CHAPTER VIII.--General Taylor ordered to the Rio Grande--History of Texan boundaries--Origin of the war--Military preparations-- Commencement of hostilities--Battles of Palo Alto and Resaca-- Matamoros--Taylor's advance--Fall of Monterey, 334 CHAPTER IX.--General Wool inspects and musters the western troops--Army of the Centre--New Mexico--Kearney--Macnamara-- California--Frémont--Sonoma--Californian independence-- Possession taken--Sloat--Stockton--A revolt--Pico--Treaty of Couenga--Kearney at San Pascual--is relieved--Disputes--San Gabrielle--Mesa--Los Angeles--Frémont's character, services, trial, 342 CHAPTER X.--Valley of the Rio Grande--Santa Anna at San Luis--Scott commander-in-chief--Plan of attack on the east coast--General Scott's plan--Doniphan's expedition--Bracito-- Sacramento--Revolt in New Mexico--Murder of Richie--Selection of battle ground--Description of it--Battle of Angostura or Buena Vista--Mexican retreat--Tabasco--Tampico, 350 CHAPTER XI.--Santa Anna's return--changes his principles--Salas executive--Constitution of 1824 restored--Paredes--Plans of Salas and Santa Anna--his letter to Almonte--his views of the war--refuses the Dictatorship--commands the army--State of parties in Mexico--Puros--Moderados--Santa Anna at San Luis--Peace propositions--Internal troubles--Farias's controversy with the church--Polko revolution in the capital-- Vice Presidency suppressed--Important decree, 358 CHAPTER XII.--General Scott at Lobos--Landing at and siege of Vera Cruz--Capitulation and condition of Vera Cruz--Condition of Mexico--Alvarado, etc., captured--Scott's advance-- Description of Cerra Gordo--Mexican defences and military disposal there--Battle of Cerro Gordo--Peroté and Puebla yield--Santa Anna returns--Constitution of 1824 readopted-- Mexican politics of the day--War spirit--Guerillas--Peace negotiations--Santa Anna's secret negotiations, 370 CHAPTER XIII.--Scott at Puebla--Tampico and Orizaba taken-- Scott's advance--Topography of the Valley of Mexico--Routes to the capital--El Peñon--Mexicalzingo--Tezcoco--Chalco--Outer and inner lines around the city--Scott's advance by Chalco--The American army at San Augustin, 381 CHAPTER XIV.--Difficulties of the advance--The Pedregal--San Antonio--Hacienda--Relative position of American and Mexican armies--Path over the Pedregal to Contreras--Valencia disconcerts Santa Anna's plan of battle--American advance and victory at Contreras--San Antonio turned by Worth--Battle of Churubusco--Battle at the Convent and Tete de Pont--Their capture, 391