New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-02-22

The writer OF the following letter is well known
10 the country as an able aud eminent Statesman
Of the party sty ling itself Decentralization.
dor 70 Mexico for several years and Secretary Of
War under Mr.. Van Buren. His knowledge Of the
Mexicans is surpassed By that Of few men in our
country and bis opinions, being unbiased by par
tisanship, are worthy Of universal attention. We
trust they may be thoughtiully considered.
Mr.. POINsETT TO SENATOR BUTLER
WHITE Housr, PEE Der, February H. sss.
Mr. DEAR SIR: la the few hurried lines / ad
dressed 70 you from Statesburg on the subject of
the Mexican war instsnced the opposition made
by the heroic Caucasians 10 the power Of Russia as
sn example OF the difficulties % be encountered in
subduiDg nation however feeble when animated
BY the love Of liberty and Independence Il has since
CURED 20 ne that brief recscitusuln Of the crcum
stances attending the desperate struggle maintained by
Mexico herself against the power and influence Of Spain
Tor twelve yers. and which terminated ia her emancipe
non from most oppressive colonial dependence ~iur
nsh an illustration Of my position .t more applicable
ltappears that tie curaes aud the lawyers Of Mexico
uuited % bring about revolution which rendered
pobsy eos1te ss [ q eost so nep ba ,i
tud many sacrifices succeeded 10 ,erefDg millions Of
made by the Curate hidsgo in s small town Of Dolores
situated The province Of GUIANA the night # the
throughout al New spain and the Capital Of the prov
opened ts gales 70 the Cuate Of Dolores Here tire
The nch end populous city Of GuansIuato put to
death by the Infatuated native inhabitants
The Indian population formed the chief portion Of Hi
dagos forces and 90 Gil occasions evnced the obst
nate And here Il may be we'll 10 remark that the
Mexican Indians are and have been agricultural
race, aud therefore susceptible Of the highest civilization
AFTER this exploit the revolutionary army marched toward
he Capital Within eight leagues Of the city they
encountered and defeated the forces OF the Vi eroy sent
out 10 their prOgress but instead Of following
thef victory they hesiatsd and hao the weakness % re-
serve proposals OF peace from Canegss, VINO sought 10
temp0rze aud IN effect did gaia time % reorgauize his
forces and put them IN position 70 contend advantage
ou-iy with the irregular troops commanded ~ hidas0
AMER the loss Of much precious time, the nsurReuts with
~ array Of one hundred thousand men, commanded by
H1ago and Aencs, retired 70 Acueo where they were
Oveken and attacked By Gen Caea at The head Of ten
thousand spsniards
After sang unsry contest the insurgents defeat
3D. leaving IN the hsuds Of CaeJa their artillery military
chest ard great number OF prisoners This chieitain
ssted his capves rebels ana his crueltes covered all
Mexico with moursng The prisons Of the city were filed
with victims, and many yirtu0us citizens were pot TO
death because they were favorng the revolt
These faIran Of cruelty instead Of subdung the
spirit Ofhe MeXicsns excited their profound resentment
and rendered the cause Of The insurgents national The
small body of who remained with Hida'RO retired
toward Guacaalara, aud were every where received with
open doors and open They met with resistance
any Of the towns or provinces through which they
passed aud they entered the City Of Gusdaaaa and re-
malued there some time unmolested.
When they left that place Hdago was at the head OF
force still more numerous than that which had beer de-
eated al Acueo But his badly armed and the
leaders entirely ignorant Of the art Of and they
again defeated BY ths disciplined troops OF Cala, a.
though not quite one 10 ten with sill greater Slaughter
were XII ed and double that number wounded The lead
us hed towards the northern Provinces there
by Col Sacedo again defeated taken prisoners aud shot
nave terminated ,e ,evsintiop iftbe sspmenfs Of liner
~ had taken deep root in the mi nds Of the people
rational feeling is not TO be sufocaled In blood
LAWYER BIZ the name of Daion assumed the comm aud
and iesssmbed the scattered forces Of Idalgo, and,
united with hs two brothers and other patriotic MsNcans,
maintained the cause Of independence for whole year
against the pested assaults OF The rOyasts Al this pc
rod appeared the two curates Moreos and Matamofos
the former The most distinguished leader OF the Mexican
Nntf. HILL lint alu
several successful sections he defeated and taken
prisoner by body Of commanded by lturDde, VINO
No that period distinguished Tor the courage and scV
ty he displayed against us cOuntrymen. MatamorOs
shot Morelos maintained himseif much longer HIS
oIces were AUGMENTED, and he deeTed II expedient to
call together Congress 70 form regular Government
This was premature, and proved fs'al error. tie was
surrounded BY active enemies requiring him 10 act prompt
y and rapidly, while the Congress OF CHI pupeingo op
posed all his and embarrassed him with orders
measures su me eohsequsnce Nas 49, -
-NertioDs Moreos defeated by the Royasts taken
10 1874 discouraged the Revoutionists there no one
take bis place and the ohisftens who had all acknow
dyed his superiority, scattered each one At The head OF
MS own band Maintaining IN sever parts OF ths country
desultory and keeping alive the spirit oithe people
All sought 10 command, but esseo sufficient 10
auence or the acknowledged talent to succeed More4s
ADD Il actually occurred more than one occasion ths
he rival Generals fought each other after having united
their forces 10 attack and rout the common enemy SUI
they kept the and cOnrived eacn az the head OF
his band. hsrsss the ROyssts and maintain IN H.
