On these pages we present the principal figures of the Mexican War as depicted by artist Margaret Garcia, along with explanatory text.

THOMAS ap CATESBY JONES
(1790-1858)

While commander of the Pacific Squadron, U. S. Navy, in 1841, Jones received reports of an impending war between the United States and Mexico. Compounding the issue was the British fleet's mysterious departure from Callao, Peru, in early September and rumors that Great Britain intended to seize California for debts owed by Mexico to Great Britain. Using the Monroe Doctrine as justification, Jones proceeded to Monterey, California where on 19 October 1842 he seized the town to forestall British designs. Upon learning that no war existed, Jones promptly returned the town to Mexican authorities. In October, 1843 he returned to Washington, D. C. to face a congressional censure for his actions in Monterey.

JOHN DRAKE SLOAT
(1781-1867)

A veteran of the War of 1812, in 1844 Commodore Sloat assumed command of the Pacific Squadron. His orders instructed him to seize Monterey and secure the San Francisco Bay (then known as Yerba Buena) as soon as he received news of hostilities between the United States and Mexico. The embarrassing seizure by Commodore Jones in 1842 made Sloat cautious about committing a similar faux pas. On 17 May 1846, while at Mazatlan, Sloat heard rumors of fighting along the Rio Grande, but he waited for more definitive word. Hearing of Sloat's delay, U. S. Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft reprimanded him for his "most unfortunate and unwarranted inactivity" but Sloat did not receive word of the reprimand until he had finally acted to carry out his orders.