Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1847-12-16


few months, 1t became apparent that these assur-
ances, and this mild treatment had failed to pro-
duce the desired effect upon the Mexican popula-
tion. While the war had been conducted on our
part according to the most humane and liberal
principles observed by civilized nations it was
waged in far different spirit on the part of Mex
ico. Not appreciating our forbearance, the Mex
ican people generally became hostile to the U.
States, and avail themselves of every opportuni-
ty to commit the most savage excuses upon our
troops. Large numbers of the population took
up arms, and, engaging in guerilla warfare, rob-
bed and murdered in the most cruel man.
ner individual soldiers, or small parties hom
cldent or other causes had separated from the
main body of our army; bands of guerrillas and
robbers infested the roads, harrassed our trains,
and, whenever it was in their power, cut off our
supplies.
The Mexicans having thus shown themselves
to be wholly incapable Of appreciating our for
bearance and llberalty, it was proper to change
the manner of conducting the war, by making
them feel its pressure according to the usages
observed under similar circumstances by all 9TH
er CIVILIZED nations.
Accordingly, as early az the twenty second of
September, 1916, instructions were given by the
Secretary of War to Major General Taylor to
'draw supplies" to our army 'irom the enemy
without paying for them, and to require contribu-
tions for Its support" if in that way he salts
fled he could "get abundant supplies for his for
ces" In directing the execution of these in.
structions, much was necessarily left to the dis
cretion of the commanding officer, who was best
acquainted with the circumstances by which he
was surrounded, the wants of the army, and the
practicability of enforcing the measure.
Gen. Taylor, on the 26th Of fOctober, ls46, re-
piled from Monterey that sit would have been i'm
possible hitherto,and is now, tos1stan the army
to any extent by forced contributions Of money or
supplies" For the reasons assigned by him, he
did not adopt the policy of his instructions, but
declared his readiness to do so, should the army,
in its future operations, reach a portion of the
country which may be made to supply the troops
with advantage" He continued to pay for the
articles of supply which were drawn from the en-
emy's country.
Similar instructions were issued to Major Gen.
eral Scott on the Sd of April, l847, who replied
from Jalapa on the Goth of May, 1847, that, if it
be expected that ''the army is to support itsefby
forced contributions levied upon the country, we
may ruin and exasperate the inhabitants, and
starve ourselves" The same discretion was
given to him that had been to Gen. Taylor in
this respect Gen. Scott, for the reasons assign
ed by HIM, also continued to pay for the articles of
enemy.
On the thirty of March last caused an order is
sued to military and naval commanders TO levy and col
lec military contribution all vessels and merchandise
which might any of the ports of Mexico military
occupation and to apply such contributions towards defray
ing the expenses of the by virtue right of
quest and the laws of the conqueer consulting his
safety convenience either exclude foreign commerce
altogether from all such pos permit upon such terms
and conditions as he may prescribe.
Before principal ports Mexico by
navy the derived from mpost duties under
Mexico paid treasury After these
ports had fallen into military posession the blockade
raised, and with them permitted upon pre-
scrbed terms and conditions They opened trade
Of all nations the of duties moderate
their amount than those which had been previously levied by
Mexico and the which formerly paid
Me treasury directed be collected by militia
and naval officers and applied to the of army and
taken that the officers soldiers and sailors of
army navy exempted from the operations of
the order and the merchandise imported upon which the
order operated must be consumed by Mexican citizens the
contributions exaced were in effect the pub
lie of Mexico, and the application them
In directing this the object
pei the enemy to contribute. practicable towards
For the amount of contributions which have been levied
Secretary War and Secretary of the Navy by which
appears that exceeding half million of dollars had
This would undoubtedly been much larger but
for the difficulty of keeping open between
mercha ndse imported transport and nIabi
tants of the country IT confidently expected that this diff
Guilty WILL to great extent be removed by nceas
ed forces which have been sent to the field
Measures recently been adopted by which the internal
well external revenues of Mexico places our
military occupation viii be seized and appropriated to the
use of our army and navy.
The policy of levyng upon the contributions in
cry fon consistently with the laws of nations which may
be practicable for military commanders adopt should
my judgment be rgIdy enforced and this
have accordingly been given By such policy at the
time that treasury will be relieved om heavy drain
the Mexican people will be feel the burdens of the
war, and consulting their interests may be induced the
readily require their rulers accede peace
After the army had reached the heart of the most wealthy
had before that time prevented it would be SUCH
render mpractcabe the of forced contributions for its
support and the first of September and again on the
of October 1877 the order repeated in dispatches
addressed by the Secretary of War General Scott his
attention again called to the importance making
nsh the of supporting army directed
adopt this policy unless by doing there danger
eprvng the army Of the necessary supplies Copies
dispatches forwarded 70 General Taylor for his govern
ment.
After the adjournment of the last session of
Congress, events transpired in the prosecution
Of the war, which, in my Judgment required
greater number of troops IN the field than had
been anticipated. The estrength of the army was
increased by accepting the servi-
ces Of all the volunteer forces authorized by the
act of the 18th of May, 1916, without putting
on that act, the correctness of
which was seriously questioned
The volunteer forces now in the field, with
those which had been accepted to serve for
twelve MONTHS and were discharged a, the end
Of their term of service exhaust the fifty thous.
and men authorized by that act. Had it been