Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-05-23
THE MEXICAN WAR.
DOCUMENTS ACCOMPANYING THE PRESI-
DENTS MESSAGE or NAY llM
ORDERS AND INSTRUCTIONS TO GEN. TAYLOR
FROM MAY 20, Is45, TO MARCH :, 1916


ORDERS AND INSTRUCTIONS TO GEN. TAYLOR
FROM MAY 2s, Isf5, TO MARCH :, 1916.
[Cou6deutia
Wan DEPARTMENT., MAY 20, IS45.
SIN am directed by the President TO the forces
now under your command and those which may be assigned
to it, be put into position where they may promptly
and efficiently act III defence OF Texas, in the shall
become proper employ them for that purpose
The information received by the Executive OF the United States
the belief that Texas will shortly accede to the terms
of annexation. As the Texan Congress shall have
given its consent xaton and convention shall assem-
BILE and accept the offered in the resolutions OF Congress-
Texas will then be regarded by the Executive Government
here far part Of the United States TO be entitled from
this Government TO defence and protection from foreign nya
sion and Indian ncusions The troops under your command
will be placed and kept readiness perform this duty
In the letter addressed you from the Autant Generals
Office of the 2st of March, you were instructed TO hold
portion Of the troops under your immediate command
dness Texas under certain contingencies, and
upon further orders from this Department In the treaty be-
tween the United and Mexico the two Governments
mutually stipulated TO all the means in their power TO
maintain peace and harmony among the Indian nations nha
biting the lands their borders, and TO restrain by force
hostes and ncursons by these nations within their respec-
tive boundaries that the would not suffer the Indians
within limits attack, any whatever the ct-
of the other, the Indians residing upon the territories
of the other See the SD article, copy of which here.
with tansmed The obgat ons which in this respect
due Mexico by this due also Texas. Should
Indians residing within the limits of the United States
either themselves associated with others, attempt any
hostile regard Texas, il will be your duty 10
employ the troops under command to repe and chasse
them and for this purpose you will give the necessary
srlctions to the military posts the upper Red river Cal
though under immediate command and, with the
appreciation Of the Texan authorities make such movements
and take such position, within the limits OF Texas
Judgment be You also directed open
immediate correspondence with the authorities Texas and
with any diplomatic agent Of the United States M should
be residing therein with to information and advice
respect to the Indian enemy, well any for
egn Power This communication and consultation with the
Texan authorities, &C. directed with view enable you
avail yourself the superior local knowledge they pos
but not for the purpose Of placing you portion Of
the forces Of the United Stae under the orders any nc
tonary in the regular line of command above you.
Should the territories of Texas be invaded by foreign Pow
err and you shall certain intelligence through func
onaes of that fact after her convention shall have acceded
the of contained the resolutions Of the
Congress of the United States, you will at employ in
the most effective your judgment may dictate, the
forces under for the defence of these
and to expel the invaders
1t is supposed here that for the purpose Of repellng
common Indian enemy, above provided for, be
necessary that should march the Sabine Upper
He'd ver a least In the first nsance) with than the
particular troops which you desired in the instructions
before referred of the 2ls March, hold in immediate
readiness for the field but is intended to restrict you
positively TO that particular of force On the contra
H according the emergency you may add any other corps
any number of companies within your department deemed
necessary, beginning with those hand and in the
contingency of foreign invasion of Texas above spec
fed other regiments from distance be ordered 10 report
you
Very respectfully, your obedent servant,
Gen. z. TAYLOR, Fort Jesup, Louisiana.
[Confdential.l
Wan DEPARTMENT, JUNE Is, ls45.
SIR On the 4th day Of July next very thereafter,
the Convention Of the people Of Texas will probably accept the
proposition OF annexation under the joint resolutions Of the
late Congress of the United States That acceptance will
constitute Texas integral portion Of country.
In anticipation Of that event. you will forthwith mako for
ward with the troops under your command, and
advance the mouth Of the Sabine such other point
the Gulf Of Mexico its navgabe waters, in your udg
may be convenient for embarcaton the pro-
per time for the western frontier of Texas.
In leaving Judgment decide the route intend
ed you choose the expeditions having due regard
the health and efficiency Of the troops reaching the point Of
destination.
The force under your immediate command and near Fort
Jesup TO be motion the receipt OF these instructions
will be the third and fourth regiments Of infantry and
companies Of the second regiment Of Dragons The alb
companies OF the fourth infantry have been ordered
join their regiments Artillery will be ordered from New
Orleans.
understood that suitable forage for cavalry be
obtained the region which the troops occupy if this
be So the Dragons leave their horses and rifle
But possible that horses Of the country
ed subss Deage forage be procured il be found
necessary. You WILL therefore, take the pecauton TO order
portion Of the cavalry equipments accompany the regiment
with view TO mounted service.
The point Of your ultimate destination is the western From
tier of Texas where you will select and occupy near
the Rio Gande del Norte, such site will with the
health Of the troops and viii be best adapted repe INVASION
and 10 protect what in the Of annexation will I've
border You will limit yourself the defence Of the
territory Of Texas unless Mexico should declare against
the United States.
Your movement 10 the Gulf Of Mexico and your prepare
tons embark for the western frontier Of Texas to be
made without any delay but you will effect landing on
that frontier until you have yourself asceaned the due accep
lance Of Texas Of the proered Of annexation until
you receive directions from Mr. Donelson.
am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEORGE BANCROFT
To Brig Gen. u. TAYLOR, U. s. Army, commanding
First Department, Fort Jesup, La
p. s. The cutters Spencer and Woodbury. have
been placed by the Treasury Department at the disposition of
Mr.. Donelson.
Wan DEraRTMEST, JuLr 8, 1s45.
Sin This Department is informed that Mexico has some
military establishments the side Of the Rio Grande
which and for time have been the actual occupan
OF her troops In carrying the instructions heretofore
received you will be careful TO avoid any aggression
unless actual state Of should exist The Mexican
forces at the posts their possession which have been So
will not be disturbed long the relations peace between
the United States and Mexico continue.
WIN. L. MARCY.
Bngadier General y. TAYLOR.
Wan DErARTnEST,
WASHINGTON, jury 30, tsf5.
AnVV Latte EAw. NJ. - A nA.l