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States could not possibly defeat the Mexican Army on its own soil.”
    *
    The deck officer appeared at the doorway with the two Englishmen. Consul Giffard was a tall, lean man with a long nose and a wide mouth that turned down at the ends and gave him a sour expression. Fleet Commander Matson was also leanly built, but of ordinary height, and where Giffard appeared a sourpuss, Matson presented an unreadable military expression to the Americans.
    Matson came into the room, glanced past the junior officers, and immediately went to Commodore Conner and offered his hand. “Good to see you again, Commodore.”
    â€œAnd you to, Captain Matson.” Conner replied. “I would like to introduce you to General Scott.”
    Matson took Scott’s offered hand. “I’ve heard much about you, General Scott. My father has told me stories about fighting you Americans back in 1815. He met you while you were our guest after the battle of Lundy’s Lane.”
    â€That is a very polite way of putting my stay with you as a prisoner, Commander Matson,” Scott said.
    Matson nodded at that and spoke. “General Scott, I would like to introduce British Consul Giffard.”
    Scott turned to the second Englishman. “It’s kind of you to come, Consul Giffard.” He offered his hand to the Englishman.
    â€œThank you, General Scott.” Giffard shook Scott’s hand and quickly released it.
    Seeming not to notice the brief handshake, Scott motioned at two empty chairs against the bulkhead. “Please both of you draw up seats and be comfortable as we talk. I’ve asked my officers to be present, if that meets with your approval.”
    â€œMost certainly,” Giffard said as he and Matson drew chairs up to the table.
    â€œCommander Matson, you signaled that you wished for this meeting, so would you please begin,” said Scott.
    â€œThe signal wasn’t for me, but rather for Consul Giffard,” said Matson.
    â€œAh, I see,” Scott said. He focused on Giffard. “Then, sir, would you inform me of its purpose. I suppose they concern your nation’s possessions in Veracruz and elsewhere in the nation.”
    Giffard’s dour expression remained. “Yes, that is precisely so for we have many valuable investments here and my government would take it seriously if they were to be damaged. And it appears that from all of the American ships and soldiers gathered here and at Anton Lizardo that you plan to attack Veracruz and Ulua.”
    â€œThat’s correct, should they not surrender to me,” Scott said. “That will be my first step to force the Mexican government to the bargaining table and bring about a resolution to our disputes.”
    â€œGeneral Scott, that is exactly why I’m here. I’m in a position to help in this situation for the Mexicans officials trust me and I can speak freely with them. So if you should care to enumerate those disputes to me in written form, then I believe I can be of assistance in resolving them without your invasion of the country.”
    â€œThe disputes and issues are well known.” Scott tone was hard. “And we have tried in many ways to resolve them. There’ll be no negotiations with lower level Mexican officials, only with the president himself and the representatives of their congress.”
    â€œBut, General, I do believe that I can be of assistance to you.”
    â€œYou can indeed be of help.” Scott’s voice had hardened another notch. “Recommend to the Mexican military that they surrender Veracruz and Ulua to me, and do it promptly before I launch an attack. In that way your possessions in the city will be spared any damage that might occur by an inadvertent stray cannon ball.”
    â€œI couldn’t do that. They would think me mad for they are very strongly fortified.” Giffard said, and a scowl creased his brow as if the very thought of doing such a thing was