The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-07-30

TO the interests OF peace and from General Iaylors
own statement, evident that the fact of the return o.
Santa Anna had produced change in the government
which he beeved to be favorable to the interests oil
peace" and this belief he acted am not surprised
that General Taylor was deceived; but | surprised
that the friends of who boastingly say, "Oh, he
shrnks from responsibility should endeavor TO deny
the fact, when he admits il himself and to vndicate his
course Tor never furnished TILL the enemy was
gone, and he had discovered the straagem
must be observed that General Taylor in making his
return OF this transaction, does not raise any military
ihat sit impossible 70 invest Monterey so closely as
prevent he escape of the garrison" '.the considera
ton OF humanity was ever present IN bus mind that his
force bad not more than ten days Iatioas" These may
have been his actual reasons; but it was misfortune,
and great omission, not 10 have given them at first 10
the department and to the government Those reasons
whose profession is arms. But when he decides every
military question by having it understood that the city
in his hands, and that SCUM and wholesome policy
dictated The enent terms to the garrison and the AIMS
tce he must have known he was entering field where
every politician felt himself his equal in the same light
as every juror feels himself equal 20 Judge ~ finding
the facts of case after the law oil the has been
nounded and decided.
| AT the time discussion to which General TAYLOR
ailudes, as giving an unmisakable complexion to his
politics. 1t was known that the reasons furnished by Gen
taylor were not satisfactory to tho President and that
discontlnuance OF the armsce had been ordered. 1t
then soon became apparent that the popularity of this
military cheltan was to be brought into the canvass for
the purpose OF eectng political objects The most ruth
less and violent assaults were made upon the administra
ton. General Taylor was supposed to be UNNECESSARILY
strong With the people and hat chord was to be played
honor upon General Taylor, till his brow was reghted
with military laurels, charged with design dis
grace and destroy him before the people. The attacks
upon the administration, though groundess were kept
up with brlskness and spirit
On the 30lh of January, 1s47, after two-,hirds of the
short session had passed away, and after many members
had expressed their disapproval of the anstce the Gel
ebrated joint resolutions of thanks to General Taylor
were brought forward. The rules of the House were
suspended, myself voting in the aihrmatve.) and the
battle OF Monterey was denominated ga most brilliant
victory" That expression met my concurrence. And II
reflected impershable honor upon :" in that
concqrred But these facts made the more apparent to
arrived that the sratagem OF Ampuda had robbed our
army OF the fruits, the legitimate FRUITS of hard fought
battle and dearly bought victory
But while was willing to applaud the fighting at
Monterey, l was not willing to give vote which ex
cluded me from the opinion had previously expressed
as to the terms of the capulaton. 1t here had the
honor to propose the prOvso which has drawn down up
on me much unnecessary and unjust remark Propded,
That nothing herein contained shall be construed into
an appreciation Of the terms Of the captulaton" Il was
accepted by Mr. FARAN of Ohio part of his amend
ment which declared the in which we were engaged
TO be just and necessary The previous question
was Immediately moved and sustained MI Leake, then
member from Virginia. and requested me TO insert
after "approbaon," the words /" or Misrepresentation"
Immediately arose and asked permission to do so not
because, as said, deemed it necessary, for that
the meaning of the provso it stood but to prevent
any misconsructon of the purpose it intended to
withhold any expression Of opinion on the subject of that
negotiation The amendment could only be made by uni
versal consent, and that refused by the opposition.
The vote taken, and the resolutions, amended,
adopted In the excitement OF the moment motion was
made to strike out or The title thanks ana insert cen
sure" The ayes and noes called, and but man
had the to vote in the affirmative The mover OF
the amendment himself lodged the vote. and could not
be brought TO enter OF record vote so much against good
conscience.
Such is concise history of this celebrated poyiso, out
of which so great humbug has been attempted; and
now declare that under the same circumstances with the
same state of facts, would again pursue the same
because he acEnowleiged, 81 clear mpcalion in his
port that he had been humbugged by General Ampudia
The facts did not exist upon which he based his action
He made the armisce because col the fact OF recent
change in the Mexican government believed to be favor
able 10 the interests Of peace Bat when ne ascelaansa
adverse to peace, every candid man would think he
would have been against the armi stice.
after these G' resolutions pa ooan
as to the terms Of the captuaton had the honor to o.
fer resolution calling for all the correspondence be-
tween the department and General laylerI which was
adopted In this correspondence found the letter OF the
Secretary OF War; in which he gives his reasons Tor
lsapprova of the amistice, fully ably, and to my
mind, so satisfactorily, that will read it.
| "WAR DEPARTMENT,
"Washington, October 49, 1916.
'SR: Your communications of the 3d. 23l, and 18th nj
timq detailing the operations OF the army under your ln
mediate nand at Monterey, have been received The
Skill courage, and gallant conduct displayed on that occa
by troops under your command, both regulars and
volunteers have added glory to our arms, and merit ron
the government and people OF the United States the warm
est expressions of gratitude and praise.
/''In relation the Of the capitulaon OF Monterey
the President nstructs that he regrets was no
deemed advisable insist upon the terms which you had
first proposed The circumstances which dictated, doubt
less justified the change. The President un,normed
these circumstances does not know in what degree the re-
change in the government OF Mexico may have con
buted this result Certain however, that the pres
rulers of that republic have given evidence
that they favorable 10 the interests OF peace vi th
you will have already been informed by despatch OF the
22t utimo 49,
"The government did contemplate you will per
ceve by the of the dispatches from this department
that would probably happen any contingency, IN TIT
prosecution of the war; in which it would be expedient
suspend hosies before the offer OF acceptable terms
peace. 49, 80.
o." In my despatch of the 22d ultimo, which had no
reached Won wien the viii
G .neal Anpudia the 18th umo there are considers
tons and facts stated which render the Continuance OF t
ar,nistice extremely embarrassing AS the offer recently
made United States negotiations Tor peace
was :eded by the present rulers OF Mexico but
served to submitted and acted on by Congress 10 be-
assembled the 9Th OF December next, 1t was deemed 10y
The government here highly important that the war IN th
mean time should prosecuted with the utmost vgor
the end that they might be made sensible of the evils OF III
contnuance and thereby become moro inclned TO bring
to speedy CLOSE. In pursuance OF this policy an expedi
ton was proposed, my despatch OF the I'D uitmo 10
the purpose taking possession OF The entire deparmen
of Tamauipas and under the belief that IL would no
interfere with your plans and operations, doubt was
tertained would receive your concurrence and
port In anticipation thereof measures have been already
taken to airy it the earliest practicable period
BY the arrangement you have made for emporar
of hostlties within certain limits Of the enemy
country, if continued to the end Of The time stipulated
con side part of Tamaulipas will be exempted iron
ml,tarv until within few days OF the xet
for the the Mexican Congress, ana the expedition
thereby Delayed if prosecuted by the land or pava
forces might bring into question the good iah oil The uni
In the despatch before referred to- you will perceiv