Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-06-10
GENERAL sCOTT's PROCLA-
NATION.
Headquarters OF THE Army,
JAIApA Nav II I917


ted States Of 4mericd, 10 The .Merican Nation
Mexicans! The recent events of the war,
and the measures adopted in consequence by
your Government, make it my duty to address
you-to show you truths Of which you are igno-
rant, because they have been criminally con-
cealcd from you. | do not ask you to trust my
words, Though he who has never fasifed them
has right to confdence,) but to Judge of these
truths by facts within the view and knowledge
Of you all.
Whatever may have been the origin of this
war, which my country saw itself forced to un-
dertake from irremedable causes, which learn
are unknown to the greater part of the Mexican
nation, we regard it as a necessity such is it al
ways TO both beligerents and reason and Justice,
# not forgotten on both SIDES are in dispute,
each believing them its own. You have proof
of this truth as well as ourselves for in Next
CO, as in the United States, there have existed,
and do exist two opposite parties, deslring-the
one peace, the other war; But Governments
have sacred duties from which they cannot de.
part aud often these duties impose, for national
reasons, silence and reserve sometimes displeas-
lug to the majority of those, who, from views
purely personal or individual, make opposition
10 this government cannot pay any regard,
expecting the nation to place it in confidence
merited by a magstfacy of their own election.
Reasons of high policy and of continental
the crcumspection of the Cabinet Of Washing
ton which, ardenty desiring to terminate its
differences with Mexico, spared no resource,
compatible with honor and dignity, to arrive at
so desirable an end and when it was induging
the most flatterlng hopes Of accomplishing Its
aim by frank explanations and reasonngs, adj
dressed to the Judgment and prudence of the
virtuous and patriotic government of Gen. D. J.
Herrera, the misfortune least looked for dispel!ed
this pleasant hope, and at the same time blocked
up every avenue which could lead TO an honora-
ble settlement between the two nations. The
new government discarded the national interests,
as well as those of continental America and G.
lected in preference foreign influences, the most
opposed to those interests and the most fatal to
the future of Mexican liberty and of the repub-
| lcan system, which the United States hold 1t a
duty to preserve and protect
Duty, honor and dignity itself imposed upon
US the necessity of not losing a season of which
the monarchial party was taking violent adyan'
tage, for not a moment was to be lost, and we
acted with the promptness and decision necessa.
ny in case so urgent, TO avoid thereby COM
pcaton of interests, which might render our
relations more difficult aud involved.
Again, in the course of civil war, the govern
ment of Paroles was overthrown. We could
not but hope this would prove fortunate event,
and that whatever other Administration might
represent the Government, 1t would be less de-
luded, as well as more patriotic and prudent if
1t looked to the common good, weighing proba-
billties, its own strength and resources, and es-
peciay the general opinion as to the inevitable
results of national war. We were deceived
as perhaps, you, Mexicans, were also deceived,
IN Judging Of the true intentions of Gen. Santa
Anna, whom you recalled, and whom our Gov
eminent permitted to return.
From this condition of things the Mexican ma
ton has seen what have been the resuts-re.
suits lamented by all, and by Us sincerely, fol
we appreciate as is due the vaor and noble de-
termination of the unfortunates who go to bat.
tie ill-led, worse governed, and almost invaria-
bly, outraged by deceit or perfdy.
We have witnessed-and we cannot be taxed
with Partially for lanenting-wlth establishment
; that the heroic department of the garrison o
Vera Cruz, in its valiant defence, was aspersed
by the general who had Just been defeated ana
put to shameful flight by force far inferior tc
that which he commanded at Buena Vista thai
this general, rewarding the insurgents and pro.
motors of civil war in Mexico, heaped outrage
on those who had singularly distinguished them
selves by resistance beyond what could be ex.
pccted, and of admirable decision
Finally, the bloody event of Cerro Gordo has
shown the Mexican nation what it may reason
ably expect if it longer continues blind to the
true situation in which it has been placed BY
) some generals, whom it has most distinguished
ana In whom 1t has most confidence.
The hardest heart would be moved to grief il
contemplating the battle fields of Mexico afte
the last struggle. Those generals whom the
nation has, without service rendered, paid for Sc
many years, with some honorable exceptions
have III the day Of need betrayed 1t by their BAT
example or unskillfulness. On that field amongs
tile dead and dying, are seen no proofs of mill
hpu IN : ba coJ f,t.
OF soldler-the same on every occasion, frou
Palo Alto to Cerro Gordo-the dead to remain
unburied and the wounded abandoned to thu
!, cleinency and charity of the conqueror. Soldier
who go to fight, expecting such a recompense
deserved to be classed amongst the best in thu
world, since they are stimulated by no hope o
ephemeral glory, of regret, of remembrance, o
even of grave.
Again. Mexicans of honorable pride, contem
plate the 10. of peaceful and laborious citizen
IN all classes Of your society. The possession
= of the church menaced, and held out as an in
element to revolution and anarchy the fortune
OF the rich proprietors pointed out for plumber t
tie ill-dlsposed; the merchant and the artisan
II The laborer and the manufacturer, burdened witt
contributions, excuses, nonopoes, taxes upo
y consumption, surrounded with restrictions, an,
u charged with odious internal customs the maj
OF letters, and the statesman the man of liberia
hhoWleuSe, VINO cares 10 speak, prosecuted, with
out trial, by some faction, or by the rulers VIII
= :, abuse their power; criminals unpunished ant
set at liberty, as were those OF Perote-is this
then, Mexcans, the liberty which you enjoy.
. will not believe that the Mexcans of thu
= present day are wanting in courage to confes
: errors which do not dishonor them, and to adop
u system OF true liberty, of peace and union witt
their brethren and neghbors of the North nei
: their will believe that they are ignorant of thu
falsity Of the caumnlas of the press, intende,
y to excite to hostility, No public sentiment il
U not to be created or animated by fasehood. W,
have not proianed your temples, abused you
Q women, nor seized your property, as they woult
have you believe. We say this with pride, ant
we confirm it by your own bishops and by tn,
r clergy of Tampco, Tuspan, Matamoras, Monte
4 rey, Vera Cruz, and Jalapa, and by all the au
? thori!es, civil and religious, and the inhabitant
. of every town that we have occupied. We a
? dore the same God, aud large portion of on
/ army, as well as Of the population OF the United
a States, are Catholics like yourselves. We pun
I ish crime wherever we find it, and reward meri
/ and virtue.
, The army OF the United States respects ant
: viii always respect, private property of every
f description, and the property OF the Mexican
, church. Woe TO him who does not, where We
/ are
, Mexcans the past cannot be remedied, bu
the future can be provided for. Repeated,
:, hat L, ~. 4