Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-12-11

1l,tv, territorial or otherwise. Whatever NAV be the
iasc impressions under which they have acted the
adoption and prosecution of the energetic policy pro-
posed must soon undeCCive them.
In the future prosecution OF the war, the enemy
must be made to feel its pressure than they have
heretofore done. At its commencement il was deem
I'd proper to conduct il in spirit OF forbearancc and
ubcralItv. With this end in view, early measures
were adopted conciliate as far n state of war
would permit, the mass OF the Mexican population
io convince them that the war was waged not against
the peaceful inhabitants OF Mexico, but against their
'ahess government, which had commenced hostill-
ties to remove from their minds the false impressions
which their designing and interested rulers had art
fully attempted to make, that the war part was
one oi conquest Tat ii was war against their
igon aud their churches which were 10 be desecrated
and overhrown and that their rights OF person and
private property would he violated To remove these
iase impressions, commanders in the field were
directed to respect their religion, their churches and
ilier church property, which were in manner to be
violated they directed also to respect the rights
OF persons and property OF all who should not take up
arms against us.
Assurances this effect given to the Mexican
people by Major General Taylor, in a proclamation
issued in pursuance OF instructions from the Secretary
oi War, in the month OF June. aud again BY Major
General Scott, who acted upon his convictions OF
tue propriety of issuing it in proclamation of the
eleventh OF May, lSi7.
In this spirit Of liberali,y aud cancellation, and with
view TO prevent the body OF the Mexican population
from taking up arms against MS, was the conduct
I'd on our part. Provisions and other supplies fur
u-fcd To army by Mexican citizens were paid for
at far and liberal prices agreed upon by the parties
After the lapse OF few months, it became apparent
mat these assurances and this mild treatment, had
failed to produce the desired effect upon the Mexican
population. While the war had been conducted on
part according to the most humane and liberal
principles observed by civilized nations it was waged
III tar different spirit on the part of Mexico. Not
approaching our torbearance, the Mexican people
generally became hostile TO the United States, and
awaited themselves of every opportunity to commit
the ,nrp
numbers OF the population took up arms, and, enga
gng in guerrilla warfare, robbed and murdered in the
most cruel manner individual soldiers or small par
ties, whom accident or other causes had separated
from the main body of our army bands of robbers
and guerrilleros infested the roads, hanassed our
trains, and, whenever it in their power, cut of
our supplies.
The Mexicans having thus shown themselves to be
wholly incapable OF approaching our forbearance and
.berality, it deemed proper change the manner
OF conducting the war, by making them feel the pres
sure according to the usages observed under similar
circumstances by all other civilized nations.
Accordingly, early as the twenty second of Sep
t-mber, 1916, instructions given BY e Secrcta-
~ OF War to MAJOR General Taylor to raw sup
lies Or our army from the enemy viii tt paving
kbegu, aud to require contributions Tor klpport, -
Rt way he was satisfied he could nQbun-
DsIies for his forces" In directin ecu
Instructions much was nece # to
OF the commanding olc was
IA with the circumstances he
aided, the wants OF the army, ac-
I1dcabiliiY OF enforcing the measure
Geaeffal Taylor, on the twenty-slxth ?ctober,
Ut, Replied from Monterey, that 1t Id have
b&en impossible hitherto, and is now, to tam the
army to any extent by forced contributions p money
or supplies" For the reasons assigned by MN, he did
not adopt the policy Of his Instructions DECLARED ,,
operations, reach portion OF the country which may
be made to supply the troops with advantage lie
continued to pay for the articles OF supply which were
drawn from the enemy's country.
S,,,,ilnr inc lana ypr
scott ON the third of April, lSi7, who replied from
Jalapa, on the twentieth OF May, lsi! thar II II be
expected that the army to support Itself by forced
contributions levied upon the country we may rum
and eyasnerae the inhabitants and siarve ourselves
The same discretion was given to him that had beer
to General Taylor in this respect General Scott TOT
the reasons assigned by him, also continued to pay io
the articles OF supply tor the army which were drawn
from the enemy.
After the army had reached the heart OF the mos
wealthy portion OF Mexico, it was supposed that th'
obstacles which had before that time prevented /
would no, be such as render mpraccable the lev!
of forced cont ributons for its support and on the hrs
of September and gain on the sixth Of October Isl
the order was repeated in dispatches addressed by tn
Secretary of War to General scott, ana ms attention
was again called to the importance OF making TN
enemy bear the burdens of the war by requiring then
70 furnish the Of supporting our army and III
was directed adopt this policy unless, by dong SO
there danger OF depnvlng the army oil me heces
.lry supplies. Copies OF these dispatches were for
warded TO Gen Taylor tor his government
On the thirty first of March last, caused an orde
20 be issued 10 our military and naval commanders Il
levy and collect military col"rou'ion upon all YES
sells and MERCHANDISE which might enter any Of tn
ports of Mexico in military occupation, and to ap
Div such contributions towards deiraying the expense
81 the war BY virtue OF the right OF conquest an
,he laws of war, the conqueror, consulting his owl
safety or convenience, may either exclude foreig
commerce altogether from such ports, or permit
upon such terms and conditions as he may prescribe
Before the principal ports OF Mexico were blocksde
liz our navy the revenue derived from impOst duties
ui,der the laws of Mexico, was paid into the Mexca
treasury After these ports had fallen into our militia
rs possession. the blockade was raised and our com
with them permitted upon prescribed terms an
conditions
They were opened to the trade OF all nations upo
the payment OF duties more moderate N their amour