The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-12-11

Iisled over. them Should Congress, de-
ternine 10 hold these provinces permanently,
and that they shall hereafter be considered rs
constituent parts ofour country, the early es-
adjustment of territorial government. over
them will be important for the more perfect
projection ofporsons and property; and rec
onmend that such territorial governments
be established. 1t will promote peace and
TRANQUILITY among the Inhabitants, by allay-
ing all apprehensions that they may still en-
ertuin ofbeng again subjected to the Jurls-
diction of Mexico. ] invite the early and fn-
yorable consideration ofCongrcss TO this I'M
poriant subject.
Besides New Mexico and the CALIFORNIA;,
there are other Mexican provinces which
have been reduced to our possession by con-
quest These other Mexican provinces are
now'governed by our military and naval com
manders, under the general authority which
is conferred upon II conqucror by the laws OF
wnr. They should continue 10 Inc held as
means of coercing Mexico 10 accede TO just
terms ofpeace Civil as well MS military otli-
GERS are required to conduct such Il govern
ment. Adequate compensation TO DE drawn
! from contributions levied on the enemy
should be fixed by law for such officers as
may be thus employed. What further pro-
vision may become necessary, and what final
disposition il may be proper TO make of them,
must depend on the future progress of the
war, and the course which Mexico may think
proper hereafter to pursue.
With the views entertain, cannot thvor
the policy which has been suggested, either
10 withdraw our army altogether, or 10 retire
to Designated line. and simply hold aud de-
fend it, To withdraw our army altogether
from the conqucsts they have made 10y deeds
ofunparaeled bravery, and ut the expense
oil so much blood and treasure, in just war
on our part, and one which, by the act ofthc
enemy, we could not honorably have avoided,
would be TO degrade the nation in It's own cs-
!irnation and in that oftIie world.
To retire to line, and simply hold and
defend ii,would not terminate the war. On
the contrary, it would encourage Mexico to
perscvCrc, and tend to protract it Indefinite
| iy.
II is not TO be expected that Mexico, after
refusing 10 establish such line as n perma-
nent boundary when Our victorious army arc
in possession other capital, and in the heart
her country, would permit us TO hold 1t
| without resistance. That she would contin-
ne the war. and in the most harrassing and
annoying forms, there can be no doubt. A
border warfare OF the most savage character,
extending over II long line, would he unceas-
iugly waged. 1t would require large arnly
to be kept constantly in the field, stationed
ut posts and garrsons along such line. TO
protect aud defend it. The enemy, relieved
from the pressure of our arms on his consts,
and in the popuous parts of the interior,
would direct his attention to this line, and
selecting an insulated post for attack, would
concentrate his forces upon it. This would
he condition of affairs which the MeXicnns,
pursuing their fuvOiite system of guerrilla
warfare, would probably prefer to any other.
Were we TO assume defensive attitude on
such line, all the advantages of such state
of warfare would be on the side ofthe enemy.
We could levy no contributions upon him,or
in any other way make him feel the pressure
of the war; bnt must remain inactive and a.
wait his approach, being in constant uncer-
tainty ut what point on the line, or at what
time, he might make an assault.
lie may assemble and organize an over
whelming force in the interior on his own
side of the line, and concealing his purpose,
make sudden assault upon some one of our
posts so distant from any other as 10 prevent
the possibility of timely 6uccor or reinforce
mcnts; and in this way our gallant army
would be exposed to the danger Of being cut
ofl'in detail; or if, by their unequaled brave
~ and proves everywhere exhibited during
this war, they should repulse the enemy,
their numbers stationed at any one post may
be too small TO pursue him. If the enemy he
repulsed in one attack, he would have moth
ing TO do but to retreat TO his own side of
the line, and being in no fear OF pursuing
army, may reinforce himself at leisure for a
mother attack on the same or some other post.
lie may TOO cross the line between our posts
making rapid iucursions into the country
| which we hold murder the inhabitants, com
! nit dcpredaions on them, and then retreat TO
the interior before a sufficient force can he
concentrated 10 pursue him. Such would
probably be the harrassing character ola mere
! defensive war on our part. II our forces,
when attacked, or threatened with attack, he
permitted to cross The line, drive back the
enemy, and conquer him, this would be a
gain to invade tile enemys country, after
having lost all tho advantages of the con-
quests we have already made, by having vol
unfairly abandoned them. To hold such a
line successfully and in security it is far from
being certain that it would not require rs
large an army as would be necessary TO hold
all the conquests we have already made, and
10 continue the prosecution ofthe war in the
heart of the enemy's country. 1t is also far
from being certain that the expenses of the
war would be diminished 10y such policy
lam persuaded that the best means of vim,
dcating the national honor and interest, and
of bringing the war to an honorable close
will be TO prosecute it with increased energy
, and power in the vital parts of the enemy;
I country.
In my annual message to Congress in De
, cember last, declared that "the war has no
> been waged with view to conquest: bu
e having been commenced by Mexico, it ha
been carried into the enerny's country, anC
= will be vigorously prosecuted there, with
4 view to obtain an honorable peace, anC
= thereby secure ample indemnity for The eX
4 penses ofthc war, as well as to our much in
= iured citizens, who hold large pecuniary de
: mands against Mexico" Such, in my judg