Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-07-29

H.
And on the 14.h Sept, l845, he again
writes to the Department and says:
"An examination is now making by an
officer OF The engineers, of the country in
our front, chiefly to select suitable sites for
encampments, should it become necessary
IN that case, to change our position. Re-
connoIssances will soon be made of the
Nueces river and The Laguna Madre, to
ascertain their navigabiltty, and the ia
clllty of establishing depots in the event
OF forward movement 10 the Rio Grande. !"
And under date of l4th Oct, he gives
his views much more fully on the subject:
'For these reasons, our position thus
far has, think, been the best possible:
but now that the entire force will soon be
concentrated, 1t may we'll be question
whether the views of government will
be best carried out by our remaining at
this point. 1t is with great Difference that
make any suggestions on topics which
may become matter of delicate negota-
ton; but if our government, in settling
the question OF boundary, makes the line
of the Rio Grande an uItimatum, / can
not doubt the settlement will be greatly
facilitated and FASTENED by our taking pos
session at once of one or two suitable
points on, or quite near that river. Our
strength and state of preparation should
be displayed in a manner not to be mista.
KEN However salutary NAV be the et-
feet produced upon The border people bv
I hnr
frontier to impress the government of
Mexico with our readiness to indicate
by force of arms, if necessary, our title to
the country as far as the Rio Grande.
The army of occupation! will in a few
days, be concentrated at this point, in con-
dlion Tor vigorous and efficient SERVICE
Mexico having as yet made no positive
declaration of war, or committed an overt
act OF hostities, do not feel at liberty.
under my instructions particularly those
OF July s, 10 make a forward movement
TO the Rio Grande without authority from
the War Department.
"ln case forward movement should be
ordered or authorized, | would recommend
the occupation OF Point Isabel and Laredo
as best adapted to the purposes Of observ-
ing the course of. the river and covering
the frontier settlements of Texas"
IL propose to establish a depot on the
Nuesces river, probably at the crossing of
San Antonio and Laredo road, from which
to operate towards the Rio Grtndc.
"ln case it should be found impracicable
TO establish suitable depot on the Nues-
ces, the entire force after strengthening
San Antonio, might be thrown forward to
Point Isabel, where il could be readily sup
piled, and held in readiness for any fur
Their service.
81 have deemed it my duty to make the
above suggestions. Should they be ia
vorably considered, and instructions ba-
sed upon them, | will thank you 10 send
the latter in duplicate to Lieut. Col. Hunt,
lone copy to be despatched direct, with
out delay; the other to be sent via. Gal
weston, should steamer be- running TO that
from New Orleans.'
And after receiving the instructions sug-
gested in February, he writes as follows:
"HEADoR's ARMY OF OccUPATIoN,)
Corpus Christi, Texas,
February A, 1916.
SIR respectfully acknowledge the
communication of the Secretary of War,
dated Jan. 18th, and containing the in
structions of the President to move for
ward with my force to the Rio Grande.
shall lose no time in making the necessary
preparations for carrying out these instruc.
tions.
"The occupation of Point Isabel, or
Brazos Santiago, as depot will be indis-
pensabe. That point, and position on
or near the river opposite Matamoras,
will, think, answer all present purposes.
At any rate, | shall not separate my force
further until the position of affairs will rem.
der it entirely safe TO do 500
Now does not Gen. Taylor both suggest
and sanction this occupation of the Rio
Grande! And the President nominated
Gen. I. for Major-General, and gave him
command of the army invading Mexico,
and the people approve it. But we insist
that the move was right and proper of it.
self, and should be approved or condemned
upon its merit or demerit.
HNhh ar ol4>A NhNl o'-Dy dCts vi Coh-
gress, Of the present session, it was made
the duty of the President to nominate to
the Senate, for its confirmation, additional
officers for the regular army and for the
command of the volunteers. In dischar.
ging this duty the President has brought
upon his head the denunciations of pre-.
tended friends and foes. Members of Con.