Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1847-02-05
HETEER.


Monterey, Mexico, Nov. 9, 1916
NJ, DEAR #ass*a.%@"f Your very kind and &C
Gcptabic letter of the 3lst OF August, *f***"*
reached me only short time since, for which
bpT leave to tender you my sincere thanks. Ia
few confidential remarks on certain public trans
actions are here omitted.
After considerable apparent delay on the part
of the Quartermaster's Department, in getting
steamboats, into the Rio Grande adapted to It's nav-
catiGnE succeeded, towards the latter part OF
AuUsI-E. in throwing forward to Camargo, Ga town
situate; on the San Juan river, three miles from
its innstion with the Rio Grande, on the west side,
nearly 500 miles from Brazos island by water,
and 2G@ by land, and l4O from this place. a con-
siderable depot of provisions, ordnance, ammuni-
ton aad forage and then, having brought togeth-
pr a important portion of my command, deter
mined on moving on this place. Accordingly,
after collecting 200 pack mules, with their at
tendauts and conductors, in the enemy country
the principal means OF transportation tor our pro-
gisions baggage, &c.) LETT on the 9th OF Sep
tcIIIhcr. 10 Join my advance, which had proceeded
Inc a few DAYS TO Cerralvo small village 70
miles on the route. which did on the 9th, and,
after waiting there a few days for some OF the
corps 10 get up. moved on and reached here on
the 18th, with 6,250 men-2,TOO regulars, the
balance. volunteers. For what took place after
wasds ! must refer you to my several reports
particularly TO my detailed one of the 9th ult. L
at all satisfied with my conduct in regard 10 the
terms * the capitulation entered into with the
Mexican commander, which you no doubt have
seen, as they have been made public through the
official organ, and copied into various other news
yapers, | have this moment received an answer
Ito my despatch announcing the surrender OF
Monterey, and the circumstances attending the
same) from the Secretary OF War, stating that
it was regretted by the President that it was not
Id, IN iDsI 81
hosed in nv first communication TO the Mexican
comma uher in regard to giving up the city
adding that % the circumstances which dictated,
no doubt justified the change" Although the
terms of capitulaton may be considered too ll6er-
nj on nur part by the President and his advisers:
well as by many others at distance, partlcu-
lary by those who do not understand the position
which we occupied, otherwise they might come
10 different conclusion in regard TO the matter)
vet Og due reflection, | see nothing to induce me
10 regret the course pursued. The proposition
on the part of General Ampudia-which had much
TO do in determining my course IN the matter
was based on the ground that our government
had proposed to his to settle the existing dlihcul
ties by negotiation, (Which knew was the case,
without Knowing the result) which was then un.
der consideration by the proper authorities and
which he General Ampuda) had no doubt would
result flvOrably, as the whole OF his people were
in favor of peace If so, considered the further
cllusiun of blood not on y unnecessary, out I'M
proper Their force was also considerably larger
than ours; and from the size and position oil me
place we could not completely invest 1t; so that
the greater portion of their troops-if not the
whoie-had they been disposed TO do so, could
any night have abandoned the city, at once entered
the mountain passes, and effected their retreat do
hyhat we could Had we been put 10 the alterna-
live of taking the place by storm, (Which there
is no doubt we should have succeeded in doIngO
we sEoud in all probability, have lost fifty or one
hundred men in killed. besides they wounded, which
/ wished 10 avoid, as there appeared TO be pros
pect Of peace, even if distant one. also wish
ed to avoid the destruction OF women and children,
which must have been very great, had the storm
ing process been resorted 10. Besides, they had
a very large and strong fortifcatIon a short dis
tauce from the city, which, if carried with the
bayonei, must have been taken at great sacrifice
oflife and with our limited train OF heavy or bat
ternu artillery, It would have required twenty or
twenjy-i five days to take it by regularaPproaches
Ti,at they should have surrendered place
nearly rs strong as Quebec, well iortlhed under
the direction of skilful engineers-their works
garnshed with forty-twopieces OF artillery, album
dainty supplied with ammunition, garrsoned by
1000 regular and 1000 irregular troops, in addi-
lion TO some thousand citizens capable OF, (and
no dcabt actually,) bearing arms, and aiding IN
its detencc-to an opposing force OF hall their
number, scantily supplied with provisions, and
with 4 light train of artlllery-ls among the unac-
countable occurrences of the times.
7, am decidedly opposed to carrying the war be-
yond Saltillo in this direction, which place has
been entirely abandoned by the Mexican forces,
all of:whom have been concentrated at San LUIS
Potosi; and shall lose no time in taking posses
sion of the former as soon as the cessation of hos
tilities referred to expires-which have notified
The Mexican authorities will be the case on the
18th instant, by direction of the President of the
United States.
If we are Gin the language of Mr.. Polk and
General Scott) under the necessity of conquer
ing peace" and that by taking the capitol OF
the country, we must 90 TO Vera Cruz, take that
place, and then march on the city of Mexico.