The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-04-05

To the Secretary of Var;


Instructions Secretary War.
To the Secretary of Var
SIR Being charged by the constitution with the prose-
cution of the existing with Mexico, deem prop
in the exercise of undoubed begerent right
der that military contributions be levied upon the enemy
in such of their ports other places are, may
be hereafter, in the possession OF land and naval
forces by conquest and that the same be collected and
applied towards delaying the expenses of the AS
one means OF ehecting this object the blockade at such
conquered ports will be raised, and they will be opened
to and that of all neutral nations, in
articles not contraband of war, during military
patton OF them and duties tonnage and imports will
be levied and collected through the agency of our militia
y and naval officers in command at such ports, acting
under orders from the War and Navy Departments
transmit to you herewith, for your information and
guidance copy of communication addressed by me to
the Secretary Of the Treasury the 23d instant in
structing him to examine the existing Mexican tariff and
to report to me- for my considerations scale OF duties
which he would recommend to be levied tonnage and
imports in such conquered ports, together with such reg
uatons as he would propose necessary and proper
order to carry this policy into effect and also copy OF
the report of the Secretary of the Treasury made on the
30th instant, IN answer to my communication to him.
The scale OF dutes and the regulations for their coec
ton military contributions exacted from the enemy
recommended by the Secretary of the Treasury in this
report, have been approved by me-
You will after consulting with the Secretary Of War;
so as to secure concert OF action between the War and
Navy Departments issue the necessary orders to carry the
measure proposed into immediate effect.
JAMES K POLK
WASHINGTON, March 81, ls47.
WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, April 3, 1916
Sir: | herewith enclose to you copy Of the Presi-
dents letter to the Secretary OF the Treasury and the
port, the proposed scale OF duties and the regulations
from the Treasury Department, prepared pursuant his
directions The rates OF assessment upon the tonnage Of
vessels and upon articles OF merchandise which may be
received into Mexican ports while in possession of our
forces have been approved by him. and he has directed
as you will perceive by his letter of the 3ls of March,
ders should be issued from this department to collect the
several sums proposed military contributions to be
drawn from the enemy as the consumers OF the merchan
disc admitted into those ports. You hereby directed
to take the necessary measures far the agency of
the officers OF the army required to carry the orders Of
the President into effect His objects and views in re-
sorting to this kind of contribution, sufficiently
planned in the accompanying papers. The enforcement
OF his orders is necessarily committed to the naval and
land forces now operating in the enemys country.
also transmit to you copy OF letter from the Secre-
tay OF the Navy OF this date prepared by the direction
of the President, giving instructions to the naval officers
who may be engaged carrying out the orders on this
subject This letter designates the circumstances under
which the duties required will be executed by the officers
of the navy, or by those OF the army. So far has
army, it is sanctioned by this department, and you are
hereby directed it to be observed The general
directions therein contained alike applicable to the
officers and persons connected with each branch of the
public service:
particularly enoined that care should be taken to
give full effect to the thirteenth regulation If properly
carried out, it will eecualy the officers of the
army and navy, and soldiers, sailors, and marines,
against advance in the price OF the articles which they
may need for their use, BY the operation of the pro-
posed measure OF raising contributions from the enemy
The contributions referred to in the foregoing nsruc-
tons all those which may be proper to levy up
the enemy AS the Mexcans persist in protractng the
| otoI Fxr>
you will exercise all the acknowledged rights of belli-
gerent for the purpose of shifting the burden of it from
ourselves upon them The views OF the government in
this respect, were presented to General Taylor in de-
spatc from this department OF the of September 1876
copy of which, lar relates to this subject here
with sent TO you, with the direction that these views may
be carried out under discretion similar TO that given
him. The enemy should be made to realize that there
other inducements to make them desire peace besides
the loss of battles, and the burden of their military
establishments The right of an army, operating insan
enemys country to seize supplies, to forage, and to
occupy such buildings, private well as public, as
may be required for quarters hospitals, storehouses,
and other military purposes, without conjunction
therefor cannot be questioned and expected that you
will not forego the exercise of this right to any extent
compatible with the interest OF the service in which you
are engaged
Very respectfully, your obedent servant
w. L. MARCY, Secretary of War.
Major General WINFIELD ScoTr. commanding.
Ertraci from letter to Gen Taylor, Deferred to in the
Secretarys instructiOns,) dated
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, Sept %, 1916.
1t is far from being certain that our military occupation
of the enemys country is not blessing to the inhabitants
the vicinity They shielded from the burdens and
exactons of their authorities protected in their per-
sons and furnished with most profitable market for
most kinds of their property state of things so favor
able to their interest may induce them wish the con-
tnuance of hosities.
The instructions heretofore given have required you
treat with great kindness the people, to respect private
property and to abstain from appropriang it to the pub
lie use without purchase at fair price. In some re-
specs this is going far beyond the requirements
Of civilized warfare. An invading army has the unques-
tonable right to draw its supplies from the enemy with
out paying for them, and require contributions for its
support II may be proper and good policy requires that
determinations should be made in imposing these bur
dens Those who friendly disposed, or contribute
aid should be treated with beray yet the enemy may
be made to feel the weight of the war, and thereby be-
come interested TO their best efforts to bring about
state of peace.
1t is also but Just that nation which is involved in
obtain justice, to maintain its just rights should
shift the burden OF it, far practicable from itself
by throwing it upon the enemy.
Upon the liberal principles of civilized warfare, either
OF three modes may be pursued in relation to obtaining
supplies from the enemy. First TO purchase them on
such terms the inhabitants OF the country may choose
exact; second to pay fair price, without regard to
the enhanced value resulting from the presence OF for
eign arny and third to require them contributions,
without paying, or engaging to pay therefor
The last mode is the ordinary one and you are in
structed TO adopt it, if that way you satisfied you
can get abundant supplies for your forces but should
CON difficulty thta reapc~t than Won rill