errors, and while placing his country and her defenders in the right position, do some good to the present Mexico, by pointing out in the causes, course, and results of that war, what international policy may have in reserve for Mexico, and what she should do for self-preservation. Roa Bárcena's style is clear and elegant; his conclusions are as impartial as may be espected from one who looks at the whole question from the Mexican standpoint. Nevertheless, his work is more valuable as a compilation than for depth of reflections. He quotes extensively from official documents and authorities, both Mexican and American, and does not generally flinch from giving the different accounts of events. The spirit of his first chapters is superior to that observable in the latter portion of his book, which lacks unity in plan and form.
James Henry Carleton, The Battle of Buena Vista, with the operations of the Army of Occupation for One Month, New York, 1848, pp. 238. This little work is a detailed and excellent account of the battle, from which it derives its title. The author was a captain in the 1st reg. of dragoons, who was present at the engagement, and, as he remarks, had opportunities, during the service he was called on to perform on the battle-field, of deliberate observation on many different parts of the ground. Moreover, he was encamped for eight months afterward on the same spot, and conferred with the different officers engaged. Besides these means of acquiring correct information, he has consulted the official reports of both parties, and combined the substance of them in his narrative. These authorities are generally quoted at the foot of the page, and an appendix of 78 pages is added, containing correspondence with Gen. Wool, and numerous official documents, both Mexican and American.
J. Reese Fry, A Life of Gen. Zachary Taylor, sm. 8°, pp. 332, Philadelphia, 1847. A narrative of the life of Taylor, from his birth down to the quiet occupation by him of the positions secured by the victory of Buena Vista. The author derived his information from public documents and private correspondence, which are liberally quoted. The incidents of Taylor's early years are obtained from materials collected by Robert T. Conrad. The work concludes with a number of anecdotes, illustrative of the general's habits and character.
Memoria sobre la Evacuacion Militar del Puerto de Tampico de Tamaulipas, pp. 53, is an exposition of General Parrodi, relative to the evacuation of Tampico. It was prepared in April 1843, but not published until some time later, since Parrodi waited for the publication of the Apuntes para la Historia de la Guerra, in order to refute the inaccuracies which he was aware that work would contain in its account of the abandonment of the port. Parrodi received imperative orders from Santa Anna to evacuate the place, but his prompt obedience caused great discontent; he was arrested on his arrival at San Luis Potosí, and subınitted to a court-martial. Appended to the Memoria are copies of 32 official documents.
Fuller references on Taylor's campaign are: Derecho Intern. Mex., 3d pt, 435-8; Alaman, Hist. Méj., v. 922-55; Cong. Globe, 1845-6, app. index, p. v.; 1846-7, index, 8, 17, app. index, p. 3; Bustamante, Méx. en 1848, MS., pp. i.-iv.; Id., Nuevo Bernal Diaz, i. 15, 113, ii. passim; Id., Invasion, MS., 6-14, 25-7, 50-67, 84-7; Id., Mem. Hist. Méx., MS., iv.-vi. passim, vii. 69-73, 143; Dublan and Lozano, v. 134-6, 143, 156-69, 239, 267; Rivera, Hist. Jalapa, iii. passim; Id., Gob. de Méx., ii. 252; Pinart Coll., nos 812, 851; Brito, Defensa; N. Am. Rev., lxxii. 15-59; Am. Rev., iv. 171-9; Amer., Pict. Hist. of, 30-49, 121-2; Vallejo, Col. Doc. Mex., MS., ii. no. 430; Ramsey's Other Side, 30-2, 36-9, 43-3, 57-61, 63-6, 69, 78-80, 83-5, 93-140, 259-60, 262; Roa Bárcena, Recuerdos, 32-151, 662-7; Hughes' Doniphan's Ex., 13; Guerra entre Méx. y Est. Un., 20-151; Zamacois, Hist. Méj., ix. 172, xi. 761; Young's Hist. Mex., passim; Niles' Reg., lxx.-lxxii. passim; Harrison's Battle-fields, 347-9, 438, 412; Livermore's War with Mex., 51-82, 115-22, 156-61, 287-310; Dicc. Univ. Hist. Geog., ix. 878-80, x. 467-72; San Francisco (Juan de), Vindicac., 1-41; Williard's Last Leaves, 33-6, 77-89; Abbotť's Mex. and U. S., 17-22, 63, 81,
