Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1847-02-05
But, admitting that we conquer

tho Question But admitting that we conquer
peace bv doing so-say, at the end oil the next
twelve months-will the amount OF oloou anu
traaenre. which must be expended in doing SO, be
oc,,onsa,ad nv the same? think not-espe-
ciaIIv If the country we subdue is TO be given up;
and I Imagine there are but few individuals IN
orr country who think of anneXing Mexico TO tie
United States To-
do not intend to carry on my operations (as
previously stated) beyond Salhllo,-deeming II
next to impracticable to do so. 1t then becomes
a question as to what is best to be done. ltseems
IN me. the most iudicious cource to be pursued on
our mart would be to take possession, at once, OF
the line we would accept by negotiation, extend
ino from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific, and
occupv the same, or keep what we already have
possession of; and that, with Iamplco, (whlch l
hope to take in the course OF the next month, or
as soon as can get the means OF transportatl0h)
will give us all on this side of the Sierra Aladre,
and, as soon as occupy Saltllo, will include six
or seven States or provinces, thus holding Tam
pico Victoria, Monterey, Saltillo, Moncloya, Chi
huahua (Which presume Gen. Wool has posses
sion of by this time,) Santa Fe and the Califor-
nias,-and say to Mexico, g Drive us from the
country !''-throwing on her the responsibility and
expense Of carrying on offensive war, at the same
time closely blockading all her ports on the Pacl-
fic and the Gulf A course of this kind, perse-
vered in for short time, would soon bring her to
her proper Senses and compel her to sue for peace,
provided there is government in the country sui
liCiently stable for us to treat with, which, tear,
will hardly be the case for many years to come.
Without large reinforcements OF volunteers from
the United States-say, ten or fifteen thousand,
Chose previously sent out having already been
greatlyreduced by sickness and other casualtIes)
do not believe it would be advisable to march be-
vond SaItillo, which is more than 200 miles be-
vond our depots on the Rio Grande,-a very long
line on which to keep up supplies (over land
route in a country like this) for large force, and
certain to be attended with an expense which VIII
be frghtful TO contemplate, when closely looked
into. Is
From Saltillo to San Luis Potosi, the next place
of Importance on the road to the city of Mexico,
is three hundred miIes-one hundred and forty
badly watered, where no supplies otany kind could
be procured for mel or horses. have informed
the War Department that 10000 efficient men
would be necessary to insure success II we move
on that plaCe-(a city containing a population OF
10000, where the enemy could bring together and
sustain, besides the citizens, an army OF 100000
a force which, apprehend, will hardly be collect
ed by us with the train necessary to feed it, as well
as to transport various other supplies, particular
ly ordnance and munitions of war.
In regard 10 the armstice, which would have
expired, by limitation, in few days, we lostnfh-
ing by il, could not move even now, had
the enemy continued to occupy SaltIllo; for,
'''S
me since the declaration of war, was on the I'd
inst, the same day onwhich 1received from Wash
ngton an acknowledgment of my despatch an
nouncing the taking of Monterey; and then re-
Ceived only l35, so that have been. since May
last, completely crippled, and am still so, Tor want
Of transportation. After raking and sCrapIng the
country for miles around Camargo, collecting eve
ry pack-mule and other means OF transportation,
could bring here only $4,000 ratiOns, Citizen
days supply,) with moderate supply, OF ordnance,
ammunition, &c, to do which, all the corps had to
leave behind portion of their camp equpage ne
cessary for their comfort-and, in some instances
among the volunteers, their personal baggage,
moved in such way, and with suchlimited means,
that had not succeeded, ! should no doubt have
been severely reprimanded, it nothing worse. L
did so to sustain the administration.
or the two regiments of mounted men from
Tennessee and Kentucky, who left their respeC-
tive States to Join me, in June the latter has Just
reached Camargo; the former had not got to Ma
tamoras at the latest dates from there. Admit
ting that they will be long in returning as get
ting here, TO say nothing of the time necessary
to recruit their horses,) aud were to be dscharg-
ed in time to reach their homes, they could serve
in Mexico but a very short time. The foregoing
remarks not made with the view OF finding fault
with any one, but 10 point out the difficulties with
which have had to contend.
Monery, the capitol of New Leon, is situated
on the San Juan river where 1t comes out OF the
mountains-the city (Which contains population
of about twelve thousand) being in part surroun-
ded by them-at the head of large and beautiful
valley. The houses are of stone, in the Moorish
style, with fiat roofs, which, with their strongly
incosed yards and gardens in high stone walls,
all looped for musketry, make them each for
tress within itself 1t is the most important place
in northern Mexico, Cor on the east side of Sierra
Madre.) commanding the only pass or road for
carriages from this side, between it and the Gulf
of Mexico to the table lands of the Sierra, by or
through which the city of Mexico can be reached.
much fear shall have exhausted your patience
before you get half through this long and unin-
tcresting letter. If so, you only commit it
to the flames. and think no more about it, as
write in great haste, besides being interrupted
every five minutes; so that You must make
great allowances for blots, interlineations, and
blunders, as well as want of conneXion in many
parts of the same.
Be so good as to present me most kindly to
your excellent lady, and accept my sincere wishes
for your continued health, prosperity, and fame.
remain, truly and sincerely,
Your friend, Z. TAYLOR.
HORRIBLE AccrDENr.-On Friday man en-
rla &c