The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-12-14

sons aud property; and / recommend that such
territorial governments be established. 1t will
promise peace and tranquility among the in
habitants, by allaying all apprehension that
they may still entertain of being again subjec-
ted to the jurisdiction of Mexico. invite the
early and favorable consideration of Congress
to this important subject
Besides New Mexico and the CALIFORNIA;
there are other Mexican provinces which
have been reduced to our possession by
conquest. These other Mexican provin-
ces are now governed by our military and
naval commanders, under the general au-
thority which is conferred upon a con-
queror by the laws of war They shonld
continue to be held as a means of coercing
Mexico to accede to just terms of peace.
Civil as well as military officers are requi-
red to conduct such a government AIDE
quate compensation to bedrawn from con-
tributions levied on the enemy should be
fixed by law for such officers as may be
thus employed. What further provision may
become necessary, and what final DISPOSE
ton it may be proper to make of them,
must depend on the future progress of the
war, and the course which Mexico may
think proper hereafter to pursue
With the views l entertain, I-cannot
favor the policy which had been sugges-
ted, either to withdraw our army altogeth-
er, or to retire to designated line, and
simply hold and defend it. To withdraw
our army altogether from the conquests
they have made by deeds Of unparalleled
bravery, and at the expense of SO much
blood and treasure, in Just war on our
part, and one which, by The act ofthe en-
envy, we could not honorably have avoid
ed, would be to degrade the nation in its
own estimation and in that of the world
| To retire to a line, and simply hold ard de
| fPndif, would notterminate the war. On the
contrary, II would encourage the Mexicans 10
| persevere and tend TO prOtract il indefinitely.
Ii is not to he expected that the Mexcans, af-
ter refusing 10 establish such a line as per-
manent boundary. when our victorious army
are 10 possession of her capital. and in the
heart of her country, would permit US 10 hold
il without resistance. That she would con-
tinue The war, and in the most harasing and
annoying forms, there eau be no doubt.
border warfare Of the most savage cbarac-
ter. extending over long line, would be un-
ceasingly waged. 1t would require large
army 20 be kept constantly 10 the field, sta
TONED al posts and garrisons along such
line TO protect and defend il. The enemy,
relieved from the pressure Of our arms oil his
coasts and IN The populous parts of the inte-
rioT. would direct his attention to this line,
and. selecting an isolated post for attack.
would concentrate his forces upon il. This
would be condition Of affairs hich the
Mexicans. pursueing their favorite system at
guerilla warfare. would probably prefer 10 a.
ny other. Were il to assume defensive at
ttude on such a line, all the advantages Of
such a state OF war would be on the side of
the enemy. We could levy 10 contributions
upon him, or in any other way make him
feel the pressure of the war. bur must re.
main inactive ond await his approach, be-
ing in constant uncertainty at what point up
Oh The line, or 1t what time, he might make
an assault. He may assemble and organize
an overwhelming force in the interior, on his
own side Of the line, and, concealing his pur-
pose, make sudden assault upon some one
Of our posts SO distant from any other as 10
prevent the possibility of timely succor or
renforcements, and in this way our gallant
army would be exposed TO the danger OF be-
| ing cut of in detail or il, by their unequal
led bravery and proves everywhere exhib
tied during this war, they should repulse the
enemy. their numbers stationed at anv one
post may be too small to pursue him. II the
| enemy be repulsed in one attack, he would
have nothing TO do but to retreat to his own
side of the liuo, and, being in no fear of a
pursuing army, may reinforce himself at lei
sure, for another attack upon the same or
| some other post. He may, too. cross the
line between our posts, make rapid incursions
into the country which we hold, murder the
| Inhabitants, commit depredaiions on them,
! and then retreat to the interior before "A suf-
| icieDt forcs can be concentrated to pursue
him. Such would probably be the harrass-
| ing character Of a mere defensive war npon
our part. IL our forces, when attacked, or
threatened with attack. be permitted TO cross
| the line, drive back the enemy, and conque:
| him, this wonld be again TO invade the cue
my,s country, after having lost all the ad
| vontages OF the conquesIs we have already
made, BY having Voluntarily abandoned then.
| To hold such line successfully and in secs.
rity, it is FAR from being certain that il would
not require as large an army as wonld be noe
essary TO hold all the conquests we have al
ready made, and 10 continue the prosecution
of the war in the heart Of The eneIny's coun-
try. 1t Is also far from being certain thai the
expense of the war would be diminished by
such policy.
| am persuaded that the best means of
viudicating The national honor and interest.
and of bringing the war to an honorable
close, will be TO prosecute it with increased
energy and power to The vital parts Of The
enemy's country.
In my annual Message to Congress of De-
cember last, declared that the war has not
been wased with a view to conquest hut
having been commenced by Mexico, il has
been carried into the enemy's country. and
will be vigorously prosecuted there; with
view to obtain an honorable peace, and there
by obtain ample indemnity for the expenses
Of tte war. as well as to our much-injured
ciiizcns. who hold large pecuuary demands
against Mexico Such, in my judgment,
continues to be our true policy-indeed. the
only nolicv w hch will nrohahlv serure n nor