Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-08-18

eight millions of people-much practised in war
for quarter OF century past, under The aus
pices Of her aspiring Military Caiet1ain, blind yo-
taries oflhat aMonsler Party" which had pros
lrated the Freedom of The People 30 recently
achieved, would be disposed TO treat upon just
principles. The operations ppon,he Rio Grande
in April and May, 1916, have fully demonstra-
ted the correctness OF my views.
On hearing Of the commencement OF hostliiies,
|, on the Isl OF May, 1876, wrote to The Depart
menl Of War, a letter from which will here
quote the four first paragraphs
Convinced, as am that the recent events IN
Mexico and upon the western border Of Texas,
mus. have satisfied you that my views OF The last
summer and autumn were not such as to JUSTLY
The exirajudicial reprimand with which YOU were
pleased 10 assure me OF the Presidents disapPrc-
baton of my conduct, do myselflhe honor to re.
new my application 10 concentrate upon The south
western border of Texas fifty battalions OF west
ern volunteers.
Il am under the impression that could have
the greater part OF this force concentrated upon
The Rio Gfande by The 18th Of the present month,
ready for action. This force would have The be-
nefl Of military school far superior TO ,nat al
Yves, Point-a military school that would, IN SIX
months, render every officer and soldier OF these
volunteer corps equal to the bes, OF our working
reguiars-tor at Yves! Point they do not learn 10
work, whilst in Il campaign TO the Rio Grande,
and To the city of Mexico, the history OF every
days duty would be history OF incessant labor
ON the part Of every member Of The army, from
the commanding general 10 the youngest private
soldier, incusiveIy.
81 propose 10 place this force under the COM
mand of General Taylor, or, in the event OF our
difficulties with England being settled propose
! To take command of this force myself, should The
n - ho,r To hot 10 mr.
thing TO do with any command in that quarter
without a, leas, fifty battalions-ten Of which |
propose TO be mounted-as il has long been OBJ
vous TO me, that no decisive good can resultirom
placing upon thai frontier, lorce unable TO mann
tain the attitude of proud defiance upon The whole
frontier bordering upon Mexico, and able TO put
down all opposition.
"a purely defensive policy cannot be main
tanned with such a nation as Mexico, without
ample force TO punish such bandits as have Tor
many years past marked The character OF many
Of the armed men Of tina, miserable nation; and
il necessary to follow them into The heart oil their
country, and al the same time 10 protect The good
citizens of the country against this lawless rabbe."
II will be seen by the message of the President
OF the Uned States Of the llth OF May, 1916
that Gen. Taylor had been instructed in August,
As, 'as u precautionary measure" against Inva-
sion, il The emergency required il, 10 accept Inc
services OF volunteers from several Of The States
These instructions were repeated in January, ano
on the ID day OF March, l6i6-an extract follows
GAS war exists and, Notwithstanding all our
efforts TO avoid il, exists By the act ot Mexico
herself, we are called upon by every consdera-
ton OF duty and patriotism, 10 vindicae with de-
cision the honor, Ii rights, and the interests o
our country Anticipating the possibility OF
crisis like that which has arrived, instructions
were given in August last 'as precautionary
measure against invasion or threatened invasion,
authorizing Gen. Taylor, il the emergency re-
Quired, to accept volunteers, not only from Tex
as, but from the States of Louisiana, Alabama,
Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky; and cor
responding letters were addressed to the respec-
tive Governors Of those States. These instruc-
lions were repeated, and in January last, soon
after the incorporation OF Texas into our Union
Of States Gen. Taylor was further authorized
by the President 10 make requisition upon
The Executive OF that State Tor such OF It's mill
tia force as may be needed 10 repel invasion or to
secure the country against apprehended inva-
eien' On The ID day o. March he was again
reminded, lin The event OF the approach OF any
considerable Mexican force, promptly and ELL
cienlly 10 use the authority with which he was
clothed TO call TO him such auxiliary force as ne
might need War actually existing, and our ter
ritory having been invaded, Gen. Taylor, pursll-
ant 10 authority vested in him by my direction,
has called on the Governor OF Texas for four re.
giments of State troops, two to be mounted and
Two TO serve on foot, and on the Governor OF Lou
isiana for regiments Of Infantry, 10 be sent 10
10 him as soon al practicable.
ain further yindicaion OF our rights, and de-
fence of our territory, | invoke The prompt &C
ZION OF Congress TO recognise the existence of The
war, and 10 place at The disposition OF the Tx
executive The means Of prosecuting The war with
yisor, and thus fastening the restoration OF peace
To This end recommend that authority snouiu
be given 10 call into the public service large
body OF Volunteers, 10 serve for not less than SIX
or twelve months, unless sooner discharged. n
volunteer force is, beyond question, more ethcienl
than any other description OF citizen soldiers =
and il is not 10 be doubted that a number far be-
yond that required would readily rush 10 the held
upon the cali Of their country. Ifurther recon-
mend that liberal provision be made Tor sus-
tanning our military force and furnishing 1t with
supplies and munitions OF war.
1.-THE most energetic and prompt measures, ana
The immediate appearance in arms OF large
and overpowerng force are recommended 10 Con-
gress as the most certain and efficient means OF
bringing The existing collision with Mexico TO
speedy and successful termination.
ain making these recommendations, deem II
proper to declare that il is my anxious desire not
all matters in dispute between this Government
and Mexico to an early and amcable adjustment,
and in this view shall be prepared 10 renew ne
gotiatious whenever Mexico shall be ready TO
receive propositions, or 10 make propositions oil
her own.
81 transmit herewith copy Of the correspon-
dence between our Envoy 10 Mexico, and The
Mexican Minister for Foreign Affairs, and so
much OF the correspondence between the Envoy
and The Secretary of Stale, and between the Sc
crelary Of War, and The General III command on
the Del Norie, as are necessary 10 full under
standing of the subject"
(Sirned,) JAMES X. POLK.
And why did General Taylor hesitate so long to
comply with the discretionary power given him
To call for volunteers Not having The benefit OF
General Taylor's testimony upon this point, will
take leave here TO express, what have often else
where nlimated as my settled conviction, that The
peculiar character of The delicate trust contded TO
General Taylor rendered il probable that ne
,ro,lM nat Sec because he could not see ccisetv me
proper lime to call for volunteers, unlti me aeiuGs
Commencement of hostiiities. He could not ieel
discussed 10 incur the censure oil calling out S,0UO
or 10 ono volunteers. at an expense of some mil
lions OF dollars, without being previously assured
that war would be soon commenced. He was
always ready and willing TO meet The hfst shock
Of war with whatever force the Government
might see fit to place under his command. There
are, / apprehend, some few party presses, and
party men, who would not be disposed 10 &c.
upoI the principle, that the work of preparation
for the defence Of the frontier should always take
place before the ,rork Of destruction shall nave
begun or may have been completed. These vo
tares Of parties tactics might assail the wisdom;
or question the chivalry Of an.officer who would
no, BE- satisfied 10 60 any ,edere with whatever
force his Government might see fiji to place under
him. That was an error under which labored,
until after had arrived al the age OF General
TAYLOR. But have since been convinced OF The
propriely of an officer charged with any enter
prise being furnished with ample means for lis
accomplishments and, in case like that of &C.
neral Taylor, being required at all lines 10 have
an army fully equal 10 the estimated numerical
forces opposed to him, or such forces as it is pro-
babe may speedily be concentrated upon the
threatened frontier.
Ihave stated elewhere, and TO This Court, that
on hearing OF the outbreak Of the war; and The
..:,:.,I -;s,,.;on of General Tavlor,s Army in