dependent attitude The Niceroy CsleJs was cruel no
quarter gveo 20 the insurgents; their lives were Tor
estroyed property
The Revolu nists retaated and the country was aio
waste and oelused in blood t
In 1917 the Nceroy Apodacs succeeded the blood thirsty
Cales, and proing by past experience, he determined
10 Try the effect Of mild measures lie succeeded In Sc
ducing Of the leaders, others that were captured
psrduned and wetrestedi ana by IDS wise course
New Spain trsnquilized Victoria sud Guerrero were
only revolutionary chettsns who refused all the onei
of Apodaca The former concealed hlmsen 10 cave ID
the vicinity Of Vera Cruz but Guerrero Kept The neo ald
never ceased tycombs the spaniards The spark which
this heroic kept alive IN the mountains OF the south
from 1913 was famed into fame In 1922 when al the
CreOes Of Mexico without exception, united to declare
and maintain the independence OF Their country
While this contest going every effort was MADE
by the Government Of Spain 10 preserve this gem OF me
crown. Money and men were Literally supplied tne
higher clergy exered an their Influence over the peo
pe TO secure their allegiance, and tnundered snstoe
,nas and recommendation against the insurgents
The principal Of the country were loaded with "a
sonpfTVnsp Indeed some Of the most active chiefs
nj the Royalist forces were Creoles Against these
lverwhe lining iuhuences aud under every adverse CIR
,n.tsncs he obstinate Mexican patriots maintained
sometimes an active and at others dogset resistance
resulting the eud OF twelve years IN the complete
,snri nation of the ,untry and the establishment Of
Tree Goyernment-for the uterlude Of lturodes usurpa
only proves the superior strength OF republican pm
ciples among the people. remember the DAY when We
.ympah 1ed with these brave and ent them all the
AID neutral position permitted. Why we are IN thr
habit u abusing them now as degraded race 90 NOT IN
derstand The science OF selfgovernment was new 70
Them the republican party Is the most numerous ana
devoted civil liberty They overturned the throne OF
aur example they induced 70 believe mo iree Of
an They overthrow the central despotlsm OF santa Anna
republics took place had just renewed their federal con-
oact sni returning TO weliordered government II
Ell TO themselves they will In few years comprehend
md practice udioious civil poty; but II we continue
10 oppress them with armies, the country VIII become
desert aud there is danger Of their rayng Ionpa
throne 10 preserve their national existence " We con
ut history shall hn ths arches have o~ea tnel
origin generally TO war The existence OF large armies
eads 20 the concentration Of power The necessity OF az
military operations being directed by ooe mind the iac
~ OF 'tainug money and By violence the vast ia
Guence scgured by successful military ehieiian tend
20 the destruction OF freedom . 49,, 49,. ...f.
10 work out their own freedom. Their military com
nanders have their influence from their repeated de-
ats their srnes have been scattered and their arms
lost or desroyed The civil authority would be paramount
and the Republican party triumphant Thee would be
peace INV wcrd H. within short time al ~ our Win
drawa q do occupy ihieky settled portion OF
the Mexican territory.
But 30 we continue prosecute the war with sor IN
the vital parts the country believe hsi the MeNicsns
will display the pertinscity In mantanins thef na
tona existence thst they did IA achieving t. and VIII ue
same result, much perhaps om their own efforts
- from 20 night and honorable feeling 10 rea
fOn 90 this contest
have great reliance upon the sober second thoughts OF
the People Of this country. and feel convinced thar when
they are awakened from their dreams OF military glory
and territorial agsrandzement TO the contemplation Of the
terrible resty-Of the evils they ave csuseessy inhct'
al upon others sud those they suter Themselves BY TINS
improbable war-they will Withdraw their armies 500