Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 28.djvu/263

 'federate Treat;/. 257

man and a driver. I then offered my Mexican agent $100 in gold if lie would place Pless on the Texas side of the river, so that I could -t him, and suggested that some of my men might assist him, but that I would not order him to do so, nor did I wish to know how it u MS done, so it was done quickly.

"The following night the Mexican scout brought Pless to my headquarters and I arrested him. He was very much frightened and implored me to protect him, saying that he would willingly go to Houston. I sent him off that night, under guard, and he was safely delivered to General Magruder at that place.

"The Mexican authorities were indignant at what they deemed the invasion of the sacred soil of Mexico by Americans, and demanded the immediate release of Pless. This I refused, stating that I had arrested him in my headquarters in obedience to an order of my com- manding general, and that he was at that time more than 100. miles on his way to Houston.

"On receipt of my refusal the commanding officer at Piedras Ne- gras organized a blockade of the port; arrested all Americans that happened to be in Piedras Negras at that time, a few of my soldiers being among the number; sent out for reinforcements and announced his intention to attack my command. I at once ordered in what troops there were at Fort Clark and Inge and prepared for a strong defence. In the meantime communications, under a flag of truce, were passing two or three times a day between the Mexican com- mander and myself for four days, trying to amicably settle matters and to gain time for reinforcements to reach me. On the fifth day I was ready, and notified the Mexican officer in command that I had a strong force and that if the port were not opened in two hours and every American in prison released and allowed to return to the Texas side of the river, and an agreement to deliver to me the stolen stock, then a few miles above Piedras Negras, I would cross the river with my troops and take the town, and hold all the Mexican prop- erty I could find as security until the stolen property was delivered to me. I at once ordered my entire command to prepare to move. I had them mounted and formed in line on the banks of the river in full view of the Mexicans.

"Just before the expiration of the two hours the port was opened, and the Americans who had been detained released, and my adju- tant brought me a note from the commanding officer, saying that he had just received a note from President Juarez authorizing him to make a treaty with me on the basis I had suggested, and asking for