Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-01-30
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.



The suboned Letter reached us in print some
days ago. but the simple fact of its being stated to
be letter To friend, not intended of course for
publication, restrained us, in accordance with a
general rule, from transferring it to our columns
1t has, however, received something Of an official
character by its being published in the Govern
ment paper in this city, accompanied by an ntma-
ton that Major General GAINES is the friend 10
whom II was addressed, and by whom, il is stated
in the New York Express, its publication was con-
sdered due to General TAYLOR, as vindication of
that gallant soldier from aspersions upon him, made
IN Congress and elsewhere. We defer with great
cheerfuness to the judgment of one himself vete-
ran in arms and chivalry, and distinguished at all
times by his strict regard of the courtesies Of life
and, since by one held in such just regard for these
qualities as well as for his undoubted patriotism
the publication has been deemed advisable, we place
the letter before our readers.
FROM THE NEW YORK EXPRESS, JANUARY 20.
We lay before our readers the following letter,
which tells Its own story too well to need any COM
ment 1t II but just, however, to its heroic writer,
whose courage and judgment are equalled only by
his honesty and modesty, to state that it was writ
ten 10 near friend and relative, now resident in
this city, endeared to him by very many years of
personal intimacy, to whom he unbosoms all his
purposes, opinions, and feelings, without the least
reserve.
We have more of this sort to communicate, and
shall soon be able to show that, in his defence
against his own secret personal enemies, as well as
against the armed enemies of his country, the old
hero OF the Rio Grande is ever" Rough and Ready"
Ap~x Txr,
MONTEREY, MsxIco, Nov. 8, 1876.
Mr. DEAn '''.'.' Your very kind and acceptable letter
Of the 3st of August .s.'.' reached me only short time
SINCE for which beg leave tender you my sincere thanks
IA few confidential remarks public transactions
here omitted
After considerable apparent delay part of the Quar-
ermasters Department in getting steamboats, into the Rio
Grande adapted its navigation, succeeded towards the
latter part of August in throwing forward to Camargo "a
town situated the San Juan river three mesom its juno
ton with the Rio Gande, the side, nearly 500 miles
from Brasos island by water and 200 by land and lao from
this place. considerable depo, of provisions ordnance am
munion and forage and them having brought together an
important portion of my command, determined on moving
on this place Accordingly after collecting ZOO pack mules
with their attendants and conductors in the enemys country
he principal means Of transportation for provisions bag
gage, &c left the 9Th Of September, TO Join my ad
which had preceded few days to Seralvo small
village IS miles the route, which did on the 9th, and
after waiting there few days for OF the corps get up
moved on and reached here the lsth with g. $50 men
regulars the balance volunteers For what took place
afterwards, Unjust refer you my several rcporparcuay
TO my detailed one Of the 9th ultmo.
do not believe the authorities at Washington are at all
satisfied with my conduct regard to the of the capu
aton entered into with the Mexican commander which you
no doubt have they have been made public through
The official orsan and copied into various other newspapers
have this moment received TO my despatch
nouncng the surrender Of Monterey and the
attending the same) from the Secretary Of War; stating that
regretted by the President that not deemed ad
visabe insist the terms had proposed 10 my com
muncaton to the Mexican commander in regard giving up
the city, adding that the circumstances which dictated no
doubt justified the change Although the Of capula
ton may be considered too liberal part by the Pres
dent and his advisers well by many others distance
particularly by those who do not understand the position
which occupied otherwise they might to differ
conclusion in regard the matter yet OIL due reflection
see nothing induce regret the course pursued
The proposition the part of Gen. Ampudia which had
much do in determining my the natter was based
the ground that Government had proposed to his TO
settle the existing difficulties by negotiation (Which knew
was the case without knowing the RESULT which then
under consideration by the proper authorities and which he
uouot WOuu result avoraby,
the whole Of his people favor Of peace Ifso con
sdered the further euson Of blood only unnecessary but
improper Their force also considerably larger than ours
and, from the size and position Of the place. could not com
Pletey invest that the greater portion Of their troops
If not the whole had they been disposed to do So could any
night have abandoned the city, entered the mountain
passes and effected their retreat do what could Had we
been put to the alternative Of taking the place by Storm (which
there ia doubt should have succeeded in doing we
should in all probability have lost fifty or hundred men in
killed. besides the wounded which wished to avoid as there
appeared to be prospect Of peace distant one also
wished TO avoid the destruction Of and children which
have been vey great had the ormg process been re
sorted TO- Besides they had very large and strong fort
cation short distance from the city, which, if carried with
the bayone must have been taken great sacrifice of e and
with limited train Of heavy bsterng artillery it would
have required twenty twenty-five days take ii by regular
approaches.
That they should have surrendered place nearly as strong
Quebec, wen fortified under the direction of iul enQ-
necrs-her works garnshed with fortywo pieces Of art
ery abundanty supplied with ammunition garrisoned BY
1000 regular and 1000 irregular troops addition to some
thousandcize capable Of land doubt actually bear
ing arms, and aiding in its defence,o an opposing force
half their number, scanly supplied with provisions and
with light train Of artillery, is among the unaccounabe
occurrences Of the times.
am decidedly opposed to carrying the beyond Salo
Lt.1 H., 49, l.. -