The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-18
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF OCCUPATION.
Matamoros, August /. lSl6

blatamoros, August /, 1916
SIR: have the honor 10 acknowledge the receipt of
the confidential communication OF the Secretary of War
dated July 9th, and to present the following remarks in
relation to the several points embraced in it. Agreeably
to the injunction OF the Secretary, this communication
IS addressed directly to the President of the United
States.
lst As to the intercourse with the enemy and means of
obtaining information with regard to his movements, &c.
lear that very satisfactory results will be obtained
IN the way proposed The Mexican generals and other
officers have exhibited, since the commencement of hos
hlltes, determination to hold with little inter-
course possible. most rigid non-intercourse has
been observed throughout and since the 18th of June
no communication whatever has passed between the
headquarters OF the two armies shall not fail to i'm
prove such occasions when they present themselves in
the manner pointed out by the Secretary Since crossing
the Rio Grande 1t has been my constant aim TO conca,e
the people of the country and have the satisfaction of
believing that much has been done towards that object
not only here but at Reinoso Camargo and other towns
higher up the river The only obstacle | encounter in
carrying out this desirable policy, arises from the employ
ment OF volunteer troops. Some excuses have been
committed by them upon the people and their property
and MORE Tear, are to be apprehended With every
exeron, II Is impossible efec'ualy to control these
troops, unaccustomed they to the discipline of
camps, and osng bodies, the restraining sense of in
divdua responsibility With increased length OF service
these evils, IT is hoped, will diminish.
3D. In regard TO avaing ourselves OF internal diyi-
sions and discords among the Mexcans it is hardly time
veto say how far this may be relied upon an element
OF success have good to believe that the coun
try lying between the Rio Grande and Sierra NIadre 10
disposed to throw oft the yoke of the central government
and WILL perhaps, do so as it finds strong Amer
lcan force between 1T and the capital shall do all in
my power TO encourage this movement of which re-
ceivea INDICATIONS from many quarters and shall comply
fully with the instructions of the Secretary on that
point.
3D. As to the military operations best calculated to secure
an carry and honorable peace my report of July will have
put the Department IN possession Of my touching
operations IN tins quarter, and have little TO add 10
that report Whether large force be subsisted be-
You'd Monterey, must be determined by actual expert
meni, and will depend much upon the disposition OF the
inhabitants towards US If a column-say 10000 men,
can be sustained IN provisions at Sallo it may advance
thence upon San Luis Potosi and, ! doubt not would
speedily bring proposals for peace. II, the other hand
column cannot be sustained beyond Monterey it will
he Tor the government to determine from considerations
paments Gncluding chihuahua and New Mexico \ or in
addition to such occupation expedition against the
capital lby way of Vera Ctuzl be most expedient can
expedition against Vera Cruz or the amount of force that