Democratic banner., 1847-12-20

pointed to proceed to the headquarters Q
orr army, with full powers to enter on nc.
gotiations, and conclude a just and hcnora.
BILE treaty Of peace: He was not dire cited
to make any new overtn-es of peace, brl
was the bearer Of a despatch fror, he Sec
retary of State of the U. S. to tie Minis
ter of Foreign Affairs of Mexico. n reply
to enc received from TIE latter, Of lie ed
of February, 1917, in which TIE Mexican
Government was Informed Of his appoint
ment, and Of lis presence at the headGuar-
tiers Of oar army, and that he was invested
with full powers to conclndc a defnitive
treaty Of peace wkcneverthe Mexican Gov
'ernmcnt might signify a desire to do So
While was unwilling TO subject the United
States 20 another indignant refusal, / was
yet resolved that the evils of the war should
not be protracteG longer than might be rem
.deTed absolutely necessary by the Mexican
Government. Care was taken to give no
instructions to the Commissioner which
could in any way interfere with our militia
ty operations, or relax our energies, in the
prosecution Of the war. He possessed no
authority, in any manner, to control these
operations. He was authorized to exhibit
his instructions to tie General III command
of the army, and, in the event of a treaty
being Concluded and ratified, on the part Of
Mexico, he WAC directed to give him notice
of that fact. On the happening of such
contingency, and on receiving notice there
Of, the General in command was instructed.
by the Secretaryof War, TO suspend active
military operations until further orders
These instructions were given with a view
to interni. 'ostilities until the treaty, thus
ratified by Mexico, could be transmitted to
Washington, ana receive the sanction Of the
United States.
Tie COMMISSIONS was aise directed, on
reaching the army, TO deliver g the Gen
cral in command, the despatch Which he
bore from The Secretary Of State to the
Minister Of Foreign Affairs Of Mexico. aud.
on receiving il, the General was instructed,
b. the Secretary Of War, to cause it to be
transmitted TO the commander of tho Next
can forces, with a request that it might be
communicated to his government.
The Commissioner did not reach the
headquarters Of the army until another bril-
liant victory had crowned our arms al Ger
rp Gordo.
Trc despatch, which he bore from the
Secretary Of Wart 10 the General in com
mand, was received by thatoficer, then at
Jalapa, on the I'll, day of May, 1877, togcth-
er with the despatch of the Secretary Of
State TO the Minister Of Foreigc Affairs in
Mexico, having been transmitted to him
from Vera Cruz. The Commissioner ar
rived at the headquarters Of tic army a few
days afterwards. His presence with the
army and his idiplomatic character, were
made known to the Mexican Government
from Puehla, on the 18th Of June, 1917, by
the transmission Of the despatch from TIE
Secretary of State to the Minister Of For
eign Affairs Of Mexico. Many weeks clars
ed after its receipt, and no orcrtures were
made, nor was any desir. expressed by the
Government of Mexico to enter into neco-
t~iations for peace.
Our army pursued ito march upon the
capital, and, as it approached, it was met
by. a formidable resistance. Our forces
first encountered the enemy, and achieved
signal victories IN the contested battles of
Contreras and Churubusco. 1t We not un-I
til after these actions resulted in decisive
victories, and the capital of the enemy was
in our power, that the Mexican Govern
ment manifested any disposition TO enter in
to any negotiations for peace, and even
then, events have proved, there is too much
reason to believe, they we're insincere, and
that iii agreeing to so through the forms of
negotiation, the object was to give time to
strengthen the defences OF the capital and
prepare for fresh resistance.
. The General in command of the army