The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 20, July 1916 - April, 1917 Page: 383
426 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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British Uorrespondence Concerning Texas
But whatever the secret intentions, or political necessities or
liabilities of this Government may be, as to the temper of Con-
gress and the Country on more mature reflection, and better in-
formation than have hitherto obtained, it is certain at all events
that the American force in advance has been exposed, in a Mili-
tary point of view, to serious and perfectly avoidable risks:
And if the Mexican Warfare and policy are vigorously and
judiciously managed, they have fairer means of disturbing the
early aggressive proceedings of this Government than it was rea-
sonable to suppose would have been given to them.
The outset of these operations has been defective, either as to
the need for such haste with a handful of men, or the period at
which they have been commenced, or the confused and desultory
manner in which the force has beep prepared and directed to
the theatre on which it is to act, or finally as to the point of
disembarkation.
Mexico in my judgment is in a better situation than could
have been looked for, to fall at once and at advantage, upon
schemes of warfare best suited to her strength and necessities,
and to drop simultaneous suggestions of possible accommodation
upon principles that will diminish the risk of vigorously pro-
tracted hostilities with the sanction of the Legislature of this
Country; and without that sanction the Executive of the United
State have neither the power nor the means to do, much mischief
to any other Country, or their own. Your Lordship will ob-
serve by the papers of this Country that the Governor of Louisi-
ana has been called upon by the General Officer in Command of
the S. W. division of the Army to reinforce the regular troops in
Texas with drafts from the Militia of New Orleans.
They are unfitted for the circumstances and warfare which
they would have to contend with in Texas, and will be a burden
and an expense rather than of use in this struggle. The Militia
best suited to such Service would be the hardy Yeomanry of the
Western free States, not the unpractised youth of the Southern
Cities, and I feel I hazard nothing in the prediction that if they
are detached in force at this Season to the Coast of Texas, they
will perish in great numbers, and with great rapidity. Neither
can it fail to strike the most careless observer that with the reg-383
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 20, July 1916 - April, 1917, periodical, 1917; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101070/m1/389/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.