Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-12-10


this mild treatment; had failed to produce the
desired effect upon the Mexican population:
While the war had been conducted on our
part according TO the most humane and li6e-
raj principles observed by civilized nations,i
was waged in far different spirit on the part
OF Mexico. Not approaching DIR fofbeatance;
The Mexican people generally became hostile
70 the United States, and ayailed themselves
OIL every opportunity TO commit the most sae<
"se eXcesses upon our troops. Large num-
oe's oil The population took up arms, and, en-
g"s'ng IN guerilla warfare, robbed and muir:
detea In The most cruel manner individual
so'oiers' or small parties, whom accident or
o'hel causes mad separated from the main boz
oy OF our aFi':y bands of suerllcres and robs
beTs infested the roads, ha-rassed pur trains:
and, whenever i was in their power, ca, of
our supplies.
The Mexicans having thus shown Them
selves 10 be wholly incapable Of apprecia,int
our forbearance and liberality, it was deemed
proper to change The manner Of conducting
the war, by making them feel its pressure &C
cordng 10 the usage observed uhdst similat
circumstances by all other civilized nations:
Accordingly, as early as the twenty-second
OF September. 1876, instructions were given
by the Secretary of War to Maj. Gen. Taylor
to "draw supplies" for our army "from the
enemy, without paying for them, and TO re-
quire contributions for its support" II III that
way he was satisfied he could "get abundant
supplies for his forces" In directing the
execution of these instructiots, much was
necessarily left 10 the discretion of the COM
handing officer, who was best acquainted
with the circumstances bS which he was sur
rounded, the wants OF the army, and the prac-
ticabilty of enforcing the tneasute.
| no I'd 81
Der, 1916, replied, ftom Monterey, that cit
would have been impossible hitherto, and ia
so now, to sustain the army to any extent by
forced contributions of money or supples."-
For the reasons ass gned by him, he did not
adopt the policy Of his instructions, but de-
clared his readiness to do so, ''should the ar
my, in its future operations, reach portion
of the country which may be made to supply
the troops with advantage" He continued
to pay for the articles Of supply which were
drawn from the enemy's country.
Similar instructions were issued to Major
General Scott on the third of April, 1S47, who
replied, from Jalapa, on the twentieth of May
1917, that, if it be expected that 'the army
is to support itself by forced contributions lie;
We'd upon the country, we may ruin and en-
asperate the inhabitants, and starve oursel-
yes" The same discretion was given 70 him
Gen Scott, for the reasons assigned by him;
also continued 10 pay for the articles of sup
ply for the army which were drawn from the
enemy.
After the army had reached the heart Of the
most wealthy portion of Mexico, it was sup
posed that the obstacles which had before
that time prevented it would not be such "a to
render impracticable the levy of forced con-
tributions for its support; and on the first of
September, and again on the sixth of October,
1S47, the order was repeated in dispatches
addressed by the Secretary of War 10 General
Scott, and his attention was again called to
the importance of making the enemy bear the
burdens of the war by requiring them to fur,
nlsh the means Of supporting our army; and
: he was directed TO adopt this policy, unless,
by doing so, there was danger of depriving
the army of the necessary supplies. Copies
of these dispatches were forwarded 10 Gener-
al Taylor for his government
On the thirty first Of March last, caused
an order to be issued - our military and ma
val commanders to levy and collect military
contribution upon all vessels and merchandise
which might enter any of the ports of Mexi-
CO In our military occupation, and TO apply
such contributions towards deiraying the ex-
Pens Of the war. BY virtue Of the rights
Of conquest and the laws of war, the conquer:
er, consulting his own safety or convenience;
may either exclude foreign commerce altogeth-
er from all such points, or permit it upon such
terms and conditions as he may prescribe. Be-
fore the principal ports Of Mexico were block
AIDED by our navy, the revenue derived from
impost duties, under the laws Of Mexico, was
paid into the Mexican treasury. After these
ports had fallen into Our military possession,
the blockade was raised, and commerce with
LII 4
conditions. They were openbd to the trade
. Of all nations upon the payment Of duties
more moderate in their amount than those
which had been previously levied by Mexico;
and the revenue, which was formerly paid in
to the Mexican treasury, was directed TO be
collected by our military and naval officers;
and applied to the use Of our army and navy:
Care was taken that the officers, soldiers. and
sailors of our army and navy should be ex-
exempted from the OPERATIONS OF the order;
and as the merchandise imported upon which
the order operated must be consumed by Meg
lean citizens, the contributions exacted were;
in effect, the seizure Of the public revenues
OF Mexico, and the application of them to OUT
own use. In directing this measure, the OBJ
ject was 10 compel the enemy to contribute;
as far as practicable. towards the expenses bf
the war.
For the amount OF contributions which have
been levied in this form, I refer you to the &C
companying reports of the Secretary OF War
, and OF the Secretary Of the Navy, by which it
appears that sum exceeding half dmillion OF
t dollars has been collected.
This amount would undoubtedly have been
, much larger but for the difficulty OF keeping
open communications between the coast and
the interior, so as TO enable the owners Of the
merchandise imported, 10 transport and vend
it to the inhabitants Of the country 1t is con
filenly expected that this difficulty will; to q
e great extent, be soon removed, by our increas-
1 ed forces which have been sent to the field,
: Measures have recently beer adopted by
which the internal as we'll as external reve
nues OF Mexico, in all places in DUR military
occupation, will be seized and appropriated 10
the use OF our army and navy,
The policy of levying upon the enemy con-
? tributlons in every form, consistently with the
E laws of nations, which it may be practicable
for our military commanders 10 adopt; should,
, in nv Judgment; be figidly enforced, and or
lders 10 this effect have accordingly been Civ
en-, BIZ such policy, at THE same time that
our our own treasury will be relieved from a
heavy drain, the Mexican people will be made
to feel the burdens of the war, and, consulting
D their own interests, may be induced the more
readily to require their rulers to accede to
J just peace. ...
After the adjournment OF the 'st session of
I Congress- events transpired iii the prosecution