The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-11-13


Single copies sixpence.
Mexico-What Ii to DO Done with It
The news now receiving from Mexico oy
every arrival at New Orleans, represents Una
country as settling down gradually into con-
quest territory, a country almost annexed 70
the United States We have possession OF the
cao;,al and all the principal sea ports. Slowly,
evsrv town surrenders to our army. Gueriia
ar,;so NAV appear here and there; but there can
he M Doubt of the ultimate extinction OF all OF
,be,, and the reduction OF the whole country
,on..ce and Quiet under American rule. The
two great classes of the Mexican population
the wealthy, who live in the towns, and the
aborigines, who live in the country--seem to
unite in quiet submission to their destiny. The
military is decreasing and the clergy of the pre-
sent age will soon accommodate themselves to
the circumstances of the case.
Yet there seems to be no government with
which to make treaty, and no permanence, even
if a treaty were made. What, then, is to be
done with Mexico According to all appear
ances. the present position Of things may remain
for years to come as they are nova limited
annexation, condition in which peace is al
WAYS talked of but nothing doce; annexation
always threatened, but no positive union
taking place In Short Mexico is conquered,
and seems willing to remain in her present
condition. Our Government cannot withdraw
the army in the present condition OF affairs.
We must occupy the positions we hold, because
there is none with whom we can make treaty
Many suppose that the President will recommend
some distinct line Of action; but whatever he
recommends, the extreme coseness ofparties at
Washington, in the approaching Presidential
election. will prevent any distinct action from
being taker, as regards line of defence, treaty
with the government, or the complete absorption
of Mexico The campaign ending In such re-
markable results. has been matter OF surprise
from beginning to end. Neither the President
nor his Cabinet, nor General Scott, nor General
TAYLOR, nor General Worth, or any one else con-
nected with the government or the army, appears
10 have comprehended what they were about at
the commencement of hostilities, except one man,
and he was General Gaines. Had his advice
been taken at the breaking out OF hostilities, it
is probable the whole question would have been
settled in three months; but by attacking M-xi-
can armies in detail, the hopes of the Mexican
chieftains were excited, and the American army
had to proceed step by step, fight battle after
battle, move forward campaign by campaign,
in possession of almost the whole country. The
little boy, at the setting of the sun, ran to the
next hill to catch him; but when he reached the
top, he found the bright luminary of the day as
far distant ever.
Such seems to have been the position of our
government in regard to Mexico. 1t is con-
ouered. as far as it can be conquered at this tme
but another battle of Buena Vista has yet to be
l.. IA, ~ of tba Init cd af
polls, to settle what shall be done with it. On this
point all politicians and all parties are beginning
10 enter the field of controversy. Mr.. Van Buren,
and his men have led the way since the State
elections, and Mr.. Clay proposes to deliver his
opinions on the subject to-day at Lexington.
Mr.. Clay's opinion will have great influence in
the settlement of the question, because it may
have an influence on a great party. But 1t is
possible that Mr.. Clay's views may have the
same effect on his own destiny, as his numerous
letters and speeches had, four years ago on hi
fate at that time.
The Posr OPPIcK DEPARTMENT elaborate
efforts seem to be making to set up Cave John
son for great man, the very paragon OF Post
masters General Some of his friends claim the
merit FOR him of having reduced the annual de-
fciency of the department to forty thousand dol
lars only, during the last year. Wonderful finan
cier! Only ZOO minus his receipts!
Ifa cheap postage system has increased the re-
venue of the department, appears to be repre-
scented, it is in spite of the policy of the Post
master General, or any of his employees The
best commentary on his conduct is a statement
of the simple fact, that during the last year hun
dreds and hundreds of failures have taken place,
and that he has been eternally squabbling with
the contractors, and pairing down their allow.
ances. In fact, If the department Is in any de.
gree prosperous, it is in spite of This efforts and
blunders tending TO the contrary.
This department ought to be revolutionised
completely, and we trust that Congress will take
it up. The whole Geographic system of the
country ought to be combined with the Post
Office Department, and made branch of the
same; and but for the folly and ignorance OF
Cave Johnson, who had the offer made to hin,
some years ago, the whole country would at this
day be covered with telegraphs, and the revenue
accrulng from this new system would have beer
beyond ANYTHING ever known in the history o
the department. During the last two years ter
millions might have been saved In the war ex
penditures alone
WHAT 10 po-What will Mr. Polk say t
Congress Will he recommend the line OF tn
Rio Grandel or will he advise the Withdrawing
of our armies from the whole country, including
California Will he keep temporary possession
of the whole of Mexico, until he finds govern
ment by advertising in the newspapers there, OF
sending out hunting expeditions to catch one
These questions no doubt will puzzle Mr.
Polk as much as they do the politicians or edi
tors of the day. If we were to give advice
it would be to follow the line of policy which he
pursued upon the Oregon question--to claim the
whole of Mexico-anncx the whole in his mes.
sage-and then agree to what Congress tells him
TO do.
INTERESTING NAVAL ISTELLIGENcE,-A CURIOUS