Tri-weekly journal., 1847-12-23
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.

The Report OF Mr.. Secretary Marcy, accom-
panying the Presidents Message, fills six and half
of the large columns of the Union. Unless we
exclude every thing else from our paper we
cannot publish all these long public documents;
and no doubt our readers will be better satisf-
ed to receive their contents in a condensed
form. ~ AZ
The Secretary states from the returns in the
Office of the Adjutant General, our present
military force in Mexico and its distribution.
The whole force is estimated at 43, 536, of
which 81 500 are regulars. Of these there are
with Gen. Scott and en- route to join his col
umn 81, 1856 Under Gen. Taylor 6,727. In
In Santa Fe and on the Oregon and Santa Fe
routes 1854. In California 1919.
He occupies four or more columns in mar
rative of the military operations in Mexico, du-
ring the past year, compiled from official doc
uments, most of which we have pulished.-
This narrative is we'll drawn up and is inter-
esting. He gives due credit to the cool and
determir ed bravery and skill of both our Off
GERS and men. .4.... -f -.-.
The war must be continued, he thinks. upon
one of three plans. l: To take and hold an in
demnity line, recedIng from all places in adj
vance oft. 2: To overrun the whole country,
permanently garrassoning all the principal
places. 3: To retain what we possess, open
the lines of communication into the interior,
seize such other important places as we may
deem of advantage, and find means TO accom-
plish, keeping disposable force TO annoy the
enemy, to seize supplies, enforce contributions,
, and Illustrate his efforts, to collect means and
, troops to prolong the campaign.
"With reference to a speedy peace, with
proper indemnity and security-THE ONLY OBJ
JEcr OF TIE WAR, the line policy is regarded as
objectionable. If our present position fails to
command acceptable terms of peace, the adop-
ton of the line policy and the consequent absn-
donment of many of the places now occupied,
would not only fail of the desired result, but
weaken the inducements. of the enemy to end
the war, as it would leave hi with more
abundant resources and leasure TO prepare to
strike more efficient blows upon our detached
posts. To maintain such line would require
large additional force, assailed as 1t might be
at different points, by Mexicans and savages on
either side. And the enemy instead of being
made to bear the burden of the war, would find
his advantages in the demand for supplies for
our troops, and in an advance in price OF the
articles supplied. ...J ......1
| To the second plan it is objected, that the
wide extent of the Mexican territory, the nu-
merous points to be garrisoned, and the long
lines of communication to be kept open amidst
La hostile people, would require a force of not
less than $4,000 men, large addition TO our
present force, and heavy if not embarrassing
demands upon our Treasury. ~
| The Secretary prefers the third plan-the re-
tenlion of the points we occupy, keeping open
tirea'--s Of communication, end the occupa-
ton OF other places deemed advantageous
the best calculated favorabIy to affect those in
Mexico who have hitherto left little inconven-
fence from the war, but who, nevertheless;
may hold in their hands the decision of the
Lquestion Of peace, and should, therefore, bs
{ made to feel the pressure OF the war. This plar
will require, in addition to the troops 10 garri
son the places retained, a force in the field com
potent TO aggressive operation-to strike the
enemy wherever he presents a vulnerable
point, open avenues into the interior from the
sea ports in our possession, and to cover and
! control some of the rich mining districts anc
productive agricultural regions. To proceed
on this plan will require additional troops
The % regiments of regulars when filled up tC
; the limit of the law, will number 28,Sl4, ex
elusive of officers. The present strength being
: 81 ,5S3, an increase of 1881 men will have
: to be enlisted. This plan the Secretary ap
proves. ...Ia
>, The efforts to induce volunteers, whose
: terms expire, TO re-engage for during the wal
has not succeeded. Additional Inducements
he thinks, should be held out to them, by pla-
cling both descriptions of force, as to bounty
and pay, on the same footing. He recommend:
a consolidation of the broken regiments &c.
OF volunteers, and that the supernumerary Of
ficers be engaged in recruiting, and if they fai
in this, that they be discharged. Ten addition
al regiments Of regulars are proposed, for the
sanction of Congress at an early period. This
force is preferred to one composed of volun
! teers.
But little has heretofore been received from
collections and contributions from the enemy
but more is looked for in future. The Secre
tary recommends prompt payment 10 Mexican
Icitizens from property taken for the public, To-
some of which the officers have become respon
sible. The Communication for clothing to vol
unteers should be discontinued. as cheaper anC
,, better clothing can be supplied by Govern
ment Three Hospital Surgeons are called for
The West Point institution is recommended
! to the care qfCongress, and appropriations aske'
for an annual Board of Examiners.
: This Report is important, at least in its sug
2 gestions upon the mode of prosecuting the war
d From this the President makes his recommen
dations to Congress- Gazette. )