Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-02-25
a PRUDENT MOTHERS ADVICE.
Capisgslation OF Monterey


FROM THE WASHINGTON UNION OF FEB 10
VICTORIA, TAMAUpLAs, Mexico,1
January 6, 1917.
Dear Sir: After much speculation and no
little misrepresentation about the captulatlon
of Monterey, perceive by our recent news
papers, that discussion has arisen as to who
is responsible for that transaction. As one OF
the commissioners who were entrusted by
Gen. TAYLOR with the arrangements of the
terms upon which the city of Monterey and IFS
Notifications should be delivered TO our forces,
| have had frequent occasion 10 recur TO he
course then adopted, and the considerations
which led 10 it. My judgment after the fact
has fully sustained my decisions at the date Of
the occurrence; and feeling myself response
bic for the instrument as we prepared and pre-
sented it 10 our commanding General, have
the satisfaction, after all subsequent events, to
believe that the terms we offered were expedi-
ent and honorable, and wise. A distinguish
ed gentleman with whom acted on that com
mission. Gov. HENDERSON, says, IN recent
! " published letter, 81 did not at the time, MOI
do | still like the terms, but acted as one OF
the commissioners, together with Gen. w ORTIZ
and Col. DAVIS, TO carry out Gen. TAYLOR
instructions. We ought and could have made
them surrender at discretion" sc. sc.
From each position taken in the above par
agraph dissent The instructions given by
Gen. TAYLOR only presented his object, and
fixed limit to the powers OF his commission
ers; hence, when points were raised which
exceeded our discretion, they We're referred 10
the commander; but minor points were acted
on, and finally submitted as part of our ne
goGation. We fixed the time within which
the Mexican forces should retire from Mon
( terey. We agreed upon the time we would
wait for the decision of the respective govern
rnents, which recolect was less by thirty -four
days than the Mexican commissioners asked
the period adopted beng that which, accord
/ ing 10 our estimate, was required to bring up
the rear Of Our army with the ordnance and
supplies necessary for further operations.
did not then, nor do | now, believe we
could have made the enemy surrender al dis
creton. Had entertained the opinion il
would have been given TO the commission, and
TO the commanding General, and would have
preluded me from signing an agreement which
permitted the garrison to retire with the hon
ors Of war. Ii IS demonsirable, from the posi-
ton and known prowess OF the two armies
that we could drive the enemy from the town
but the Iown was untcnable whilst the main
fort tcalied the new citadel) renamed in the
hands Of the enemy. Being without siege ar
tll,ery or enlrenchiGg tools, we could only
hope 10 carry this fort by storm, after a heavy
loss from our army which, isolated in hos
tile country, now numbered less than half the
| forces Of the enemy When all this had been
achieved, what more would we have gained
than by the capnulalion
Gen. TAYLoR's force was too small to inves
the town. 1t was, therefore, always in the
: If n h
/ light arms. Our army-poorly provided, and
with very Insufficient ansportation-could
not have overtaken, if they had pursued the
! flving enemy. Hence the conclusion that, as
/ it was notin our power to capture the main
/ body of the Mexican army, II IS unreasonable
to suppose their General would have surren-
dered at discretion. The moral effect of retr-
ing under the capiulation was certainly great.
er shan if the enemy had reTeated without
/ our consent. BY this course we secured the
/ large supply OF ammunition he had collected
IN MontereY-whIch, had the assault been
continued, must have been exploded by our
shells, as il was principally stored in the Ca
thedral," which being supposed to be filled
with troops, was the especial aim OF our pieces.
The destruction which this explosion would
/ have produced must have involved the advance
Of both divisions Of our troops; and | commend
this to the contemplation of those whose argu-
ments have been drawn from facts learned
since the commissioners closed their negotis
/ lions. With these Introductory remarks,
send a copy of manuscript in my possession,
which was prepared to meet such necessity as
now exists for an explanation Of the views
which governed the commissioners in arrang
ing the terms of capitulation TO justify the
commanding General should misrepresentation