Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-02-04

war--at the same time closely blockading all her
ports on the Pacific and Gulf. A course Of this
kind, If persevered in for short time, would soon
bring her to her proper senses, and compel her to
sue for peace-provided there is a government i'm
the country sufficiently stable for to treat with
which fear will hardly be the case for many wears
to come. Without large reinforcements of volun-
teers from the United States-say ten or fifteen
thousand. Chose previously out having already
been greatly reduced by sickness and other casual
tes) do not believe it would be advisable to march
beyond Snitio, which is more than 200 miles be-
You'd our depots on the Rio Grande.--a very long
line on which to keep up supplies Cover land route
IN country like ths) for large force, and certain
to be attended with an expense which it will be
frighful to contemplate, when closely looked into.
From Saltilio to San Luis Potosi, the next place
OF Importance on the road to the city of Mexico is
three hundred milestone hundred and forty badly
watered, where no supplies Of any kind could be
procured for men ,r horses. i have informed the
War Department that 1000 efficient men would
be necessary to insure success if we move on that
place-(a city containing population of 10000,
where the enemy could bring together and sustain,
besides the citizens, army of 50,O00) force
which apprehend will hardly be collected by us
with the train necessary to feed it as well as to
transport various other supplies particularly ord
nance and munitions of war.
In regard to the armistice, which would have ex-
pred by limitation in 4 few days, we lost nothing
by 1t as we could not move even now, had the enc
my continued to occupy Satillo; for, strange to
say, the first wagon which has reached me since
the declaration of war was, on the I'd inst, the
same day which received from Washington an
acknowledgement of my despatch announcing the
taking OF Monterey; and then | received only 1875,
so that have been, since May last completely Grip
pied, and am still so, for want of transportation
Alter raking and scraping the country for miles
round Camargo, collecting every pack-mule and o.
ther means of transportation, could bring here
| dov' ly \
moderate supply of ordnance, ammunition, &C., to
do which, all the corps had to leave behind 4 por-
ton of their camp equipage necessary for their com
tort, and, In some instances, among the volunteers,
their personal baggage. / moved in such a way,
and with such limited means, that, had | not sue
ceeded, should no doubt have been severely re-
primanded, if nothing worse did to sustain
| the Administration. >
Of the two regiments of mounted men from Ten
nessee and Kentucky, who left their respective
States TO join me, in june the latter has Just reach
ed Camargo; the former had not got to Matamoras
at the latest dates from there. Admitting that they
VIII be rs long In returning as in getting here, (to
say nothing of the time necessary to recruit their
horses) and were to be discharged in time to reach
their homes, they could serve in Mexico but very
short time. The foregoing remarks are not made
with the view of finding fault with any one but to
point out the difficulties with which have had to
contend.
Monterey, the capitol of New Leon, is situated
on the San Juan River, where it comes out of the
mountans,-the city (Which contains population
of about twelve thousand) being in part surrounded
by them, at the head of large and beautiful valley
The houses are of stone, in the Moorish style, with
flat roofs, which, with their strongly incoscd yards
and gardens in high stone walls all looped for musk
etry, make them each fortress within itself 1t
is the most important place in Northern Mexico,
Cor on the east side OF the Sierra Madre, command
ing the only pass road for carriages from this side
between it and the Gulf of Mexico, to the table
lands of the Sierra, by or through which, the city
| of Mexico can be reached.
much fear shall have exhausted your patience,
before you get half through this long and uninteres
ting letter If SO, you can only commit it to the
flames, and think no more about it. rs write in
great haste, besides being interrupted every five
minutes; that you must make great allowances
for bots, interlineations and blunders, as well as
want of connection in many parts of the same
BE so good as to present me most kindly to your
excellent lady, and accept my sincere wishes for
your continued health, prosperity and fame.
remain, truly and sincerely,
| Your friend.
II. TAYLOR