The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-02-06
TIL E called IN.
The Army--Letter from Gener-
al Taylor.

We copy from the New York Express the
following letter, written by Gen. Taylor, TO
Gen. Gaines. 1t has no appearance of av-
ing been written for publication, though the
sagacious reader may peceive in it more than
one indication that the General while looking
out for the MeXicans around aud before him,
is not unmindful of possible fire in the
rear"
The New York Commercial Advertiser, in
publishing the letter, says: 'by the way, is it
not time 10 devise new aud better fancy
name for General Taylor than 'Rough-aud-
Ready" His writings show that he is ready
enough for all that becomes a man, hut Ger
tainly we can find nothing particularly
rough in them"
Hin. QGs. ARMY OF OCCUPATION OR INVASION,
Monterey, Mexico, Nov. 9, lSl6
My dear *****"
Your very kind and acceptable letter of the
3Ist of August """*kF*S. reached me only
II short time since, for which | beg leave to
tender you my sincere thanks. A few con-
fidential remarks on certain public truusac-
tons are here omitted.
After considerable apparent delay on the
part ofthe Or. Masters Department, III get
ting steamboats, Into the Rio Gramde adapted
to its navigation, succeeded, towards the
latter part of August, in throwing forward 20
Camargo, Ia town situated on the San Juan
River, three miles from It's junction with the
Rio Graude, on the west side, nearly 800
miles from Bruzos Island by water aud 200
by land, and l40 from this place. a c"nside-
able depot ofprovsious, ordnance, nmmuul-
ton and forage, aud then having brought to-
geher an important portion ofmy command,
determined on moving on this place.
Accordingly, after collecting 100 pack
mules with their attendants aud conductors,
in the encmys country, (the principal means
of transportation for our provisions, baggage,
&c., l left, OH the 9Th of September to join
my advance, which had preceded me Il
few days to Scrralvo, small village seventy
five miles on the route, which | did
on the 9th, and, ALTERNATING there a few days
for some of the corps TO get up, moved on
and reached here on the 10Th, with $3.50 men
200 regulars, the balance volunteers. For
what took place afterward must refer you
to my several reports-particularly to my de-
tailed one of the 9th ult. do not believe that
the authorities at Washington are at all salts
fed with my conduct in regard to The terms
ofthe capitu|ation entered into with the Mex
lean commander, which you no doubt have
seen, as they have been made public through
the official organ, and copied into various 9th
er newspapers. lhave ut this moment re-
ceived an answer Ito my despatch announ-
cling the surrender ofMonterey, and the cir
cunlstances attending the same,) from the
Secretary of War, stating that sit was regret
ted by the President that it was not deemed
advisable to insist on the terms had propos-
ed in my first communication to the Mexican
commander, in regard to giving up the city,"
adding that "the circumstances which dicta-
ted, no doubt justified the change"
Although the terms ofcapitulation may be
considered too liberal OH our part by the Pres
itlent and his advisers, as well rs by many
others at distance, particularly hy those who
do not understand the position which we oc-
cupied, otherwise they might come TO a diff
ferent conclusion in regard to the MATES, yet
on due reflection, see nothing to induce mo
to regret the course pursued The propo-
siton on the part ofGeneral Ampudia,which
had much 20 do in determining my course in
the matter, was based on the ground that our
government had proposed to his to settle the
existing difficulties by negotiations, (Which
knew was the case, without knowing the re-
sult,) which was then under consideration by
the proper authorities, and which he Gen.
Ampudia) had no doubt would result favora-
bly,, as the whole ofhis people were in favor