By the second week of May, U.S. consul John Black had learned of the Mexican army?s attack on U.S. troops along the Rio Grande. He reported to Washington that there were rumors that Great Britain would "do all it can" to intervene in the pending contest between the United States and Mexico.
3672
John Black, United States Consul at Mexico City, to James Buchanan, Secretary of State of the United States
No. 370 MEXICO, May 14, 1846.
SIR : I have the honor to enclose herewith, a copy of my reply to the Mexican Minister of Foreign Relations note of the 5th Inst. in answer to mine of the 1st, in relation to the order of General Ampudia of the 11th ulto. ordering the Consul of the United States and all the American citizens residing in Matamoros to leave the place within twenty four hours &c.--copies of the two first notes, were sent to the Department of State with No. 369--
The Government has published nothing about the affairs of Matamoros since the 5th Inst, up to the present time, though [sic] many reports and conjectures, some say that the Mexican army is entirely cut up and taken prisoners--that not one have escaped, this I have been told by many Mexicans, and they seem to think, that for the salvation of their country, this is their only hope, that if their army succeeds in this campaign, that there will be but little hopes for free institutions in Mexico at least for some time.
The profound silence of the Government, in relation to the operations of their army, which crossed the river, is sufficient to induce, people to believe that all is not right,--that if they had anything favorable to tell, we should soon have it published to the world, as they have made a great victory, of the Capture of Captain Thorntons party of seventy men a thing that is if they had any delicacy they would blush to hear mentioned,
Some persons here are of the opinion, that the Government, is expecting foreign aid, in this contest, how this may turn out, I cannot say--but there are those who believe that Mr. Doyle the Secretary of the English Legation here, who left this City--on the 26th Ulto to embark at Vera Cruz in the English Packet, went on a Mission relating to this subject, there is no doubt but the English will do all they can, to force themselves in as interventors in the pending question between the United States and Mexico.
In the "Diario official del Gobierno Mexicano" of yesterday which I forward with this seperately, marked No. 370; you will see published, a Circular by order of the Mexican Government; specifying that in all the Parts where armed Vessels of the United States, have heretofore appeared or shall hereafter appear, that there the functions of the Consuls and Vice Consuls, of the same shall cease, immediately and that its Citizens, shall within eight days remove twenty leagues from the Coast or within the same to embark,--
I have the honor [etc.].
