Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1848-02-12

uh'i Us CsSObo We OupUt W DIOlll DN.-
The Russia forces overran the Caucasian
country in 1896, and received the submits
sion of the people. They conquered peace.
Well, in 1907, passed through the heart
of the country, which had been garrisoned
with 10000 men for eleven years, at cost
of between sixty and seventy thousand
men, or six or seven thousand men year.
AT that time il was necessary TO wait the
departure of a train from post to post, as il
was unsafe to move with less than two
pieces of artillery and a full company of
infantry. This state of things continued
until 1S40 when the Caucasians organized
a powerful opposition to their conquerors,
and up to the present day have contended
against them with advantage. The Caucas
US does not contain more than million and
half of inhabitants; the Russian empire
not less than sixty millions. The Caucus
ians have no regular army; the empire six
hundred thousand well discip ned troops.
Both the President and the Secretary
build up system of line defence, as it is
called, which they easily overthrow, because
no military man would suggest such an
anomaly. They suppose a frontier can
only be defended by a chain of posts bor-
derng on the line; whereas it is best secured
by strong Interior defences. But did not
intend to intrude my opinion on military
matters. Settle what territory you intend
to claim, and tell Mexico you intend to
keep it. She will buster and protest, but
never attack you. Her leaders will have
too much at stake to venture SO far from
the capitol. She will have no means to
equip armies and maintain them on long
marches and distant campaigns; and hazard
nothing in saying that two or three strong
places in the interior of our line would keep
them in check for half century. and in
less time we might buy a title, if thought
necessary. By adopting this plan, peace
would come at last with present indemnity
and instead of raising $4,000 men, you
would have troops enough to keep peaceahIe
possession of our new territory, and might
dismiss the volunteer force.
To succeed in levyng the military con-
tribu,ions the President speaks of. and pro-
visioning the army by force, the troops
must be very much increased. 1t requires
very large force to procure supplies with
out paying for them. They can only be
gathered by formidable detachments, and
our army never has been and never will be
sufficiently numerous to enable the com
handing General TO separate SO many men
from the main body.
have given my opinion very hurriedly.
for il appears to me there is little time to
lose in settling the course to be pursued
We can at this period withdraw our forces
without dishonor; nay, such an act would
elevate US in the eyes Of the world. The
slightest reversal threat Of foreign inter-
venton-mght render such an act difficult,
if not impractcable. Before our troops
evacuate the Mexican territory that people
ought to be told what we intend to do. 1t
is barely possible that they might be dis
posed to peace upon witnessing such a
movement.
With regard to the details of the defence
of the ine-not the line defence--Ihey can
be determined very easily, and think we
might be certain Of remaining unmolested
for twenty years, and forever, with such
precautions as might be taken at little cost.
With great respect and regard, am, my
dear sir, yours, truly, J. r. POiNSETT.
Hon. A. p. BUTLER, L. S. Senate,
Washington.