Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-03-30

this force, every military must admit who has zee
the ground n entirely impossible invest Montere
closely as to prevent the escape OF tho garrison. Al
| housh the main communication with the inferior /
our possession, yet open The Mexican
throughout the operations. aud could be kept cosed
- were also ohef inor tracks and passes Through IN
mountains. Had we, therefore, insisted on more rieu
rous than those granted the result would have bee
the escape OF the great body OF the Mexican force,
the destruction OF its artillery aud our only ad
vantage being the capture Of few prisoners th
expense valuable lives and much damage TO the CITY,
The consideration Of humanity present to my mnc
during the conference which led TO the convention aud
ou~eghed In my judgment the doubtful advantages TO b
gained by resumption Of the attack upon the town.
This conclusion has been fully confirmed by inspection
OF the enomy's position snd since the surrender
was discovered that his principal magazine, containing
mmese amount OF powder. was in the Cathedral
exposed TO our shells from two directions. The
sion OF this OF powder which have ultimately re-
suited from continuance of the bombarjmen would have
been Infinitely DISASTROUS involving the destruction not on
yoi Mexican troops, but OF ncn-cOmbaants and even our
| own people had we pressed the attack.
In regard to the temporary cessation Of hosutes the
TACT that We arc not this moment within eleven DAYS OF
the termination OF the period fixed BY the cony, ton
pared to move forward IN force sufficient
OF ho n,aIY reasons which dictated this suspension
arms IL paravzed the enemy durine rcricd when from
the want OF necessary means could not possibly
desire distinctly Go and call attention OF the
authorities 10 the fact that with ali diligence IN breaking
mules and Getting wagons, wagons in addition
TO cur original tram from Corpus Chrisu (and but 1876 m
nnmoer,) reached my headquarters the same day with
the Secfearys communication OF October l3 viz: the ID
last AT the date OF the surrender OF Monterey our force
has not more Than ten days aud now with all
our endeavofs, we have more than twenty i've The
,nsk OF hshnng and beaing the among the least
difficult that the great question of supplies
necessarily controls all the operations in country like
'hs' AT THk DATE OF rHE CONVENTION COULD NOT. or
S'Vksh' HAVE fokEsEkN THAT rHE DEPARTMENT
Rk'r An IMPORTANT DETACHMENT COMMAND WITH
oUr COMPUTING Ne, Or WITHOUT WAITING OF
rHE MAIN OPERATION UNpES oKpEks
have touched the prominent military points involved in
the convention OF Monterey. There other consde
ranons which weighed with the commissioners in framing
and with myself IN approving, the articles OF
ton In the conference with Gen. Ampudn, was distinct
told by him that he had Invited spare the further ef
fusion OF blood and because Gen Santa Anna mad decar
ed himself favorable peace knew that govern
ment had made propositions OF Mexico TO negotiate
and deemed that the change OF government coun
Try since my last instructions fully warranted
tanning considerations OF policy. Ny grand in NOV
ing forward with very limited supplies had TO increase
the inducements Of the Mexican government 10 negotiate
Tor peace. Whatever may be the actual views DISPOSE
hon o the Mexican rulers or OF Gen. santa Anna,
NOT UNKNOWN GOVERNMENT THAT HAD rHE ,EEY
BEST RKhsoN BELIEvING STATEMENT OF GEN. AN
funA To * True IL was my opinion the time Of
convention and II has been changed that the liberal
treatment Of the Mexican army suspension OF arms
would exert but favorable influence in our behalf
The result OF The operation has been throw the
Mexican army back more than 800 miles 10 the city Of San
Luis Poos and open the country US lar as we
choose 10 penetrate II, up 10 the same point.
| IL has been my purpose IN this communication
much 10 defend the from the ccnsure which
deeply regret find implied in the Sccrearys letter. as to
show that adopted without cogent reasons most
uI Nhlch occur OF themselves 10 the minds
acquainted with the condition things here To that end
beg be land before the Grneran-chief and Sec
| retary OF War.
lam, sir, very respectfully, your obedien, servant,
| d. TAYLOR,
MAJOR General L. $ Army Comd'g.
| The ADIUrANr GESEsAL OF the Army
| Washington, d. c.
There expressions in the foregoing letter. which
we have printed CAPITALS, worthy Of special con-
sideraion.
The first refers OF improper and dangerous in
reference, the part Of the Government OF Washington
which it seems, detached from General Tayor's COM
mand important portion OF his troops, without con
suting him, and without awaiting the result of his main
operaonsan interference wholly urjusdfable II not un
prcceden'ed, and b. which, II tolerated. COM
mantug General, operating in country remote from the
Of Government may always be crippled and DESTROYED
The second remark referred charges that notwith.
standing the daPprobatoa by the President Of the arms
ce which Gen. Taylor agreed ,ha, funetonay kn,s
statement Of Gen. Ampudia tina, Gen. Santa Anna Mr.
Poks General had declared himself favor Of peace
and therefore that there probability OF speedy tel
minaon OF the war, true" With this KNOWLEDGE on
the part Of the President clear that his disapp-o
oaton OF the armisiice but the open exhibition of
temper esgeT nd ground for and condemnation
eager that, while the whole Country was rnninh
with shouts OF JOY and eXuauOn, the speEd ID triumph
At Monterey, ne had the grace 10 abstain from
aiming this bibed the breas, Of the gallant Gene
raj, under whose auspices II achieved
We shall hereafter, make room for them tr,ns
Ter columns other portions OF this interesting CORES.
| oOndence.