Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-12-10

U|N"Ntan AN|N EioI-AA| AtkNt y AN"8~WH w fAf tNM
ed TO yield TO foreign Influences, aud 80 east
themselves into the arms Of some European
monarch for protection from the asrfchy and
nafferinq which would cnsnr. This, Tor onr own
safety, and In pursuance Of our established poll
~, we should Be compelled to resist We could
never consent that Mexico should be thus con
converted into a monarchy governed BY a for
eigp prince.
RIGS arc co-terninous with our own, through the
whole extent across the North American cont.
ncnt, from ocean to ocean. Both politically and
commercially, we have the deepest interest in
her regeneration and prosperity. Indeed, Il IL
impossible that, with any just regard to our W
safety, VIC can never become Indifferent 20 her
fate.
Il may be that the Mexican government and
people have misconstrucd or misunderstood our
forbearancc, and our objects, IN desiring 10 con-
clude an amicable adjustment Of the existing
differences between tho two countries. They
may have supposed that we would submit 10
terms degrading to the nation or they may
have drawn false differences from the supposed
division Of opinion in the United States on the
subject Of the war, and may have calculated 10
gain much by protracting il and, indeed, that
We might ultimately abandon Il altogether, with
ont insisting on any Indemnity, Territorial or
otherwise. Whatever may be die false impress
tDut uuNtf NuhIn tItl nhNt uNAcol tut NAAblbbh
and prosecution Of the energetic policy propos-
ed must seen undeceive them.
In the future prosecution Of the war, the enc
my must be made TO feel It's pressure more than
they have heretofore done. At its commence
ment, il wns deemed proper 10 conduct Il IN a
spirit Of forbearance and lberality. With this
end 10 view, early measures were adopted to
conciliate, as far as a state Of war would permit,
the mass Of the Mexican population TO con-
vince them that the war was waged not against
the peaceful Inhabitants Of Mexico, but neainst
their faithless government, which had commence
ed hostilities; TO remove from their minds the
false impressions which their designing and in
teresied rulers had artfully attempted to make,
that the war on our part wns one Of conquest,
that it wss a war against their religion and their
churches, which were TO be desccraied and over
thrown; and that their rights Of person and pri-
waite property would be violated. To remove
these false impressions, our commanders ia the
field were directed scrupuionsiy to respect their
religion, their churches, and their church prop
erty, which were ia no manner 10 be violated
they were directed also TO respect the rights Of
persons and property Of all who should not take
up arms against US.
Assurances 20 this effect wenp given to the
Mexican people by Major General Taylor, in a
proclamation issued in pursuance Of instructions
from the Secretary Of War, in tho month of
june, 1916, and again by Major General Scott.
who acted upon his own convictions Of the pro-
priety ofissuing il, in approximation Of the 18th
Of May, 1647.
In this spirit Of lberality and Cancellation, and
with n view 70 prevent the body Of the Mexican
population from taking up arms gainst Us, was
the war conducted on our part Provisions and
other supplies furnished TO our army by Mexi-
eau citizens, were paid for ai a fair and liberal
price agreed upon by the parties After the
lapse Of = few months, ii became apparent that
these assurances and this mild treatment, had
failed to produce the desired effect upon the
Mexican population. While the war had been
conducted on our part according 10 The most hu-
name and liberal principles observed by ~civiliz-
ed nations, Il was waged in a far different spirit
on the part Of Mexico. Not apPreciating our
forbearance, the Mexican people generally be-
came hostile 10 the United States, and ayailed
themselves Of every opportunity to commit the
most savage excesses upon our troops Large
numbers Of the population took up arms, and,
engaging in guerrilla warfare, robbed and muir
dercd IN the most cruel manner individual sol
daers, or small parties. whom accident or other
causes had separated from the main body q our
army bands Of guerrillas and robbers infested
the roads, harassed our trains, and, whenever il
was in their power. cut off our supplies.
The Mexicans having thus shownt themselves
TO be wholly incapable Of approaching our for
Se~tAhft anu hoCfdilys II was deemed proper to
change the manner Of conducting the war. by
making them feel its pressnres according 70 Inc
nsages observed under similar circumstances by
all other civilized nations.
Accordingly, as early rs tho 22d Of Septem-
Der, lS46, instructions were given by the Sec
Rotary Of War to Major General TAYLOR to aaraw
supplies for our army from the enemy, with
out paying for them, and to require contributions
for its support" IL in that way he was satisfied
he could get abundant supplies for his forces"
In directing the execution Of these instructions
much was necessarily LEFT 70 the discretion 81
the commanding officer, who was best acquaint-
ed with the circumstances by which he was sur
rounded, the wants Of the army, and the practi-
cability Of enforcing the measure.
General Taylor, on the twenty-sixth Of Octo-
Der, 1886, replied, from Monterrey, that 1T
would have been impossible hitherto, and is 50
now, to sustain the army to any extent by forced
contributions Of money or supplies" For the
reasons Unsigned by him, he did not adopt the
policy of his instructions, but declared his read
ines to do 50, SHOULD the army, in It's future on
e%rations, reach a portion Of The country which
may be made to supply the troops with advan-
tage.' lie continued to pay for the articles Of
supply which were drawn from the cnemy's
country.
Similar Instructions were issued to Major
General Scott on the third Of April, lS47, who
.vPiieu, IRON Jalnpas on the twentieth day of
May, lS47, that, il It be expected that sthe ar
my is to support itself by forced contribution
levied upon the country, we may ruin and ex-
asperate the inhabitants, and starve ourselves
The same discretion was given TO him that had
been to General Taylor in this respect. Gener-
al Scot, for the reason assigned by him. also
continued 20 pay for the articles Of supply for
the army which we've drawn from the enemy.
After the army had reached The heat Of the
most wealthy portion of Mexico, it was stppos-
ed that the obstacles which had before that time
prevented il, would cot be such as TO render RI.
practicable the levy of forced contributions for
is support; and on the first of September, and
again on the sixth Of October, 1917, the order
was repeated in dispatches addressed by the
Secretary Of War to General Scott, and IA AZ
tention was again called TO the Importance a.
making the enemy bear the burdens Of the war
by requiring them to furnish the means Of sun.
porting our army and he was directed to adopt
tins policy, unless, by doing so, there was dan
ger OF depriying the army Of the Necessary sun
port Copies Of these dispatches we're forward.
cd to General Taylor for his government.
On the 3lst Of March last, I caused nm order N
be issncd TO our military and naval commanders ID
levy and collect a military contribution upon All