The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-11-03
FROM THE CINCINNATI CHRONICLE.

There are certain facts connected with
the movements of the Government and
the army ofwhich we must remind our
readers, in order to keep them advised of
the true state of things.
1t is now notorious that I'LL within two
or three weeks Mr.. Polk's administration
lived in constant hopes of making a treaty
with Santa Anna, whose supremacy in
Mexico was considered certain. For
this purpose q regular INTRIGUE was car
ried on with that chieltain. Messengers
passed to and fro between the Napoleon
of Mexico and the President Of the Z
nited States. At a time when the two
nations were al swords points, the Mexi-
can chief, Santa Anna, was allowed to
pass quietly, peaceably, and lovingly
through the American fleet, and land in
Mexico, to take command of her forces !
While this intrigue was going on, Gen.
Taylor was beyond doubt advised by the
Government Of what the President cx-
pected, and he was, of course, not at all
hurried IN his movements.
In the mean while, about three weeks
since, the President became fully aware
that his intrigue with Santa Anna had
failed Of the expected results. He ac-
cordlngly started up, in great surprise
an internal exclamation. 'Perfdious Mex
leans War. WAR;" The result of
this determination Of Mr.. Polk and his
advisers was orders TO Gen. Taylor 10
hasten his operations, and march boldly
forward.
But about the time this change was
made at Washington the army had reach
ed Monterey, and the bloody battle there
was fought and won. The commander.
Gen. Taylor, knew nothing of this
change, and of course thought that the
armistice he had made was the best step
towards peace. While his messenger is
carrying the news ofthe battle of Monte
rey to Washington, the Presidents mes
senger is CARRYING him fresh orders tolad-
vance into Mexico, and hasten active op-
erations. These messengers probably
crossed one another.
In the mean while the Union contin-
ues 10 say that the war is TO be carried on
more actively, and the advance into Mex
leo continued If this be the case, the
volunteers not yet called INTO service must
be ordered 10 Mexico, and a very much
larger supply OF subsistence provided.
AS to The Armisticc,iis terms cannot be
violated with honor The words are, no
advance shall be made within "eighi
weeks or until the orders or instructions"
Of the respective Governments are re-
ceived. Now, this does not refer to the
orders then on the way 10 Tayior, but
tn those he should receive from the Presi-
deut after the latter had received his des-
patches. Five or six weeks must there
fore elapse, after The battle Of Monterey,
before any advance could be made by the
army.
This is the present state of things.
In order to give the reader clear idea
of the chief danger 10 the American army.
and the main obstruction in the way Of
their march to Mexico by their present
route, we copy the following extract
from the Cincinnati Daily Chronicle,
whose editor Mr.. Mans6elcD was for
merIy, if we mistake not, an officer Of tile
United States army:
I've assume that Gen. TAYLOR is at
Monterey. Ii there has been battle we
have no doubt he has been Victorious
We have none Of the doubts winch ap-
pear TO be felt in some quarters about the
dangers and difficulties of the army. The
army is able to take care of itself, so far
as battles are concerned. That is not
the difficulty. The difficulty is the
length of the line of operations, and eve
ry step into that difficulty. The reader
WHO has never thought Of military matters
will easily perceive the truth Of these
facts:
81. An army must be supplied with
provisions from its rear. In the present
instance there is no prospect Of getting
provisions from the Mexicans. The
country through which Gen. Taylor is to
move is lhinly populated and poor. The
supplies OF the army must be derived
fran New Orleans. The line of supply
is, therefore an immense onc.
50. A train of baggage wagons may
be cut off by very small party of men.
A Guerilla warfare adopted by the Mexi-
cans would be the most effectual one.
80. HlolIows from this that Gent. can
not safely leave any part of his line Of
supply beyond the Rio Grande uncover
ed. II is not case in which Spartan
band are simply to cut their way through
an enemy's line. Itis a case in which
large part OF the army must be continu-
ally engaged in getting supplies and de-
Tending them. Every post and every
town Gen. Taylor conquers, then. must
be defended by troops left behind. At
every step he advances, then, his army is
diminished and the difficulties OF supplies