Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1847-12-21

SAo P''o'O PlOPcTtV WOuaQ De VlOIdIeu.--
10 remove these false impressions, our
commanders in the field were directed
serupulously to respect their religion,
their churches, and their church property,
which were in no manner violated. They
were directed also to respect the rights of
persons and property, Of all who should
not take up arms against us.
Assurances to this effect were given to
the Mexicans by Major General Scott,
who acted upon his own convictions of
Propriety of issuing it, in proclamation
of the llth of May, ls47. a.a
In this spirit of liberality and concilia-
ton, and with view to prevent the body
OF Mexican population from taking up
against US, was the war conducted on our
part. Provisions and other supplies fur
nished to our army by Mexican citizens,
were paid for at fair and liberal prices,
agreed upon by the parties. After the
lapse OF few months, it became apparent
that these assurances, and this mild treat
ment have failed to produce the desired
effect upon the Mexican population. The
war has been conducted, upon our part,
according to the most human and liberal
principlet, observed by civilized nations.
1t was waged in far different spirit on
the part of Mexico. Not approaching our
forbearance, the Mexican people general
ly hostile to the United States, and avail
ed themselves of the opportunity TO com.
NIT the most savage excuses upon our
fPnnnS 1of1p1harc of III ,,oo,,1o
ton took arms, and engaging in guerilla
warfare, robbed and murdered, in the most
cruel manner, individual soldiers, or small
parties, whom accident or other causes
had separated from the main body of our
army. Bands of guerillas, and robbers,
infested the roads, harassed our trains. and
whenever it was in their power, cut of
our supplies. s-.aa..' .. -|.5
The Mexicans having thus shown them.
selves to be wholly incapable of apprecia-
ting our forbearance and liberaiity, it was
deemed proper to change the manner of
constructing the war, making them feel
its pressure according to the usages OBJ
served under similar circumstances, in all
other civilized nations. ..H,4aa '
Accordingly, as early as the 22d of
September, 1916, instructions were Civ
en-, by the Secretary of War, to Major
General Taylor, to draw supplies for our
army from the enemy, paying for them;
and to require contributions for its sup
port, if in that way he was satisfied he
could get abundant supplies for his forces.
In directing the execution OF these in
structions, much was necessarily left to
the discretion of the commanding officer,
who was best acquainted with the circum-
stances by which he was surrounded
the wants of the army,-and the the prac-
ticability ofenforcing the measure.
Gen. Taylor, on the Goth of October,
1916, replied from Monterey, that it
would be impossible, and is now, to sus-
tain the army by forced contributions of
supplies, r...
For 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 q
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 ene-
my's country. ... ...#. ..
Similar instructions were issued to Ma
jor Gen. Scott, on the Sd of April, l647:
who replied from Jalapa, on the Goth of
May, 1947, that fit be expected that the
army is to support itself by forced con-
tributlons levied upon the country, we
may ruin and exasperate the inhabitants,
and starve ourselves. The same dlscre-
ton was given to him that had been given
to Gen. Taylor in this respect. Gen.
Scott, for reasons assigned by him, still
continued 10 pay for articles of supply
for the army, which were drawn from tie
enemy. ........,r .a
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, would not be
such as to render impractcable, the levy
of forced contributions for its support; and
on the first Of September, and on the 1st
Of October, 1S47, the order was repeated
in dispatches, address by tho Secretary OF
War to Gen. Scott; and his attention was
again called to the importance of making
the enemy bear the burdens of the war,
by requiring them to furnish the means of
supporting our army; and he was direct
ed to adopt this policy, unless by doing
so there was danger Of depriving the ar
my of necessary supplies. Copies OF
these dispatches were forwarded to Gen.
Taylor for his government. 81
| On the 31st Of March last, caused
an order to be issued to our Military and
Naval Commanders, to levy and collect a
Military contribution upon all vessels and
merchandise which might enter any of
the ports of Mexico in our military occu-
paion; and to apply such contributions
towards defraying the expenses of the