The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1847-02-25
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2aud. 1917.
THE CAPITULATiON OF MONTEREY
To the editor of the Union:
VICTORIA, TAMAULIPAs, Mexico.
T.nuarv 1917
January 6, 1917.

VICTORIA, TAMAULIPAs, Mexico,
January 6, Is47}
Dear Sir. After much speculation, and
no little misrepresentation about the caplu-
lation of Monterey perceive by our recent
newspapers, that discussion has arisen as
10 who is responsible for that Transaction
AS one of the commissioners who were en-,
trusted by Gen. Taylor with the arrangement
of the terms upon which the city Of Monte
rey and his Notifications should be delivered
10 our forces, have had frequent occasion to
Tecur TO the course then adopted, and the
considerations which led TO it. Ny judg
ment after the fact has fully sustained my
decisions at The date OF the occurrence; and
feeling myself responsible for the instrument
as we prepared & presented 10 the command
ing general, have The satisfaction, affair all
subsequent events, to believe that the terms
we offered were expedieni, and honorable,
and wise. A distinguished gentleman with
whom acted on that commission, Gen Hen
derson, saysin recent published letter, 81
did not at the time, nor do [ still like the
terms, but acted as one of the commissioners
together with Gen. Worth and Col. Davis, 10
carry out Gen. Taylor's Instructions. We
ought aud could have made them surrender
at discretion," &C., &c.
From each position taken in the above
paragraph dissent. The Instructions given
by Gen Taylor only presented his object.
and fixed limit TO the powers OF his COM
missloners; hence, when points were raised
which exceeded our discretion, they were
referred TO the commander; but minor points
acted ON, and finally submitted as a
part of our negotiation. We fixed The time
within which he Mexican forces should re-
tire from Monterey. We agreed upon the
time we would wait for The decision Of the
respective governments, which recnpecI
was less by thirty -four days than the Mexican
commissioners asked-.Ihe period adopted
being that which, according 10 our estimate,
was required 10 bring up The rear oflhe army
with the ordinance and supplies necessary
for further operations.
did not then, nor do now, believe we
could have made the enemy surrender al
discretion. Had entertained the opinion
1t would have been given TO the commission
and TO the general, and would have preclud
ed me from signing an agreement which per
mitted the garrison TO retire with honors o
war. 1t is demonstratable, lroul the position
and known prowess of the Two armies, that
we could drive the enemy from the town
but the town was untenable whilst the mali
fort (caled the new ci.adel) remained in th.
hands of the enemy. Being without seigt
artillery or entrenching tools, we could only
hope to carry this fort by storm, alter heav,
loss from our army; which, isolated in a hos
tile county, now numbered less than halfih,
forces of the enemy. When all this hat
been achieved, what more could we have
gained than by the capituaion.
Gen. TaylOr's force was TOO small to inves
the town. 1t was, therefore, always in th,
power of the enemy 10 retreat, bearing hI
light arms. Our army-poorly provided, ant
with very insufficient nspouation-coul(
moi have overlaken. ifihey had pursued tn,
flying enemy. Hence the conclusion thai
as it was not in our power to capture tn,
j main body of the Mexican army, it is IN
reasonable 10 suppose their general woult
udNO SuIlCiOOiCu dl ulSCEttlOH. NC mora
effect of retiring under the capiulaton wa
certainly greater than if the enemy had re
! treated without our consent BY this cours
we secured the large supply of ammunitio
J he had collected in Monterey which, ha'
6,the assault continued, must have bee
otexploded by our shells, as it was principal
stored in the Cathedral, which, being sup
posed 10 be filled with troops,was the especia
: aim OF our pieces. The destruction whc
Ii this explosion would have Produced mus
h have involved the advance of both division
c of our troops ;and commend this TO the con
:, temptation of those whose arguments hav
been drawn from facts learned since III
9 commissioners closed their Negotiations
I With these introductory remarks, ] send
. copy of manuscript in my possession, whlc
q was prepaI ed 10 meet such necessity as nov
a exists ior an explanation OF The views whic
P governed the commissioners in arranging th
:, terms of the equalization, to justify the con
ii handing general, should misrepresentation
and calumny attempt 10 tafnish his we'll earl
ed reputation, and, for all time to come,
fix the truth of the transaction. Please pul