If the commodore of our squadron had prudently despatched his secretary and chaplain on a pacific mission of inquiry under a flag of truce, immediately upon his arrival, it is extremely probable that they would either have discovered on the 20th the newspapers they found on the 21st, or have received the commercial letter which terminated the capture. This would have prevented an angry diplomatic correspondence; it would have allayed the irritation of national sensibility, and, whilst it saved us from the imputation of attempting to intimidate a weak power, would not have subjected our forces to the mortification of mistake upon such grievous subjects as peace and war. The Mexican papers, of course, viewed the matter as a national insult; and the government gazette, published in the capital, unequivocally asserted that Commodore Jones attacked Monterey, agreeably to orders from his government, with the view of conquering California, but that finding the country in a state of defence, (for which thanks were due to President Santa Anna and his efficient minister of war,) he was obliged to abandon his plan and invent a story for his justification.[28] It is scarcely possible for a citizen of the United States to take a different view of the subject without a full knowledge of the facts; for it could hardly be believed that the commander of a naval station, during a period of profound peace, would venture to summon towns to surrender, to land forces, take prisoners, and hoist our national flag on friendly soil, without the authority or connivance of his government.[29] FOOTNOTES: [19] This river is known by various names in different authors. By some it is called Rio Bravo, by others, Rio del Norte, and by others, again, Rio Grande. I shall adhere to the latter throughout this work. [20] See the Natchez Daily Courier of 18th January, 1843, for an excellent article on Mexico, signed EGO ET ALTER. [21] Report No. 1096 to the H. of R., 27th congress, 2d session. [22] See senate documents of that session. [23] President Polk's annual message to congress, 8th Dec. 1846, p. 6. [24] See Doc. No. 139, 24 cong. 2d sess. H. of R.--Senate Doc. No. 320, 2d sess. 27 cong.--Doc. No. 57, H. of R. 27 cong. 1st sess.--Senate Doc. No. 411, 27 cong. 2d sess.--Doc. No. 1096, H. of R. 27 cong. 2d sess.--Doc. No. 158, H. of R. 28 cong. 2d sess.--Doc. No. 144, H. of R. 28 cong. 2d sess.--Senate Doc. No. 85, 29 cong. 1st sess.--Senate Doc. No. 151, 29 cong. 1 sess. [25] This paper contained the circular of the Mexican minister of foreign relations to the diplomatic corps, dated 31st May, 1842,--(answered by Mr. Thompson on the 1st of June,)--relative to public meetings in the United States favorable to Texas; the aid furnished Texas by _volunteers_ from the United States; and the trade in arms and munitions of war with Texas. Doc. No. 266, H. of R., 27th congress, 2d session. [26] See doc., No. 166, H. of R., 27th congress, 3d session, page 85.