Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-02-13
OFFICIAL PAPERS AND LETTERS.
FROM THE "UNIoN" OF WEDNESDAY NIGHT.


FROM THE "UNIoN" OF WEDNESDAY MIGHT.
Victoria, Ianlaukpas, Mexico, Jan 8, ls47.
ToTHE ENRON OF THE UsIos.-DEAR SIR After much
speculation and little Misrepresentation about the capula
ton Of Monterey, perceive by newspapers that
discussion has arisen who responsible for that
ton As Of the commissioners who entrusted by
General Taylor with the arrangement of the upon which
the city of Monterey and its Notifications should be delivered
forces, have had frequent occasion the
then adopted, and the considerations which led
My judgment after the fact has fully sustained my decisions
the date Of the and feeling myself responsible
for the instrument prepared and presented
handing general have the satisfaction, after all subsequent
events to believe that the terms offered were expeden
and honorable, and WISE distinguished gentleman with
whom acted on that commission Governor Henderson, says
in recently published letter. 81 did the time, do
still, like the terms, but acted Of the commissioners
together with General Worth and Colonel Davis carry
General Tayors instructions. We ought and could have
made them surrender at discretion" &c.
From each position taken in the above paragraph dissent
The instructions given by General Taylor only presented his
object and fixed limit to the powers OF his commissioners
hence when points raised which exceeded discretion
they referred the commander but minor points
acted and finally submitted part of negotiation.
We fixed the time within which the Mexican forces should
retire from Monterey. We agreed upon the time would
wait for the decision of the respective Governments, which
recoect less by hiryfour days than the Mexican
missoners askedthe period adopted being that which,
cording TO estimate, required TO bring up the
of army, with the ordnance and supplies necessary for
further operations.
did not them nor do now believe we could have made
the enemy surrender discretion. Had entertained the
opinion it would have been given to the commission and to
the commanding general and would have precuded me from
signing agreement which permitted the garrison to retire
with the honos of 1t demonstrabe from the position
and known prowess Of the two armies that could drive the
enemy from the but the untenabe whilst the
main fort (caed the cade remained in the hands Of
the enemy. Being without siege artillery or entrenchng
TOOLS could only hope to carry this fort by Storm after
heavy loss from which, isolated in hostile
try now numbered less than half the forces of the enemy
When all this had been achieved what would we have
gained than by the captulation
General Taylos force small to invest the town. II
was therefore, always the power Of the enemy retreat
bearing his light Our amy-poory provided and with
very insufficient transporaton-could not have overaken
they had pursued the flying enemy Hence the conclusion
that was not in our power to capture the main body OF
the Mexican army unreasonable to suppose their general
would have surrendered at discretion. The moral effect OF
retiring under the captulation certainly greater than if
the enemy had ereaed without BY this
secured the large supply Of ammunition he had collected in
Monerey-whch had the assault been continued must have
been exploded by Shells it principally stored in
/" the Cathedral" which, being supposed to be filled with
troops the especial aim of pieces The destruction
the advance of both divisions of troops and commend
this the contemplation Of those whose arguments have been
drawn from facts learned since the commissioners closed their
negotiations. With these Introductory remarks send copy
of manuscript in my possession, which prepared to
such necessity exists tor explanation Of the
views which governed the commissioners in arranging the
Of captuaon justify the commanding general should
Misrepresentation and caumny attempt tansh his we'll
earned reputation and for all time come fix his truth OF
the transaction. Please publish this in your paper, and be-
eve me your friend, &C. JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Memoranda Of the transactions II, connerion ,0ih
the capitalization Of Monterey, capital Of Nuerd
Leon, INericO.
army General Taylor accompanied by number of hs
officers proceeded the Gath September 1885, house
designated the place which General Ampuda requested
interview The parties being convened General Ampudia
annoupced official information that commissioners from the
United had been received by the Government of Mex
and that the orders under which he bad prepared de-
fend the city Of Monterey had lost their force by the subse
quent change of his Government therefore he asked the
conference brief conversation between the commanding
Generals showed their views be opposite to leave little
expect amicable arrangement between them
General Taylor said he would delay receive such pro-
positions as General Ampuda indicated. One of General
Ampudas party, think the Governor Of the city, suggested
the appointment Of mixed commission. This -, "
and Gen. W. G. Worth, of the uaied I"s army .na zen zen
Pnckney Henderson 9ifsssspp aemen on The part Of
Ga on, and Gen. Ma orega, Gen. p Requena,
the Governor NJ Ma bsano, the part Of Gen.
Ampudia, appointed.
Gen Tayogave instructions to his commissioners which,
understood, for they brief and verbal will be best
shown by the copy Of the demand which the United States
commissioners prepared the conerenceroo here ncor
porated:
Copy of demand By United States Commissioners.
I As the legitimate result Of the operations before this
place. and the present position Of the contendng armies
demand the surrender Of the and munitions Of
war, and all other public property within the place.
ell That the Mexican armed force retire beyond the Rim
conada, Binares, and San Fernando on the
''I The commanding General Of the army of the United
States agrees that the Mexican officers their side arms
and private baggage and the troops be allowed TO retire under
their officers without parole, reasonable time being allowed
to withdraw the forces.
CIV. The immediate delivery Of the main work
pied TO the army OF the United States.
V To avoid collisions, and FIR mutual convenience, that
the troops The United States shall occupy the town until
the Mexican forces have been withdrawn except for hospital
purposes, storehouses, &c.
"VI The commanding General OF the United States agrees
advance beyond the line specified in the second section
before the expiration of eight weeks until the respective
Governments can be heard FROM"
The terms of the demand refused by the Mexican
mssoners, who drew up proposition, of which
forces retire with their This urged matter
of soderly pride, and ordinary courtesy. We had
reached the limit Of instructions and the commission
to report the disagreement.
Upon returning the reception room after the fact had
TERMS General Ampudn entered length upon the question:
If