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PEACE
WITH
MEXICO.
BY
ALBERT GALLATIN.
BARTLETT & WELFORD:
NO. 7 ASTOR HOUSE, NEW YORK.
I.—THE LAW OF NATIONS.
It seems certain that Mexico must ultimately submit to such terms ofpeace as the United States shall dictate. An heterogeneous population ofseven millions, with very limited resources and no credit; distracted byinternal dissensions, and by the ambition of its chiefs, a prey by turnsto anarchy and to military usurpers; occupying among the nations of thecivilized world, either physically or mentally, whether in politicaleducation, social state, or any other respect, but an inferior position;cannot contend successfully with an energetic, intelligent, enlightenedand united nation of twenty millions, possessed of unlimited resourcesand credit, and enjoying all the benefits of a regular, strong, and freegovernment. All this was anticipated; but the extraordinary successes ofthe Americans have exceeded the most sanguine expectations. All theadvanced posts of the enemy, New Mexico, California, the line of thelower Rio Norte, and all the sea ports, which it was deemed necessary tooccupy, have been subdued. And a small force, apparently incompetent tothe object, has penetrated near three hundred miles into the interior,and is now in quiet possession of the far-famed metropolis of theMexican dominions. The superior skill and talents of our distinguishedgenerals, and the unparalleled bravery of our troops, have surmountedall obstacles. By whomsoever commanded on either side; however strongthe positions and fortifications of the Mexicans, and with a tremendousnumerical superiority, there has not been a single engagement, in whichthey have not been completely defeated. The most remarkable andunexpected feature of that warfare is, that volunteers, whollyundisciplined in every sense of the word, have vied in devotedness andbravery with the regular forces, and have proved themselves, in everyinstance, superior in the open field to the best regular forces ofMexico. These forces are now annihilated or dispersed; and the Mexicansare reduced to a petty warfare of guerillas which, however annoying,cannot be productive of any important results.
It is true, that these splendid successes have been purchased at a pricefar exceeding their value. It is true that, neither the glory of thesemilitary deeds, nor the ultimate utility of our conquests[Pg 4] cancompensate the lamentable loss of the many thousand valuable livessacrificed in the field, of the still greater number who have met withan obscure death, or been disabled by disease and fatigue. It is truethat their relatives, their parents, their wives and chil