Cily, in the ni~ht of Lhe 16th inst: Such occurrences ~lay, for a fow days, impair in the eyes of the public, and what would he more regretahle, before the Superior Powers of the Stale, the good name of this merilorious populalion. Still I am confident that, after an impartial inquiry into Lhe facts, and with an exact knowledge of the peculiar circumstances under which we acted, it will be acknowledged that we could not do otherwise, without endangering the peace and sccurily of Lhese honest citizens who, among many sacrifices, had willingly made that of their lives, and would have fallen victims of the national cause. Eight hours after the ueparlure from this City of the party of 25 men of Militia, which movement J reported on the 16th inst: at the same time that I announced the arrival among us of his Excellency the Vice Governor Citizen Ramon i\lusquis, a communication, copy of which is inclosed (Marked No. ]) was delivered to me Ly a subaltern officer. Desirous lo preserve good harmony with the military authority, I sought, al once, an interview with the Commanding Officer, for the purpose of making with him some arrangements whereby our mutual responsibility might he covered, and the honor of both the Sovereign authorities of the Stale, and the Federal Army, Secured. However I was unsuccessful, and withdrew to consult with some of the notable citizens and the members of the Ayuntamiento. I waited also on Senor Musquis, in whose house I met several friends with whom we were conversing, when the Commanding Officer entered and took part in the conversation. We entreated him to desist his enterprise, but vain w1~re our prayers, and after having wasted two hours in fruitless parleys,] returned to the Consistorial Buildings, wherefrom I directed lo the Commanding Officer the Communication hereto annexed (under No. 2) which was answered by the note marked Nu. 3. Hoping still lo succede in averting the indignity intended against the Sovereignty of the Stale and a people of freemen, T wr~te to the officer the communication herein enclosed under No. 4, to which No. 5 is an answer, and in which, as you will see, it is positively stated that hostilities are considered as unavoidable. I then, concluded upon writing to the Commander of Ow party of Militia who could not be at more than 5 leagues from tlw City, a note conceived in krms as vague as possible, lo inslrucl him lo retrace his steps, Lut nut to
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