Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-03-27

would fall Short in my judgment of 25 900 men, of which
at least TO- 900 should be regular troops.
'ln conclusion, feel it my duty make remarks
which would gladly have been spared the necessity of sub
hitting. feel it due to my position and TO the
cord my protest against the manner in which the Department
has sought To make important detachment from my
mand specifically indicating not only the general officers bu
10 considerable extent the troops that TO compose
While remain in command Of the army against Mexico
therefore justly held responsible by the Government
the country o the conduct of its operations claim the
right of organizing all attachments from it, and regulating the
time and manner OF their service Above all do consider II
important that the Department of War should refrain from
corresponding directly with my subordnates, and
eating orders and instructions points which, by all military
prece and practice, pertain exclusively to the general
chief command Confusion and disaster alone result from
such course The alleged, the loss of time in
communicating with Ge Patterson has application; for
the Secetays despatch from that officer my head
quarters in sixty hours and he could not move, at any rate,
without drawing largely upon this column for artillery and
gular troops.
~ beg may be understood that my remarks have no per-
sona application. 1t is quite probable that in the OF
making such deachment would have placed il under Ma
General Patterson but conceive that this mode of regu
atng Details and ordering detachments direct from the De-
partmen of War; violation of the integrity Of the chief
command in the field, pregnant with the worst evils and
against which deem my duty respectfully but earnestly to
protest. .nu
81 am, sir very respectfully your otcdient servant,
"Z TAYLOR,
"Major General U. s. A. commanding"
On the 26h of October Gen. Taylor replied follows
much of the despatch of the I'D September relates
the mode Of supplying the army
" 1t would have been impossible hitherto and now, to
sustain the army any by forced contributions of
money supplies The country between the Rio Grande
and Sierra Madre poor, furnishing only and beef
These articles obtain at moderate rates bur if different
system had been adopted it is certain that uey would not
have been procured all in sufficient quantities The prompt
payment in cash for the few articles OF supply have drawn
from the country has neuazed much of the unfrendy feel
ing with which regarded and has contributed greatly
to facilitate operations. The people have 1t in their
power time to destroy their crops, and would undoub
eddy do So rather than them taken orcby Add which,
they would have inducements to plant again. The prices
that have been paid reasonable being IN almost all cases
the prices of the country.
Should the army, its future operations reach portion
Of the country which may be made to supply the troops with
advantage, shall not fail to conform To the wishes and in
'rucions of the Department in this particular"
On the 18th of September Gen. Taylor wrote to the De-
'artmen from Monterey announcing the capulatin OF that
,ace, and enclosing all the documents in relation thereto.
These papers have heretofore been published but copy
Material part of Gen. Taylor's letter covering them:
It will be that the granted the Mexican ga
less rigorous than those first imposed. The galhnt
eence of the town. and the fact of change of Gov
in Mexico, believed lie favorable the interests of
eace induced with the commission in these
srms which will trust receive the approval OF the Govern
lent The latter consideration also prompted the convention
temporary cessation of hostles. Though scarcely
ined by Instructions the change of affairs those
,structons issued seemed to warrant this
to be advised, early practicable whether have
lie views of the Government in these particulars
On the 18th of October the Secretary replies Gen. Tay
r, compmenting him and his troops on their victory at
onerey, but regettng that deemed advisable
ss upon the terms which. General Taylor first proposed,
is Government not having contemplated that there would
ippen any contingency in the prosecution Of the
Her of acceptable of peace The Secretary proceeds
" In my despatch Of the 22d umo, which had reached
when you entered into the arrangement with General Am
udia the 18th ulsn there considerations and facts
ated which render the continuance Of the armce extreme
embarrassing As4he offer recently made by the United
aes open negotiations for peace not acceded to by
rulers of Mexico but reserved TO be submitted
nd acted by Congress TO lie assembled the 9th OF De-
ember next, deemed by the Government here highly
Important that the in the time should be
With the utmost vgo to the end that they might be made
sensible of the evils of its continuance and thereby become
more inclined to bring 10 speedy close In pursuance of
his policy expedition proposed in my despatch Of the
I'D umo for the purpose OF taking possession OF the entire
department of Tamaupas and under the belief that would
lot interfere with your plans and operations doubt
entertained that would receive your concurrence and sup
'ou In anticipation thereof have been already
ten to carry it out at the earliest practicable period
By the arrangement you have made for temporary
pension OF hostiles within certain limits of the enemys
country, If continued to the end of the time stipulated con-
OF VIII be exempted from military
operations until within few days OF the time fixed for the
meeting of the Mexican Congress- and the expedition thereby
delayed if prosecuted by the land naval forces might
bring into question the good faith of the United States
In the despatch before referred to- you will perceive that
attack by naval force upon places the
Iamaupas Is also contemplated Whatever may be the adj
vantage the necessity Of the corporation Of land force
must be withheld until the close Of November the
nls'ce is continued to the end of the stipulated period
The Government fully persuadedth that, if you had been
aware OF the special disclosed in the despatch Of the
22d u'tmo, and the intentions of the Government still
aned you would not have acceed the suspension Of
ties for the limited period specified in the articles of
caPiuaon but It's continuance depends upon the orders
of your Government you instructed TO give the requisite
notice that the arnce is to once and that each
party is at liberty and prosecute hostes without
restriction"
This despatch then nstrucs Gen. Taylor to make the ne
cessay arrangements for retaining possession Of Monterey
during the asks his the proprety advance
having possession othe whole Of the State before
the meeting Of the Mexican Congress advises that an attack
Vera Cruz under consideration and in order to forward
this latter purpose desires 10 know whether Gen Taylor can
spare two thousand regular troops from his command
On the same day October 3h) the Secretary wrote to
nrmsce agreed by Gen Taylor and nsuctng the former
officer not to suspend his arrangements for attacking Tam
him at the time that the force to
compose the expedition to be organized from the troops under
the command Of Gen. Taylor and of course the movement
subject to his approval, you will receive order. from him in
To-