The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-10-07

1890 f'~'S SIN piS NiS' VI 1890 oNNNN''S" Dh
what those plans are, time itself must develop.
From the N, o, ricayuno
THE ROUTE TO MEXICO.
Alter many weeks and even months, Of specula-
ton as to the probable duration of the war; the pub,
lc mind is sCtIling down in the conviction that we
are yet TO have a long and weansome struggle
Great hopes Of peace were built up at the north
upon the anticipated action of Santa Anna, should
he regain power in Mexico. Nov the confident be-
lef here Is that oyertures for peace have been
rejected by him, what IL equivalent, have been
referred to Congress to assemble in Mexico next
December. So there is no hope in that quarter OF
cessation Of hosti tiles.
By the arrivals on Friday, reports reached the
city both from the camp Of General Taylor and oi
General Wool, that the future movements would
depend upon orders from the War Department;
that they would lie inactive, while attempt should
be made by negotiation TO bring hostilites to a
close. We place no faith whatever in this report,
and now that the Mexican government exhibits no
Discrimination W the var, sss nothing in prospect
Tor us but vigorous prosecution Of hostlities by
every means In our power.
Under these circumstances II is natural enOug h
that the public should begin to question the policy
of the mode of warfare which have hitherto pur-
sued. Thus far since the commencement of the
war our government has adhered vigorously to the
soothing system" This policy was emnentIy
humane, and, in this aspect worthy Christian
nation and the civilization ofthe nineteenth century.
But what effect has il had upon the Mexicans whom
Il was designed to conciatel An accounts agree
that they have become more and more embttered
and are patiently and hopefully waiting for some
reverse TO occnr TO troops before falling upon
them. Those who were familiar with the Mexican
character fOfesaw and foretold this all now sat-
shed on that head.
The next question is, how shall the war be carri-
ed on henceforthl Connected with this subject we
have been interested in reading an article in the
Courier des Flats Unis, in which the editor specu-
lates upon what he thinks the most obvious policy
of Santa Anna He ventures 10 predict that Santa
Anna seeing that there is no hope Of obtaining peace
save by the cession of the CALIFORNIA; and all the
country on the eastern bank Of the Rio Grande will
obsnatey reject our oyertures. Mexico he reasons,
has everything TO gain from delay and nothing TO
lose by pursuing the war. Should Mexico meet
with further reyerses, still the terms which the Uni
ted States would exact would hardly demand more
than the surrender Of the CALIFORNIA; and the coun-
try which we have already conqueTed If, on the
other hand, Santa Anna should gain some success,
less onerous terms would be imposed upon him To
sum up, this temporizing policy costs Mexico al
most nothing, and leaves her at liberty to improve
any favorable opportunity for striking blow; while
il is runous to the United States on the score Of
expense and dlsappoins the hopes Of the people.
The policy which the Courier predicted Santa
Anna would pursue, it is now deemed certain that
he has adopted by rejecting overures Of peace.
What, then, is TO be donei all are asking. Gen
eral Taylor is pressing on upon Monterey and Sal
tlo, and these will inevitably fall into his power
The only question is, whether or not the Mexicans
will make stand for the defence Of those towns
The conquest Of chihuahua and Santa Fe, by Gen.
Wool and Gen. kearney, will prove yet easier and
all these successes canRot b. very remote But as
II Is plain that these achievements will bring the war
n"nearer to termination, what is the next step TO
be taken' We hope soon to hear from Washington
an indication Of the course to be pursued In gro
ping about ourselves for satisfactory reply to
interrogatories which in the mouths of ALL we
have REQUIRED to paper in the last number of the
New Orleans Commercial Review by the Hon. Mr.
Poinsett, formerly Secretary Of War, and minister
to Mexico. In this paper Mr.. Poinsett describes
the country north Of the city of Mexico, which lies
upon the route an army must traverse to reach
Mexico from our southern frontier or from Tam
plco. We make no apology for the length of the
extract II is interesting in ITSELF and MIR, Poinsett
looks at the country with a military eye in view
Of the present emergency:
"Monterey said to contain Is 1000 inhabitants,
Lnares, which counts about 5000, and Sauo,
now called Leona Vcario, after the heroic consort of
Quintan Roo, containing 1000 souls, are towns
pleasantly situated in the Sierra Madre and not far
from each other. Here the valles are fruitful, and
provisions abundant for the existing population.
There is no want of cattle, sheep, and goats this
part Of Mexico, and the country between Monterey
and Zacatecas abounds in focks and herds. The
latter is mining district and the capital, situated
at the foot Of an abrupt and porphyritic mountain
boasts Of noble cathedral, a magnificent town hail.
and the best mint in Mexico. It's population is COM
puted at % 900 souls and three of the most produc-
tive mines situated in its neighborhood. They
are all worked we believe, by English com panies
"The successful mining operations of Zacatecas as
is the case in athe great mining districts of Mexi-
CO, have given great impulse to the agriculture of
the surrounding country. Like other extensive
manufactures, they bring together numerous pop.
uation, and create demand for the products Of the
soil. The character Of this population, the miners
of Mexico, who, with their families wander about
the country, and settle themselves down to work
wherever they obtain the highest remuneration,
is very singular, and would require separate essay
to do justice to the subject. But wherever thew
congregate together in large numbers as in Zacate-
caa and Guanajuato, they create market for the
fruits of the EARTH South of Zacatecas is the fertile
and well cultivated district of Aguas Calientes,
which is said to produce one-fourth of the Indian
corn and one-thrd Of the beans and pepper con-
sumed in the State. The lands north and east of
Aguas Caentes, are divided into large breeding
farms, where the population is thinly scattered over
an immense tract of country. The next town of
importance is San Luis Poosi, capital of the State
of that name. 1t is surrounded by a well-cutivated
country, gardens, and villages, which may be con-
sIuereu SUBURBS OF the town, and swell the popula
ton to between so and 10000. The town itself
containing about 10000.
1.-THE governor'shousc Ia solid edfce of cut stone
--ornamented with Ionic pasters. The design and
execution very creditabe. All the principal streets
which are very neat and clean, built up with stone
houses of two stories, but like the capital, the sub
urbs consist Of low, small houses of aabes OF unburnt
brick. There is in this place spacious convent of
the wealthy order Of Carmelites. San Luis is an
important commercial city, from its position in rea-
ton to the port of Tampico and the interior States
and provinces. Zacatecas, Durango, and other
northern and western States receive large portion
of their foreign exports through TINT chnnnel