xii. PREFACE. 



The narrative of the Texan expedition sent against New Mexico in the 

 spring of 1843, with its mishaps, and conflicts with the Mexicans and In- 

 dians, added to a statement of its surrender to the U. S. Dragoons, and the 

 causes which led to its final dispersion, will doubtless claim attention, as 

 being the only account of it hitherto published. 



In his notes of travel it has been the author's endeavor to avoid prolixity ; 

 and, while his acting motto has been to say as much as possible in a few 

 words, he has not withheld full descriptions of the various scenes and coun- 

 tries that met his view during his lengthy excursion. He is well aware 

 that his style is partially deficient in the ease and gracefulness peculiar to 

 some writers ; but here he would offer no apology — it is his own, and for 

 it he neither asks the favor of critics nor expects their lenity. 



Fully persuaded that a work of this kind will prove acceptable at the 

 present time, the author would fain believe the public in general are more 

 regardful of its intrinsic merits than of the garb in which it appears, and 

 with these observations he is content to abide the result. 



New-York, July, 1846. 



