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rather than to hold its sovereignty, its rights, and its temples trampled under foot. The invincible general called by it to place himself at the head of the troops, is resolved not to survive the dishonours of

General Taylor established his head-quarters at Monterey, and took efficient measures to afford his troops some repose after their toilsome campaign. The city is admirably situated for health and recreation. The valley is not only most beautiful in point of scenery, but is rich in corn, sugar, oranges, grapes, figs, and other tropical productions. The population of the city, according to Mr. Poinsett, is fifteen thousand souls. "The valleys are fruitful and provisions abundant for the existing population. There is no want of cattle, sheep, and goats, in this part of Mexico, and the country between Monterey and Zacatecas abounds in flocks and herds. The latter is a mining district, and the capital, situated at the foot of an abrupt and porphyritic mountain, boasts of a noble cathedral, a magnificent town hall, and the best mint in Mexico. The mines are all worked by English companies."

OME difficulties between the volunteer troops of the American army and the Mexicans, which occurred soon after the occupation of the city, are worthy of notice. Both parties were no doubt to blame. The citizens were exasperated at what they considered a wholesale robbery of their property, and determined to embrace all convenient opportunities to avenge it. Hence straggling Americans were in danger of assassination. On the other hand, the volunteers, unused to the strictness of camp discipline, and elated with signal success, were disposed to look unfavourably on those whom they had conquered, and to resent, fearlessly, any thing bearing the semblance of an insult. Such feelings led to frequent

hostile collisions, and finally to murder; so that as early as the 29th of September, Governor Morales wrote to General Taylor, informing him that many complaints were daily made against the excesses committed upon the persons and property of the Mexicans by American volunteers, and specifying three cases of murder just then committed. The American commander made prompt inquiry, and ascertained the statement to be correct. He accordingly wrote back to the governor, acknowledging the fact, and signifying his determi nation to use every exertion to arrest the evil, at the same time reminding the governor of the impossibility of maintaining rigid discipline in that branch of the service. In a few days, however, nearly all the volunteers were removed from the city; and this circumstance, united with the exertions of Generals Taylor and Worth, soon arrested the evil.

The terms of capitulation met with opposition from a quarter whence

t was least expected. Government received information of the vic tory with marked displeasure. Even in the hall of congress disapprobation was expressed, and President Polk refused to sanction the clause providing for eight weeks cessation of hostilities. Notice of this was soon communicated officially to the general, together with orders to resume active operations immediately. In vindication of his course he wrote to the government an able letter, stating the relative force and condition of himself and the enemy during the siege, and the circumstances which had induced him to sign the capitulation. "Although," he says, "the main communication with the interior was in our possession, yet one route was open to the Mexicans throughout the operations, and could not be closed, as were also other minor tracks and passes through the mountains. Had we therefore insisted on more rigorous terms than those granted, the result would have been the escape of the body of the Mexican force with the destruction of its artillery and magazines, our only advantage being the capture of a few prisoners of war at the expense of valuable lives and much damage to the city. The consideration of humanity was present to my mind during the conference which led to the convention, and outweighed, in my judgment, the doubtful advantages to be gained by a resumption of the attack upon the town. This conclusion has been fully confirmed by an inspection of the enemy's position and means since the surrender. It was discovered that his principal magazine, containing an immense amount of powder, was in the cathedral, completely exposed to our shells from two directions. The explosion of this mass of powder, which must have ultimately resulted from a continuance of the bombardment, would have been infinitely disastrous involving the destruction not only of Mexican troops but of non-combatants, and even our own people had we pressed the attack.

"In regard to the temporary cessation of hostilities, the fact that we are not at this moment, within eleven days of the termination of the period fixed by the convention, prepared to move forward in force, is a sufficient explanation of the military reasons which dictated this suspension of arms. It paralyzed the enemy during a period when from the want of necessary means we could not possibly move. I desire distinctly to state and to call the attention of the authorities to the fact, that with all diligence in breaking mules and setting up wagons, the first wagons in addition to our original train from Corpus Christi, (and but one hundred and twenty-five in number,) reached my head-quarters on the same day with the secretary's communication of October 13th,-viz. the 2d instant, [Novembe..j At the date of the surrender of Monterey, our force had not more than ten days' rations, and even now, with all our endeavours, we have not more