The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1847-12-16

The army whlch were uiu"n lloih wv -" =
envy. q,
Alter the army had reached the heart =,
Of the most wealthy portion OF Mexico II HI
was supposed that the obstacles which had q
before that time prevented II would not be IL
such as to render impruclicable the levy =
1t forced contributions for IT'S support
and on the Isl OF September, aud again on
the 9th Of October, lsl7, the order was a
repca,ed IN dispatches addressed by The a
Secretary OF War To General Scott, aud
his attention was again called 10 the IN
porlauce OF making the enemy bear the
burdens OF The war by requiring them |" 7
furnish the means Of supporting our army;
and he vas directed TO adopt Tins policy,
unless by doug SO, there was danger Of
dsprlving the army OF the necessary sup
Plies. Copies Of these Dispatches we're ,
forwarded 10 General Taylor for his gov
eminent.
Ca the 3ls Of March last, ! caused an
order 10 be issued to our military aud ma
val commanders TO levy and collec, a NIL.
ltsry contribution upon all vessels and
merchandise which might enter any OF the
ports OF Mexico N our military occupa
uon, and to apply such Contributions y.
wards defraying The expenses OF the war.
By virtue Of the rlght Of conquest aud ihe
laws Of var, the conqueior, consulting
his own safely or convenience, m0y elller
! exclude foreign commerce altogether lIom
all such potts, or permit Il upon such
terms and conditions as he may prescribe.
Before the principal ports OF Mexico we're
J bockadcd by our navy, the revenue den'
we'd from lmpUst duties, under the laws Of
Mexico, was paid INTO the Meucan treas.
!, urv. Alter these ports had fallen In,o our
military possession, the blockade was rat.
!. sed aud commerce with them permitted
!. upon prescribed terms and conditions.
They we're opened 10 The trade 81 all VA.
:, lions upon the payment Of duties more
moderate 10 their amount han those which
4, had been previously levied by Mexico
and the revenue, wmch vas formerly paiC
" INTO the Mexican treasury, WIS directed
=, 10 be collected by our military aud nava
:. oficers, aud applied to the use Of our ar
:, my and navy Care was taken thai th'
officers, soldiers, and sailors o. our arm,
aud navy should be exempted from the op
= eratioRs OF he order; and as the mer
chandse imported upon Which the orde
operated must be consumed by NeXCa
" citizens. the contributions exacled were. !
effect, the SEIZURE Of tho public revenue
"a of Mexico, and the application of them I
our own use. In directing tbs measure
=, the obJec, vas 10 compel the enemy 10 COT
80 tribute, as far as practicable, towards ii
expenses Of the war.
For ire amount or contributions whlc
have been levied 10 tins form refer yo
= to the accompanying reports Of the Seer
tary of War and 81 tho Secretary of u
=. Navy, BY which il appears that a sum G
-, ceedlng halt a million Of dollars has bcl
collected.
u This amour, would undoubtedly ha
been much larger, bu, for the difficulty
~ keeping open communications between Il
'"H cnas, and the interior, So as to enable Il
~ owner, Of the merchandise imported,
% transport and ycud j, 70 the inhabitants
'es Tie country. II - confidently especit
Ems tia, thls difficulty vii, to great eS,en
a he soon removed bv our increased fore,
n'e Which have been sent % the Geld.
hA' Measures have recently teen ndopt,
en' by which the in'cnaI as vel as extern
up revenues of Mcxca 10 oil places IN ov
var military occupation, wi. be seized and
ng propralsd 10 the use Of our army and n
les w
,ed The policy Of lcyying upon The cucu
* contributions IN every form consistent
&c, with VIC laws of nations, which il NAV I
os' practicable fur our military commander
'eS 10 adept, should 10 my Judgment, be n.
os' IDLY enforced and order, to hrs Elf,
&c have accordingly been ven. By such
Us, policy, at the same ttmc that our own trct
'cd sury will be relieved from heavy dfau
M Tho Meyican people will be made to f.,
'm the burdens Of the war, and, cansuIua
ed their own interests, may be induced tn
.d' more readily to require their rulers 10 &C
he ccde 70 Just peace.
er Afer The adjournment II the Inst So,
s. sion of Congress events trausplrcd ~ th
n. prosecution Of the war which, 10 my ludg
"a. meut, required q greater number ri troop
as in The field than bad been anticipated
Of The strength OF the army was according
c ly increased by accepting services @
y. all tho volunteer forces authorized BY IA,
b. act Of the 18Th Of May l-tG, without Pot
ting construction on That act, the correct
p. ness of which was seriously questioned
y The volunteer forces now IN the field, wilf
y. those which had been accepted" to
m " serve Cor ? months" and we're dlschar
ID ged st the end Of ibcir term Of service,
II exhaust The $4,000, men authorized b,
IT hat act Had i, been clear that proper
1. construction Of the act warranted H. the
$, services Of an additional number would
n have been called for and accepted but
Il doubts existing upon this point, the power
h was not exercised.
!, 1t is deemed important that Congress
g should, at an early period of their session,
confer tho authority to raise an additional
, regular force 70 serve during the war with
t Mexico, and 10 DO discharged upon the
! conclusion and ratification of trratv ~