Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1847-02-17


TO take it by regular approaches.
That they should have surrendered a
place nearly as strong as Quebec, well
fortified under the direction of skilful en-
gineers-their works garnished with AZ
pieces of artillery, abundantly supplied |
with ammunition, garrisoned by 1000 re-
gular and 1000 irregular troops, in add.
ton to some thousands of citizens capable
of (and no doubt actually bearing arms
and aiding in its defence--to an opposing |
force of halt their number, scantily sup
piled with provisions. AMI with light train
of arlillery-is among the unaccountable |
occurrences of the times. !
am decidedly opposed TO carving the
war beyond Saltilo In this direction,
which place has been entirely abandoned
| by the Mexican forces, all of whom have
been concentrated at San Luis Potosi;
aud | shall lose no time in taking posses
sion of the former as soon as the cessation
of hostilties referred to expires-which
have notified the Mexican authorities will
be the case on the 18th inst, by direction
of the President of the United States.
If we are lin the language of Mr.. Polk
and Gen. ScotD under the necessity of
''conquering peace" and that by taking
the capital of the country-we must go to
Vera Cruz, take that place, and then
march on to the city of Mexico. To do
so in any other direction, | consider out
of the question. But, admitting that we
conquer a peace by doing so-say, at the
end of the next twelve months-will the
amount of blood and and treasure which
must be expended in doing so, be compen
stated by the same? think Tablespoonful
Iy if the country we subdue is to be given
up; and imagine there are but few indi-
viduaIs in our country who think of annex.
ing Mexico to the United States.
| do not intend to carry on my opera
tons (as previously stately beyond SaltIl.
lo-deeming it next to impracticable to do
so. 1t then becomes question as to what
is best TO be done. Ii seems to me, the
most iudicious course to be pursued on
our part would be to take possession, at
once, of the line we would accept by ne
collation., extending from the Gulf of Mex
leo to the Pacific, and occupy the same,
or keep what we have already possession
Of; and that, with Tampico, (Which hope
or as soon as can get the means of
transportation,) will give us all on this
f side of the Sierra Madre, and, as soon as
| occupy Saltillo, will include six or
seven states or provinces, thus holding
f Tampico, Victoria, Monterey, SaItillo,
! Monclova, Chihuahua, (Which | presume
] General Wool has possession of by this
D time,) Santa Fe and the Callfornias-and
s say to Mexico, "Drive US from the coun
t try !"-throwing on her the responsibility
F.. and expense of carrying on offensive war
) at tho same time closely blockading all hel
} ports on the Pacific and the Gulf.
/ course of this kind, if presevered II
it for short time, would soon bring hei tt
e proper senses, and compel her to sue fo
j. peace-provided there is government
J. in the country sufficiently stable for Us t.
1t treat with, which fear will hardly De the
o case for many years TO come. Wlthou
large reinforcements of volunteers tron
y the United States--say 10 or ID thousand
e Chose previously sent out having alread
y been greatly reduced by sickness AM
y other casuaIties)- do not believe
n would be advisable to march beyond Sal
1t tllo, which is more than 200 miles beyon
70 our depots of the Rio Grande-a yer
.e long line on which to keep up supple
,e lover a land route, in country like this.
ri for large force, and certain toHbe atten
10 ded with an expense which will be trigh
r, fulto contemplate when closely looked lnst
0. From Sal;ilo to San Luis POtosI, tn
he next place of Importance on the road t
h the City of Mexico, is three hundre
ne miles--one hundred and forty badly wa
IN tered, where no supplies of any KIN
he could be procured for men or horses.
iii have informed the War Department th'
re 10000 efficient men would be necessar
ID to insure success If we move on TO Tit
rs place--(a city containing population
so sc, 900, where the enemy could bring 4
IN gether and sustain, besides the citizen
We an army OF 50,000)-a force which, | a.
he prehend, will hardly be collected by uswl
he the tram necessary to feed it, as we
20, as to transport various other supplies, pa
ty. ticularIy ordnance and munitions OF wa
nd In regard to the armistlce, which won
Id! have expired by limitation in few day
la we lost nothing by il, as we could
is move even now, had the enemy conilnu
in to occupy SaltiIlo; for, strange to say, q
yo frs, wagon which has reached me SIN
De- the declaration of war was on the "a ln'
i'd. the same day on which | received ire
Of Washington an acknowledgement OF
sh- despatch announcing the taking OF Mo
md terey; and then | received only l25;
,rv that have been, eince May last, compile
re-. " crippled, and am still So, for want
rye transportation.