The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-07

incapable of approaching our forbearance and beraty
was deemed proper to change the Of conducting the
war, oy naang them feel Its pressure according the
usages observ ed under similar circumstances by all
civilized nations.
Accordingly as early the tweny-second of September
1916, instructions given by the Secretary OF War
Maj Gen. Taylor to draw supplies" for army from
the enemy without paying for them and require
buttons for Its support # IN that way he was satisfied he
could get abundant supplies for his forces" In directing
the execution of these Instructions much necessarily
left to the discretion Of the commanding officer was
best acquainted with the circumstances by which he was
surrounded the wants of the army, and the practcaby
enforcing the measure.
Gen Taylor on the tweny-sxth ofOetober 1886 replied
from Monterey that SIT would have been impossible hther
to- and now the army any by forced
contributions of money supplies" For the
signed by him. he did adopt the policy of his nstrue-
tons, but declared his readiness do 'shoud the
my IN It's future operations reach portion of the couoy
which may be made TO supply the troops with advantage"
He continued pay for the articles of supply which
drawn from the enemy's country.
Similar instructions issued Major General Scott
the third of April lS17 who replied, from Jaapa the
twenteth ofNay 947 that if be expected that he army
to support itself by forced contributions levied upon the
country we may ruin and exasperae the inhabitants and
starve ourseyes" The discretion was gveh to him
that had been to Gen. Taylor in this respect, Gen. Scott
for the assigned by him. also continued to pay for
the articles of supply for the army which drawn from
the enemy.
After the army had reached the heart of the most wealthy
portion OF Mexico supposed that the obstacles which
had before that time prevented il would be such to
render mpacticabe the levy Of forced contributions for
support and The st of September, and again the
sixth OF October lS4 the order repeated dispatches
addressed by the Secretary of War General Scott and his
attention again called the importance of making the
enemy bear the burdens Of the by requiring them TO
furnish the of supporting army and he d.
rected to adopt this policy, unless, by doing there was
danger Of deprvng the army of the necessary supplies
Copies of these dispatches were forwarded to General Tay
lor for his government
On the hirtyirst of March last caused an order to be
issued to our military and naval commanders levy and
collect military contribution upon all vessels and NOR
of hn n law
leo in military occupation, ana TO apply such
contributions towards de.raying the expenses of the
BY virtue Of the right of conquest and the laws of
war; the conqueror consulting his safety conee.
nience may either exclude foreign altogether
from all such ports or permit upon such terms and con-
he b. Br9s ne Ds
from impost duties under the laws of Mexico, paid
into the Mexican treasury Aiter these ports had fallen
military possesson the blockade raised, and
with them permitted upon prescribed and
conditions They opened to the trade OF all nations
upon the payment of duties moderate in their amount
than those which had been previously levied by Mexico;
and the revenue which formerly paid into the Mcxi
treasury directed to be collected by military
and naval officers and applied the of army and
navy. Care taken that the officers, soldiers and sail
of army and navy should be exempted from the
operations of the orders and as the merchandise imported
upon which the order operated must e consumed by Mex
citizens, the contributions exaced were IN effect the
seizure of the public of Mexico and the appc
ton Of them our In directing this measure the
object to compel the enemy to contribute, as far
practicable, towards the expenses of the war.
For tho amount of contributions which have been levied
this FORM refer you the accompanying reports of the
Secretary of War and of the Secretary of the Navy by
which appears that exceeding half million Of dol
lars has been collected.
This would undoubtedly have been much larger
but for difficulty of keeping open communications be-
the and the interior, TO enable the
of the merchandise imported to transport and vend to the
inhabitants of the country II is confidently expected that
this difficulty WILL to great extent, be removed by
our increased forces which have been the field.
Measures have recently been adopted by which the in
ernal well external of Mexico, in all places
in bur military occupation, will be seized and appropriated
TO the use of our army and navy.
The policy Of levyng upon the enemy contributions in
every form, consistently with the laws of nations, which
may bc practicable for military commanders to adopt
should, my Judgment be rigdly enforced and orders
this effect have accordingly been given. BY such policy
at the same time that our own treasury wall be relieved
from heavy drain, the Mexican people will be made
feel the burdens of the war; and, consulting their
terests may be induced the readily require their
| rulers to accede to Just peace.
After the adjournment Of the last session Of Congress-
events TRANSFERRED in the prosecution of the which, in
my Judgment required greater number OF troops in the
field than had been anticipated The strength of the army
accordingly increased by accepting the services ofa
the volunteer forces authorized by the the thirteenth
May, l840, without putting construction that act the
correctness of which seriously questioned The volun
forces in the field, with those which had been
accepted 'serve for twelve MONTHS" and dis
charged the ond of their term of service exhaust the
fifty thousand men authorized by that Had it been
clear that proper construction of the act warranted it, the
services Of additional number would have been called
and accepted but doubts existing upon this point, the
power not exercised
1t is deemed important that Congress should at an early
period of their session. confer the authority adj
dtona regular force during the with Mexico
and to be discharged upon the conclusion and ratification
of treaty of peace. invite the attention of Congress-
the views presented by the Secretary of War in his report
upon this subject.
recommend ALSO that authority be given by law to call
for and accept the services of additional number of vol
untcers to be exercised at such time and such
the emergencies of the service may require.
The with Mpyis nu.hil fhop p,oc
has been taken to avoid every just of complaint
the part of neutral nations, and has been given
liberal privileges have been granted their the
ports of the orrmy in our military occupation.
| The difficulty with the Brazilian government, which at
time threatened to interrupt the friendly relations be-
tween the countries will, trust, be speedily adj sed
have received information that envoy extraordinary
and minister plenpocnary to the United States will
shortly be appointed by his Imperial Majesty and it is
| hoped that he will instructed and prepared to
adjust all remaining differences between the govern
mens in acceptable md honorable to both. In
the meantime have every reason to believe that nothing
will interrupt amicabc relations with Brazil.
Ii has been my constant effort to maintain and cultivate
the intimate relations of friendship with all the nde-
pendent Powers of South America and this policy has
been attended with the happies results. 1t true that
settlement and payment of many just claims of American
citizens against these nations have been long delayed The
peculiar position in which they have been placed and the
desire the part of my predecessors well myself
grant them the indulgence have hitherto
strict justice The time has arrived when they ought be
finally adjusted and hquldatcd, and efforts making
for that purpose
1t proper inform you that the government of Peru
has in good faith paid the first instruments of the in
dcmnly of thirty thousand dollars each and the greater
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