The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-12-05
INTELLIGENCE By THE MAILS.
Interesting Intelligence from washington.

When the government Is In 4 dilemma, II 10
the duty of its Legislators 10 help il out-and to
do this judiciously and efficiently, it is indis-
pensable that they possess all the lights required
to an exposition of the subject in ali its shapes
and applications. Our government il in the
+ dilemma OF an Unreasonable war, and the ques-
ton Is, how are we to get out II will be the
prime duty OF the Congress gathering in this cap
ltal to consider and act upon this question:
Shall we fall back upon defensive line z Shall
we withdraw our forces entirely and surrender
everything back to Mexico to the Nueces p
Shall we prosecute the war with the hope of
coercing the Mexican authorities, such as they
are, to terms Shall we propose an arbitration,
or shall we go on with the work of annexation
to the neck of Panama.
The attractions to this latter expedient are
almost irresistible. The novel, the varied, the
untold resources of an empire, invite us onward,
not the mere empire of territory, but the domin-
ion of the land and the seal What voice can
be heard above the shout of glory-who can
place himself in the advance, and, confronting
the forward movement OF heroes fred with the
spirit of the red cross knights of old, command
them, Halt" Who can resist the charm of
crusade, when glory leads the waya The ques-
ton is not, how shall we conquer Mexico, and
| annex 1t TO this Union; but the issue Is here.
"shall we do it 2"
The following extract of letter from Gen
Qultman gives most valuable information upon
this subject. Gen. Quifman, it is needless to
say, is entirely independent of any professional
considerations IN the premises, and above them.
aenee He OF has ana In
| sterling soldier, and entering first among the
conquerors of the enemy's capital, he was ut
once selected tor the administration of its civil
affairs Having been an active participant in
the magnificent operations Of both the main
| wings OF the American forces and being man
of observation, his opinions are entitled to great
sisslppi, whose name has been for years
| familiar among the names of our public men, on
our request has given us the discretion of this
fam liar letter. so far it relates to the great
problem of, " What shall be done with Mexico %
| The views OF Gen Quitman are, in many points,
clear, bold, original, and convincing; but we
have said enough The letter is dated
| MrIrco, ootobsr IL, is47.
wish now instead Of spstle written ia tbs rsosp
ton room Of the successors Of Cors. could only have
asotions upon the future. viii no. repeat what no
doubt ere this you have been wsarsd Of reading How
this gallant army Of 1000 into this valley
broke through line Of almost impregnsbs batteries
In four battles defeated enemy Of $4,000 took
than 100 guns and four thousand prisonsr and cree
ted the glorious and strpes this palace where
since the conquest Of Cortss stranger banner had
S s bs Of
obstinate defence and 1t was my good fortune that
der my orders our nsg was rst raised on this
feited In these days Of heroics.
Ihaye opportunity to write you line. My thoughts
are full Of subject, and proceed to II in sdiss
The Mexican army Is di:bs.d.d. The whole country.
except where We govern IT. Z 10 confusion There .p
government II We desire peso. there il no power nor
Win there w be any n.y.. ~s.. power With .hsh 70 make
s.S y: 'p 20 Th.o the Tex; question
Va MALL IN hls uoll~-
isss T.
One is, to increase force to hfty thousand
capita. and ': :sy' :yy
The second IL, to withdraw our armies nom tie
Tbs third to occupy the line or certain points in Il
and also to hold not only the line and tho ports but
Gulf last to me 70 Ss tho 11. wa tas
the country The nrst has the objection Of being too
expensive without the prospect Of any good r.:us Il
always does. The second would be equally expensive
and would protraet the war indsnnltsly Tks lat
appears the only practicable alternative and 10 forced
upon US we abandon this capital In thirty days after
the army OF officers and once holders tempIsss) now
driven from the hive will return and re-sstsblish
trail military government whose bond Of union would be
by our presence the frontier They would
keep alive this distant the frontier from choice
force into the necessity Of keeping up strong grr.ons
from the mouth Of the Rio Grands to the Pacific !;
upon any part Of the line before it could be rein.
forced They would move on a semi diameter, while
the other hand, the 10000 disbsnded oioers the mill
ary aristocraoy Of the country should be able
establish government the country would be left In
state OF absolute anarchy upon our withdrawal, and
would soon be wasted plundered and depopulated It
would become derslic and would be seized . waf BY
| some European power. Think you such prize thh
splendid country IT, would be long without some claim
ant England would be ready to throw In an army
France to establish a monarchy. DO not sxssssrsts
when say that 1t would become dereiot THAT s ut
millions of inhabitants are beasts Of burden with
as little OF intellect as the whose burdens thsy
peros, with no social tie no wives, no ehiiSr-p no
homes santa Anna was the only man who could even
for time keep together the rotten elements Of hi.
rupt government Here In this capital are In the
possession Of all the machinery Of that miserable CON
trysnc which was called the government out Of this
In this country believes 1t Then It follows that FIVE
abandon this capital either the onois jackas return
and set up the old csrcase Of the State reduced
anarchy the country will be seized upon by some To-
reign power.
On the other hand with 10 900 men, We can hod thu
capital and Vera Cruz, and keep open safe oomnun-
cation between the two ponts Possessing the heart
there could be no sufficient force concentrated to
to occupy The expense would be less TO hold
this point and the frontier line, than to 90.
cupy the latter, and leave this . ralying point
s.. money and would b .ss.sa.s e with
ports part Of the policy Of the defensive line than
to adopt the latter exclusively But By holding to
Communication between them, large portion o{hs eI
penses OF this mode OF prosecuting the would be
Drawn, ~ very simple means, from the country. The
duties ON imports into Vera Cruz during the month OF
August, with the very restricted internal commerce
which then existed, amounted to 100000. do hes-
tate to say IL will this winter amount TO three times that
per month. IT. then lay but half tho duty on
expectation Of bullion and the precious metals
lifting under the Mexican government, may readily
anticipate from these sources alone, income Of - 000
900 per
Let foreign goods be brought this capital under our
low system Of duties and should obtain mor.
conquest this country which would bring us peace
unless indeed, 1t should produce violent friend
ship for institutions and government that We would
be unable to shake Of anisbs nsighbors ooutu-
gency, assure you, not unlikely to OCCUR. What then
Why, the old hunksrn will say, he hes sung since
tho hrst new State was sdmitted--as he said when
Louisiana and Florida purchased and sttsriy when
IsIas was annexed, that the Union 10 in danger the