Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/97

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INTERVIEW BETWEEN WORTH AND LA VEGA.

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be definitely settled. An interview with General Mejia was refused, but General Worth was met on the right bank of the river, by General La Vega, who was attended by the Licenciádo Casares, representing the civil authorities of Matamoras, and several other persons. The dispatch of General Taylor was read to General La Vega, who was also told by General Worth, that he was directed to deliver it to the commanding officer at Matamoras. This was refused; whereupon General Worth, having been informed that the American consul was at liberty, and in the exercise of his official functions, demanded an interview with him, in the name of his government. The demand was not complied with, and the American general returned, and reported the result of his mission to General Taylor.^[1]

↑ The following extracts from the minutes of the interview between Generals Worth and La Vega, show with what pertinacity the Mexicans persisted in maintaining on this occasion, that there was no war, although, as they alleged, so many acts of hostility had been committed. (House of Rep. Exec. Doc. 196, p. 114, 1st session, 29th Congress:)

General Worth. Is the American consul in arrest, or in prison? General La Vega. No. — General Worth. Is he now in the exercise of his proper functions? — General La Vega. (after apparently consulting with the Licenciádo Casares for a moment) replied that he was. — General Worth. Then, as an American ofﬁcer, in the name of my government and my commanding general, I demand an interview with the consul of my country. (No reply.) — General Worth. Has Mexico declared war against the United States? — General La Vega. No. — General Worth. Are the two countries still at peace? — General La Vega. Yes — General Worth. Then I again demand an interview with the consul of my government, in Matamoras, in the presence, of course, of these gentlemen, or any other that the commanding general in Matamoras may be pleased to designate.

"General La Vega reiterated that the consul was in the proper exercise of his functions; that he was not in arrest, nor were any other Americans in arrest in Matamoras; that he would submit the demand to General Mejia, adding, that he thought there would be great difficulty.

[D97-1] The following extracts from the minutes of the interview between Generals Worth and La Vega, show with what pertinacity the Mexicans persisted in maintaining on this occasion, that there was no war, although, as they alleged, so many acts of hostility had been committed. (House of Rep. Exec. Doc. 196, p. 114, 1st session, 29th Congress:)

General Worth. Is the American consul in arrest, or in prison? General La Vega. No. — General Worth. Is he now in the exercise of his proper functions? — General La Vega. (after apparently consulting with the Licenciádo Casares for a moment) replied that he was. — General Worth. Then, as an American ofﬁcer, in the name of my government and my commanding general, I demand an interview with the consul of my country. (No reply.) — General Worth. Has Mexico declared war against the United States? — General La Vega. No. — General Worth. Are the two countries still at peace? — General La Vega. Yes — General Worth. Then I again demand an interview with the consul of my government, in Matamoras, in the presence, of course, of these gentlemen, or any other that the commanding general in Matamoras may be pleased to designate.

"General La Vega reiterated that the consul was in the proper exercise of his functions; that he was not in arrest, nor were any other Americans in arrest in Matamoras; that he would submit the demand to General Mejia, adding, that he thought there would be great difficulty.

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