Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-12-15

more than they have heretofore done. At
lts commencement, it was deemed pr oper
10 conduct il in spirit Of forbearance and
libsra.ity. With this end in view, early
measures were adopted 10 conciliate, as far
m state Of war would permit, the mass of
the Mexican popuiation:to to convince them
that the war was not waged ag1inst the
peaceful inhabitants of Mexic, but against
their faithless government, which had COM
menced hostilitics; to remove from their
minds the false impression, which their de-
signing and interested rulers had artfully
attempted 10 make; that the war on our
part was one Of conquest-ihat it was q
war against their religion and their church.
es, which were to be desecrated and over
thrown, and that their rights of person and
private property would be violated. To
remove these false impressions, our com.
manders in the field were directed scrupul
ously to respect their religion, their church
es and their church property, which were
in no manner to be violated. They were
directed also to respect the rights of persons
and the property OF all who should not take
up arms against us
Assurances to this effect were given to
the Mexican people by MINOR Gen. Taylor,
in o proclamation issued in pursuance Of
instructions from the Secretary of War, in
the month Of June, 1916, and again by
Major General Scott, who acted upon his
own convictions Of the propriety of issuing
it in proclamation Of the 1lth Of May,
l8i7. In this spiri: Of liberality and con-
md ,r,;fh fr,
b16y 5f the Mexican population from taking
un arms against us-was the war conducted
on our part.
Provisions and other supplies furnished
10 our army by Mexican citizens were paid
for at fair and libera. prices agreed upon by
the parties. After the lapse of a few
months il become apparent that these as
surances and this mild treatment had failed
TO produce the desired effect upon the Mex
icnn population. While the war has been
conducted on our part according to the
most humane and liberal princi pies, OBJ
served by civilized nations, it was waged
in a far different spirit on the part Of
Mexico.
Not appreciating our forbearance, the
Mexican people generally became hostile
to the United States, and availed themsel-
YES Of every opportunity TO commit the
most savage excesses upon our troops.
Large numbers of the population took up
arms, and engaged in q uerrilla warfare,
robbed and murdered in the most cruel
mnnner individual soldiers or smalleparties
whom accident or other causes had separ-
nted from the main body Of our army
Bands of Guerrillas and robbers infested
the road, harrassed our trains, and when
ever it was in their power cut off our sup
plies. a.r
The Mexicans have thus shown them
selves to be wholly incapable of aPprecia-
ting our forbearance and liberality, it was
deemed proper to change the manner OF
conlaacting the war, by making them feel
its pressure according to the usages observ-
ed under similar circumstances by all 9TH
er civilized nations. Accordingly, as
early as the 22d Of September, ls46, in
ssructions were given by the Secretary OF
War to Mnj. Gen. Taylor to draw supplies
for our army from, the enemy, paying Tor
them, and to require contributions for It's
support, If in that why he was satisfied he
would get abundant supplies for his forces.
In directing -ihe-execution oil these Ia
sarucaions, much was necessarily left to the
discretion of the commanding officer, who
was best acquainted with the circumstan-
ces by which he was surrounded, the wants
of the army and the prac:icability OF en-
forcing the measure.
Gen. Taylor, on the 26th of October,
Ia46 replied from Monterey, that it would
have been impossible hitherto, and is now,
to sustain the army to any extent bsy iorc-
ed contributions ofmoney or supplies For
the reasons assigned by him he did not
adopt the policy Of his Instructions but he
declared his readiness to do SO, should the
army in its future operations reach a por-
tion Of the country which may be made to
supply the troops, with advantage. lie
continued to pay for the articles OF supply
which were drawn from the eneiny's
county,
Similar instructions were issued to Maj.
Gen. Scott. on the 3d Of April, l547, who
replied from Jalapa on the 20th Of May,
1S47, that if it be expected that the army
is TO support itself by forced contributions
levied upon the country, we may ruin and
exaspernte the inhabitants and starye our
selves. The same discretion was given to
him that had been to General Taylor in
this respect. Gen. Scott, for the reasons
assigned by him also continued to pay Tor
the articles of supply for the army, which
were drawn from the enemy.
After the army had reached the heart
of the most wealthy portion Of Mexico, it
was supposed that the obstacles which had
before that time prevented it, would not be
such as to render impracticable the levy Of
forced contributions for its support, and on
the lst of September, and agan on the 9Th
ofOctober, ls47, the order was repeated
in dispatches addressed by me Secretary
Of War to Gen. Scott, and his attention
was again called 10 the importance ofmak-
ing the enemy bear the burdens ofthe war,
by requiring them TO furnish the means Of
supporting our army, and he was directed
to adopt this policy, unless by doing so
there was danger OF depriving the army of
the necessary supplies. Copies of these
dispatches were forwarded to Gen. Taylor
for his government. =
On the 3lst of March last, l caused an
order to be issued to our military and naval
IL E..