The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-18
[COyFIDENTIAL.1
WAR DEPARTMENT Washington, July

WAR DEPARTMENT Washington, July o. 1916
SIR; The proclamation which you were directed TO
spread among the Mexican people will have put you in
possession OF the views of the government in relation
the mode OF carrying on the war; and also in relation to
the manner of treating the inhabitants. The is only
carried to obtain justice; and the sooner that be
obtained and with the least expenditure OF blood and
money! the better. One of the evils of is the inter-
rupton OF diplomatic communications between the
spectve authorities, and the consequent ignorance under
which each party may lie in relation to the views of the
other The natural substitute of these interrupted dipo
matte communications is the military intercourse which
the usages of allow between contendng armies in
the heidi and IN which commanding generals can do much
towards eopening negotiations, andsmoothng the way TO
return OF peace
The President has SEEM with much satisfaction the
ciyy and kindness with which you have treated your
prisoners, and all the inhabitants with whom you have
in contact He wishes that of conduct con-
tnued, and all opportunities taken to conciate the in
habants, and let them that peace within their
reach the moment their rulers will consent do JUS
ce. The inhabitants should be encouraged to remain in
their and villages, and these sentiments be care
fully made known to them The things may be
SAID to officers made prisoners, who may visit your
headquarters according TO the usages of war and it is the
wish OF the President that such visits be encouraged and
also, that you take to send officers the head
quarters OF the enemy for the military purposes, real
osensibe, which OF ordinary between
MES and IN which, opportunity may be taken to speak
of the itself only carried on to obtain Justice and
that we had much rather procure that by negotiation than
by ghtlng VI course, authority to speak for your gov
eminent will be dlsavowed, but a knowledge of its
wishes will be aveued and readiness win he expressed
to communicate to your government the wishes of the
Mexican government to negotiate for honorable peace,
whenever such shall be their wish, and with the
ance that such overures will be met IN corresponding
spirit by your government. discreet officer, who
derstands Spanish and who be employed in the in
tercourse usual between armies can be your conden
tla agent such occasions, and mask his real,
der his ostensble object OF military interview
You will also readily comprehend, that in a country so
divided into classes, and parties Mexico is and
with so many local divisions among departments and
personal divisions among individuals there must be great
for operating the minds and feelings of large por-
tons of the inhabitants, and inducing them wish sue
cess to invasion which has desire TO njure their
country and which, IN ovehrowng their oppressors may
benefit themselves, Between the Spaniards who mo-
nopoze the wealth and power of the country and the
mixed Indian race who bear its burdens, there must be
jealousy and anInosity The feelings must exist
between the lower and the higher orders of the clergy
the latter OF whom have the dgnites and the revenues
cmates were the chief authors Of the revolution which