Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-03-27
Wan DEPARTMENT,


joined despatch, which was intercepted by the
enemy:
"WaR DEPARTMENT.,
"WAsmSsToN, SEPTEMBER 2, 1916.
"SIR 1t is intended make descent the Gulf
of Mexico as soon shall have far advanced
10 render it safe in regard to the health of eur troops.
Sour attention is turned 10 Tampco OF the places
for the attack Il may be important to take that place. and
hold OF it and the surrounding country, with refer
line of operations. Though Information Il
no, full and accurate desire in relation The interior
Of the country the vicinity of Tampco, yet such
duces believe that this will be important position
be occupied facilitate the future prosecution of the
The possession OF the northern provinces Of Mexico far
south San Luis de Poos undoubtedly important OBJ
ect with reference to bringing the successful tem
nation The difficulties you Will encounter in pushing
forces thus far be much better appreciated by yourself than
other San Luis de Potosi is stated be from hun
dred and fifty hundred and eighty miles from Tampco
and if there be good road between these pacesas
allese be the CASE while questioned by oihe- will be
highly adv antageous have possession OF Tampco and
penetrate the country from that point the direction OF San
Luis de Poos with considerable force. This is
der consideration and will receive the attention deserves
1t important in respect to the plan OF operations to be adopt
ed for this point, that you should furnish the
Government here at the earliest period with your opinion Of
the progress you will be able to make present line of
operations. When you shall have arrived Monterey you
will be enabled to determine to the praccabity of your
further progress. important that should know whe
he you reach San Luis de Poos and your opinion
this point is particularly desired The Administration is,
ter of the difficulties of sustaining long line of
nicaon and OF the uncertainty to the force which will
pose but your better information these several points
vii! enable you 10 form much more accurate opinions.
our views also the effect of taking possession
Tampco, of penetrating the eneys country from that point
OF the amount AMI kind of force to be assigned TO that service
desired
cit intended weaken the force Of your advancing
column by any the II supposed that
fifteen hundred two thousand will be sufficient
Der OF troops take and hold possession of Tampico
Ealfn If h;.,N -, a..
is presumed, be obtained without Withdrawing any that
description of force with you.
TAe of the required for this pu
pose be taken from the Rio Grande is presumed with
out too much weakening that line. 4.
AS you situation to obtain full and accurate
information In relation to all the matters touched in this
communication, desirabendeed quite important-that
the Administration should have your upon them II is
unnecessary to you that they will have important
influence upon its determinations.
'I am, with great respect, your obedient servant
"W. L. MARCY, Secretary Of War"
The despatch is dated the 22d September and is
also from the Secretary of War 1t informs General Taylor
that the Mexican authorities had declined the proposal of this
Government negotiate, and referred the question their
Congress, which would assemble in December This deter
minaon Of Mexico the Secretary says, has important
bearing on our military movements and suggests the popey
OF change OF policy regard dealings with the people
OF the country occupied by troops " and he then
General Taylor follows
"Upon the liberal principles of civilized warfare either of
three modes may be pursued in relation obtaining supplies
from the enemy hrs TO purchase them such
inhabitants OF the country choose second
pay fair price without regard the enhanced value resulting
from the presence OF foreign army and third require
them as contributions without paying engaging to pay
therefor. -.' -,
"Theias mode the ordinary one you are instructed
70 adopt IT. IN that you satisfied YOU get album
dant supplies for your forces but should yoA apprehend
difficulty this respect then you will adopt She policy of
paying the ordinary price, without allowing @ owners the
advantages OF the enhancement of the price resulting the
increased demand Should you apprehend deficiency under
this last mode of dealing with the inhabitants you will he
obliged submit TO their exacons provided by his mode
you supply your wants better terms than by drawing
what you may need from the United States"
The Secretary then to the contemplated
on Tampico, as follows:
I is proposed to take possession of the Department of
Tamaupas, of the principal places it. at the earliest
practicable period In this enterprise believed that
operation Of Our squadron the Gulf will be important if
necessary Ii presumed that force Of about three four
thousand will be sufficient for this
which should be Of the regular army.
1--WE have not now sufficiently accurate knowledge Of the
country determne dentvey the of conducting
this enterprise The dangerous navigation of the Gulf this
of the year induces the hope may be adj
vanced by land from the present base of operaons-he Rio
Grande and that II have occasional communication
with ships in the Gulf Should this land route be aupe
impraccabe dsbarkaton be preferred c0 paints NJ and-
ing have been suggested the Bay of anander and the
other at Tanpco Ii force be landed the Bay of Santan.
der, or IN the vicinity OF Soto la Marina could probably
reach, without much difficulty, Of the principal places
the Department OF Tamaupa aud march and take posses
sion oil Tampco While the yet OPEN to be settled
better knowledge of the country may indicate II pro-
per TO speak in detail Of the force employed on this
service.
is proposed withdraw any Of that now with you
IN your advance into the INTERIOR divert Of the
Inducements that you may carry on your operations
that quarter II is believed that sufficient force Of the re-
gula army for this expedition about regmen may be
drawn from the seaboard including such companies as may
have been left the lower Rio Grande and can be spared
for that purpose II column should advance beyond that
river into the interior Of Tsmaupos part of the troops now
on that line might II presumed be safely withdrawn
men the invading column II not however, intended to
weaken the force that line any further than can in your
opinion, be safely done.
" II Is also proposed to put the force for the invasion of
Iamauhpas under the immediate command of Major General
Patterson, TO be accompanied by Bngadier Generals Pillow
and Shields unless should interfere your previous
rangemen with regard 10 these officers To prevent DELAY
General Patterson will he directed make preparations for
this movement far be done without distu binu
your present the Rio randr proceed
Immediately and without further orders from the
unless you should be Of opinion that the withdrawal Of the
force proposed for this expedition would interfere with your
operations. This direction given 10 General Patterson
the time necessary to receive information YOU and
return answer from the Department may be propou.
moment Tor operating With effect The movement OF ght Il
he made with the least possible delay consistently with tn,
health Of The troops will lie left General Patterson un
der your Instructions. TO decide whether the shi
be by land or by opary by EACH desired that yot
in tha ode