The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-19
PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.
Correspondence between the War D'fA ~
Gen. Taylor -
CONTINUED from yesterdays Union
1rhi. d...nnlch was inlereepted by Ihe encmy.l

Gen. Taylor -
CONTINUED from yesterdays "o"'o"
IThs despatch was intercepted by the encmy.l
W,R Department Washington, Sept 2, 1916.
SIN II ia intended to make descent on the gull coast
Of Maxico as soon as the shall have so lar all
yanced as to render safe in regard to the health OF ON
troops. - 80 Of tho rl,cos
for The attack II may be important to take that place
and hold possession of it and the surrounding country,
with reference to Your line OF operations lhough our
information is not full and accurate as we desire In
relation to the interior of the country IN me vchty OF
Tampico il is such induces us 10 believe hai ths
will be an important position TO be occupied to facltae
the future prosecution OF the The possession OF tne
northern provinces of Mexico far south as San LUIS de
Potos undoubtedly an important object win reference
to bringing the war to successful termination Inc on
cultes you will encounter in pushing your forces mus
far be much better appreciated by yourself than any
other San Luis de Poos is stated to be from one nun
dred and City to one hundred and eighty miles from Tam
pico; and if there he good road between these TWO
pIaces-as alege to be the case, while 1t is 9ues-
toned BY otherst will be highly advantageous to have
possession OF Tampco and to penetrate the country from
that point in the direction OF San Luis de Poosi with
considerable force This matter is under consideration
and will receive the attention deserves IL IS important
in respect to the plan OF operations to be adopted tor
movement this point that you should furnish the gov
eminent here, at the earliest period with your opinion OF
the progress you will be able to make on your present
line Of operations When you shall have arrived al
Monterey YOU will be enabled to determine as to the
practicaby of your further progress 1t is important
that we should know whether you reach San Luis
de Po,osi and your opinion on this point is particularly
desired The administration IS, to some extent aware OF
the obstacles will have 10 encounter OF the dhcul
ties of sustaining long line OF communication, and OF
the uncertainty as to the force which will oppose you
but your better information these several points will
enable you to form much more accurate opinions.
Your views also the effect OF taking possession OF
Tampco Of penetrating the enemys country from that
point of the amount and kind oil force to be assigned 10
that service, are desired
ing column by any movements on the coast 1t is sup
posed that fifteen hundred two thousand men will be
sufficient number OF troops to take and hold possession
of Tampico AT least half of this force ought to be OF
the regular army These, is presumed can be obtained
without Withdrawing any of that description of force now
with you.
The amount Of the volunteer force required for this
purpose be taken from the Rio Grande Is presumed
without too much weakening that line
AS YOU are in situation to obtain full and
information in relation TO all the matters touched on
in this communication, il is desrabe-indeed quite i'm
portanttha the administration should have your views
upon them is unnecessary to assure you that they
will have important influence upon its determinations
am, with great respect, your ebedlent servant,
w. L. MARCY
Secretary of War
Major General z. TAYLOR commanding U. s. army in
Mexico, Camargo Mexico
WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, Sept %, 1916.
SIR You will perceive by copy OF desPatch-here-
with confdentially communicated, from the Mexican
government in reply to one from our own proposing to
open negotiations for terminating the existing war by
peace lust and honorable to both partiesha the Mexi
authorities have declined to treat at this time and de-
fer defntve action offer until the advice OF new
Congress- to assemble the 9th Of December next can
be taken.
This determination the part Of our enemy has an
important bearing military movements, and sug
gess the poprety OF change of policy in regard to our
dealings with the people OF the country occupied by our
troops
Public opinion, it be presumed will have in
uence upon the decision OF that Congress The progress
of arms and the positions we may occupy when that
body shall together cannot fail to have effect upon
its action in regard to our proposal to negotiate. Should
the campaign be successful and our troops be IN posses
sion of important departments of the enemys country the
inducements for speedy peace will be greatly strength
ened
of the enemy's country is not blessing to the inhabi
tans in the vicinity They shielded from the burdens
and exactons OF their authorities protected in their
persons, and furnished with most profitable market for
kinds of their property state of things so favor
able their interests may induce them to wish the
tinuance of hOstlites
The instructions heretofore given have required you to
treat with great kindness the people, to respect private
property and to abstain from aPproprauns to the pub
lie without purchase at fair price In some respects,
this going far beyond the common requirements OF CIV
ilized warfare An invading army has the unquestiona
paying for Them and require contributions for its sup
determinations should be made in imposing these bur-
dens. Those who friendly disposed contribute aid
should be treated with berality; yet the enemy may be
made to feel the weight of the and thereby become
interested to their best efforts TO bring about state of
peace.
II is also but just that nation which is involved in
war to obtain justice or to maintain its just rights, should
shit the burden OF IT, as lar as pracucaDe, from tsen by
throwing il upon the enemy.
Upon the liberal principles of civilized warfare, either
of three modes may be pursued in relation obtaining
supplies from the enemy FIRST to purchase them such
terms the inhabitants of the country may choose to
exact; second to pay fair price without regard to the
enhanced value resulting from the presence OF foreign
army; and third, to require them contributions with
out paying engaging to pay therefor.
The last mode is the ordinary one, and you in
structed adopt it, if in that way you satisfied you
can get abundant supplies for your forces; but should
YOU apprehend difficulty in this respect then you will
adopt the policy Of paying the ordinary price, without al
lowing to the owners the advantages of the enhance
ment of the price resulting from the increased demand
Should you apprehend deficiency under this last mode
of dealing with the inhabitants you will be obliged to
submit to their exacons, provided by this mode you
supply your wants better terms than by drawing what
YOU may need from the United States Should you at
tempt to supply your troops by contributions, the APP
preparation of private property, you will be careful to ex-
empt the property of all foreigners from any and all
actions whatsoever. The President hopes you will be
able to derive from the enemys country, without expense
to the United States the supplies you may need
considerable part of them but should you fail in this, you
will procure them in the most economical manner
1t is proposed TO take possession of the Department of
Tamaulpas, some of the principal places in it. at the
earliest practicable period. In this enterprise is be-
eyed that cooperation OF our squadron in the gulf
will be important if not necessary II is presumed that
force of about three four thousand men will be sui
cen for this purposeone third OF which should be of the
regular army.