George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Major-General United States Army
George Gordon Meade, Ed.

[61] actually left Matamoras, probably in disgust at being superseded. This Arista is one of the most powerful men in the Northern Departments of Mexico. He has more at heart the real good and welfare of the people than any other of their leaders, and is in consequence universally beloved, and can command all the resources of the country. Whilst we were at Corpus Christi, he always expressed himself to a correspondent he had there, most favorably disposed towards the United States, and most anxious to avoid a war, and to compromise the difficulties existing between the two countries. On first hearing of his appointment I was inclined to believe it was done to avoid a collision, but the mail of to-night brings the intelligence of the withdrawal of Mr. Slidell from Mexico, and the refusal of the Government to receive him. I now think Arista has been appointed with a view to calling out the rancheros, or national militia, and the object of Paredes in placing him at the head of the army is to unite the people in the impending struggle, which he now sees is inevitable. Arista was in command of the troops on the accession of Paredes, but resigned, in consequence of his opposition to the manner in which Paredes acquired his power; and recently, we understood Arista was preparing to revolutionize the Northern provinces, with a view to creating an independent confederacy. He is also said to be the firm friend of Santa Anna,¹ who is preparing to return to Mexico from his exile at the Havana. All these things render it difficult to say what his course will be on his arrival; but I am inclined to believe if he does accept the command, and finds war inevitable, that he will do all he can to unite his countrymen against our further encroachment. I continue in my impression that they will not commence the war, but I now fear, from the withdrawal of Mr. Slidell, and the President's war message, that it is Mr. Polk's² intention to force Mexico to terms, and that we shall commence the game. Indeed, I look now every mail for a large accession to our force, with orders to commence offensive operations; but upon this point you will be earlier informed than myself.

No open acts of hostility have as yet been committed against us, though one or two things have happened which would give us ample cause to act, were we disposed or instructed to do so. One of them occurred some days ago, but I accidentally omitted to mention it in