Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-12-18

sions and new revolutions, all alike hostile 10
peaceful relations with the United States; be.
sides, there is danger, if our troops should be
Withdrawn before peace should be concluded, /
that the Mexican people, wearied with successive
revolutions. and deprived Of protection, for their
persons and property, might be inclined to yield
10 foreign influence. and TO cast themselves upon
some European monarchy for protection, from
the anarchy and suffering which would ensue.-
This, for our own safety, and in pursuance Of es
tablished policy, we should be compelled to
resist.
We could never consent that Mexico should
be thus converted into monarchy, governed by
foreign prince.
Mexico is our next neighbor, and her bounda
ries are contentious with our own, through the
whole extent across the North American CONT
nent from ocean TO ocean. Both politically and
commercially, we have the deepest interest in
her regeneration and prosperity; indeed, it is i'm |
possible, that with just regard to our safety we
can become Indifferent to her fate. 1t may be
that the Mexican people and government have
misconceived or nisconstrued our forbearance
and our objects, in desisting to conclude an ami.
cable adjustment Of the existing difficulties be.
tween the two countries. They may have sup.
posed that we would submit 10 terms degrading TO
the nation, or they may have drawn false infer.
ences from the supposed division Of opinion in
the United States on the subject Of the war, and
may have calculated 10 gain much by protecting
it; and, indeed, that we might ultimately aban.
don il altogether, without any acknowledgement.
toral or otherwise. Whatever may be the false
impressions under which they may have acted,
the adoption and prosecution Of the energetic
policy proposed must undeceive them.
In the future prosecution Of the war, the ene-
my must be made 10 feel its pressure more than
they have done. At its CONNIE ncement it was
deemed proper TO conduct i; in a spirit Of (orbear.
ance and liberaity and, with this end in view,
early measures were adopted to convince, as far
es state OF war would permit, the mass Of the
Mexican population that the war was waged, not
against the peaceful inhabitants Of Mexico, but
against their fahess government, which had
commenced hosiilities.
To remove from their minds false Impressions
which their interested rulers had ert(ully attempt.
ed to make, that the war on our part was one OF
compassionate it was war waged against their
religion, and their churches which were to be
destroyed and overthrown, and that the rights Of
persons and property would be vioaed:-to re-.
move these false impressions, our commanders in
the field were directed scrupulously to respect
their religion. their churches and their church
property, which were in no manner TO be violated.
They were directed also 10 respect the rights OF
persons and property, and all who should not
take up arms against the United States.
Assurances, 10 this effect, were given TO the
Mexicans, by Maj. Gen. Taylor, in a procla-
nation issued in pursuance Of instructions from
the Secretary Of War, in the month OF June,
1886, and again by Major Gen. Scott, who acted
upon his own convictions of the propriety oil
issuing it, in proclamation Of the lth Of May.
l947. In this spirit of liberality and concilia-
ton, and with view 10 prevent the body oil
the Mexican population from taking up arms
against Us, the war was conducted on our part.
Provisions and other supplies, furnished to our
army BY Mexican citizens, were paid for at lair
and liberal prices, agreed upon by the parties.
After the lapse of u few months, it became ap.
parent that these assurances, and this mild
treatment, had failed 10 produce the desired ef-
feet upon the Mexican population. The war had
been conducted upon our part according to the
mos, humane and liberal principles observed
by civilized nations. |. was waged IN far diff
ferent spirit on the part Of Mexico. No. appre
cia,ing our (orbearance, the Mexican people
generally became hostile to the United States,
and awaited themselves Of the opportunity to
commi, the mos, savage excuses upon our
troops. Large numbers Of the population took
up arms, and engaging in guerrilla warfare,
robbed, and murdered in the most cruel man.
ner, individual soldiers, or small parties, whom
accident or other causes had separated from the
main body of our army. Bands Of the guerril,
las and robbers infested the roads, harrassed
our trains, and, whenever it was in their power,
cut off our supplies
The Mexcans having thus shown themselves
to be wholly incapable OF approaching our for.
bearance and literally, it was deemed proper
10 change the manner OF conducting the war,
making them feel its pressure according TO .he
usages observed under similar circumstances In
all other civilized nations.
Accordingly, as early as the ED September,
1876, instructions we're given by the Secreta y
of War, to Gen. Taylor, to draw supplies for
our army from the enemy, without paying FOL
them, and to require contributions for its sup
port, il in that way he was satisfied he could
get abundant supplies for his forces. In direct.
ing the execution Of these instructions, much
was necessarily left 10 the discretion Of the
commanding officer, who was best acquainted
with the circumstances by which he was sur,
rounded, the wants Of the army, and the prac
ticability Of enforcing the measure. Gen. Tay
lor, Oh the 26lh Of October, 1916, replies, iron
Monterey, that it would have been impossible
hitherto, and also now, to sustain the army by
forced contributions or supplies. For the rea
sons assigned by him, he did not adopt the pol
icy Of his Instructions, but declared his readi.
ness to do so should the army, in its future op,
CREATIONS, reach portion Of the country which
may be made to supply the troops with advan
tage. He continued 10 pay for the articles O
supply which were drawn from the enemy,