Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-02-11
Putney, Feb. 5, is4s.

Plans for Closing he Var Tietrs II Gems.
Scott and Tdyior.-Two messages ~erc received
by the Senate from the President of the u. S.
on Monday; lst-ln reply to resolution cali
ing for certain correspondence Of Gen. Scott,
and asking whether the general order No $40
was issued under instructions from the War De
partment, &c. 2d-ln reply to MIR BerrIen's
resolution in reference TO a letter TO Gen. lay
lor on the subject Of the most suitable line to DO
occupied by the u. 5.
The Secretary Of War says that mo particu-
lar instructions have been given TO Gen. Scott
for issuing the order referred TO, but il is pre-
sumed that he has taken that step in conse-
aucnce of the general Instructions given to him
on the subject Of levying contributions, and Of
making the resources OF the enemys country
available as far as may be within the rules Of
civilized warfare, for the maintenance Of our
troops in Mexico, and defrnying the expenses
incident TO the present state Of hostilities.'
The Secretary gives extract from Gen.
Scott'a dcspatch dated 18th of Sept, lS47,
wherein the Commanding General submits ce.-
tain suggestions to the Government, which a.e
in effect as follows:
Promising that he has no official information
as to the number Of troops ordered since the
march Of Gen. Pierce's detachment, but assum.
ing the force en- route at $500, and that 1000
more are soon to follow, the General-in-chief
states that he can hold the capital, garrisoned by
800 men, against any external attack or COM
bined with an internal instruction, and have
an ample surplus force TO occupy Puebla, Perotc
Jalapa, the National Bridge, the Passo de Obc-
jas, Santa Fe and Vera Cruz
As a modification Of this plan, il Is added that
with total Of $4,000, the principal mining dis
tricts Of the country may be occupied, and a Sc
cure transit given to gold and silver bullion,
which, paying the customary duties, would cor
er considerable part Of the expenses of oceu-
patton.
Gen. Scott further suggests that, to augment
| the army 10 10000, would enable il TO occupy
all the State capitals aud principal cities, to
drive gucrrillas and robbing parties from the
great highways Of trade, to seize into our hands
/ all the revenues of the country, aud to keep the
Central Government in constant motion and
alarm, until constrained to sue for peace.
To withdraw the army from the interior Of
the country, and occupy the strong points with
in the boundaries which the U. S. intend to hold
permanently, and, in the act of retiring, to blow
up the citadel in the capital, the fortress of
Chapultepec, Perote, San Juan de Ulua, and the
walls Of Vera Cruz, (unless il be preferred to
! garrison the last iwo) destroy all the iron guns
captured, and carry Oft all made Of brass, with
all ordnance stores Of value, (the only cannon
foundry in the republic we have already destroy
ed) and a strict blockade Of the ports not garri-
soned by our troops, would of course be essential
in the conquest Of peace.
The second communication gives a number Of
letters addressed by Gen. Taylor TO the Adju-
tant General, some Of which are headed conf
dental, embracing copies Of letters reports, and
other communications referred to in the letter Of
Gen. Taylor, dated at New Orleans, goth July,
1915.