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leave of two months. He will leave in a few days for Kentucky, his home, and return here at the end of his leave if he should be well enough.
The papers from New Orleans bring us the inaugural address of the new President of Mexico, Herrera, in which he gives up the whole affair, says ‘the usurped territory is occupied by our forces, but that the internal state of Mexico is such that they cannot redress by arms their grievances, to which they must submit, and calls upon the Mexicans to wake from their lethargy, and prepare themselves to resist any further invasion of their territory.’
This is acknowledging they can do nothing, and are ready to negotiate, so I suppose the question of war is settled; but, unfortunately, that will not break up this force here.
It will doubtless be kept here till negotiations upon the subject of boundary are brought to a close, and then a certain portion of it will be stationed on the frontier, as settled by treaty, and the rest dispersed over the country at their old stations.
In the meantime we, the Topographical Engineers, will be kept here as long as it is kept together, and then ten to one but we are retained to trace the boundary line in conjunction with Mexican officers; so that I have the pleasant prospect of spending a year here, at the least, if not more.
Well, if God will only grant me good health, I will not complain.
It is very expensive for me, and in that light is objectionable; but I suppose, if I were not here, I should be somewhere else separated from you, and perhaps with you not as advantageously situated as you are now.
camp at Corpus Christi, Texas, November 3, 1845.
When I last wrote to you I was not well; indeed, I had been quite unwell, though I was about and in motion.
I am glad to say I am now quite well again, having gotten entirely rid of my cold and cough, and I trust, with a little prudence and precaution, to keep well.
We have no news at all, there is a complete stagnation in such matters.
The orders have been received from Washington to put the troops in as comfortable winter quarters as can be made, and the only excitement now is, whether this will be done here, or whether we shall be dispersed over the country in places where there is more timber and better water.
That the army is not to be recalled this winter is, however, certain; but for what purposes we are kept here, or how long our stay will be, is still indefinite.
I trust, however, 