Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1847-12-16
[ Continued from, ti,sl page.

tending factions, and government subject
to constant changes.by successive revolutions
the continued successes of our arms may fail
to secure satisfactory peace. In such even
it may become propS for our commanding
generals in the field to give encouragement
and assurances OF protection to the friends OF
peace in Mexico in the establishment and
maintenance ola free republican government,
of their own choice, able and willing to con-
clude peace which would be Just to them
and secure to us the indemnity we demand
This may become the only mode of obtaining
such peace: Should such be the result,tne
war which Mexico has forced upon us would
thus be converted INTO an enduring blessing
to herself. After finding her torn and dis
tractcd by factions. aad ruled bv mitar,
usurpers, we should then leave her with re
publican government in the ENJOYMENT OF re
al independence. and domestic peace All
prosperity, performing all her relative du
ties in the great family ofnations, and promo
ting her own happiness by wise laws and
their faithful execution
IT. after affordIng tlli. encouragement and
protection. and after AL the persevering and
sincere efforts we have made from the mo
ment Mexico commenced the war, AMI prior
TO that time, to adjust differences with
her, we shall ultimately fail, then We shall
have exhausted all honorable means in pur
suit of peace, and must continue to occupy
her country with our troops. taking the full
measure of indemnity into our own hands, and
must enforce the terms which our honor de
mands.
To act otherwise, in the existing state of
things in Mexico, and to withdraw our army
without peace, would not only leave all the
wrongs of which we complain unredressed,
but would be the signal for new and fierce
civil dissensions and new revolutions-all
alike hostile to peaceful relations with the
United States.
Besides, there is danger, four troops were
Withdrawn before peace was concluded,
that the Mexican people. wearied with sue
cesssve revolutions, ant, deprived Of protec
ton tor their persons and property, night at
length be inclined to yield to foreign inhuen
ces, and to cast themselves into the arms of
some European monarch for protection from
the anarchy and suffering which would en-
sue. This for our own safety, and in pur
suan:e OF our established policy, we should
be compelled to resist. We could never con
sent that Mexico should be thus converted
into monarchy governed by foreign
prince.
Mexico is our near neighbor, and her
boundaries are coternnous with our own,
through the whole extent across the Mort
American continent, from ocean to ocean,
Both politically and commercially. we have
the deepest interest in her regeneration and
prosperity. Indeed, it is impossible that,
with any just regard to our own safety, we
can ever become Indifferent to her fate.
1t may be that the Mexican government and
people have misconstrued or misunderstood
GU" forbearance, and our objects, in desiring
to conclude an amicaple adjustment of the
existing differences between the two coun
tres: They may have supposed that we
would submit to terms degrading to the ma
ton; or they may have drawn false inferen
ces from the supposed division of opinion in
the United States on the subject of the war,
and may have calculated to gain much by
protracthg it; and, indeed. that we might,
ultimately abandon it altogether, without
insisting on any indemnity, terrorial or other
wise. Whatever may be the false impressions
under which they have acted, the adoption
and prosecution the energetic policy pro
posed must soon undeceive them.
In the future prosecution OF the war, the
enemy must be made to feel its pressure
more than they have heretofore done. Al
its commencement, it was deemed proper to
conduct it in spirit of forbearance and lib
crafty. With this end in view, early meas
ures were adopted to concil:ate, as tar as a
state of war would permit, the mass of the
Mexican populations; to convince them that
the war vas waged not against the peaceful
inhabitants of Mexico, but against their faith
less government, which had commenced hos
Titles; to remove from their minds the false
impressions which their designing and inter
ested rulers had artfully attempted 20 make
that f1le war on our part was one of conquest;
that it was war against their religion and
their churches, which were to be desecrated
and overtlrown; and that their rights Of per
son and private property would be violated.
To remove these false impressions, our com
manders in the field were directed sclupulous
Iy to respect their religion, their churches and
their church property, which were in no man
ner violated; they were directed also to re
spect the rights of persons and property of al
who would not take up arms against us.
Assurances to this effect were given to the
Mexican people by Major Genera Taylor ir
a proclamation issued in pursuance ofinstruc
tions from the Secretary of War, in the
month of June, 1916. and again by Maj
victons Of the propriety of issuing il in q
proclamation of the eleventh of May, 1847.
In this spirit of liberality and Cancellation
and with view to prevent the body of the
Mexican population from taking up arms a
gainst us, was the war conducted on our part
Provisions and other supplies furnished te
our army by Mexican citizens were paid fol
at fair and liberal prices agreed upon by the
parties. After the lapse Of few months, il
became apparent that these assurances, and
this mild treatment, had failed to produce
the desired effect upon the Mexican popula
ton. While the war lrad been conducted OF
our part according 10 the most humane ant
liberal principles observed by civilized ma
tons. it has been far different on the part o
Mexico. Not approaching our forbearance
the Mexican people generally became hos
tile to the United States, and availed them
selves of every opportunity to commit the
most savage excuses upon, orr troops
Large numbers of,he population took up arms
and. engaging in guerilla warfare, robbed
and murdered in the most cruel manner ind
yidual soldiers, or small parties, whom acct
dent or other Causes had separated from. the
main body Of our army; bands of g,,eriileros
and robbers infested the roads, harassed our
trains. and. whenever it was in their power
cut off our supplies.