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the Congress, says that the Government is for prosecuting the war vigorously, but it is for Congress to say whether or not they shall treat for peace; that if the war is continued, extraordinary means must be resorted to, to raise the necessary funds, for that now the Treasury is bankrupt, and the troops without pay, clothing, or subsistence.
Under these circumstances, I do not see how they can long continue the war, and one or two efficient blows on our part may bring them to their senses.
Their blindness is incomprehensible, and what they expect by continuing the war is more than I can imagine.
General Patterson brought with him the President's (ours) message, by which I see he proposes to keep the country we have conquered, as a remuneration for the expenses of the war. This will do more to bring about a peace than many battles.
General Taylor's column brought a mail with it, in which came your letter of the 14th of November, at which time you had received mine on the subject of my promotion.
General Worth has recommended me for a brevet, but it was in a letter to General Scott, written in the early part of December, and I fear did not reach Washington till after General Scott's departure.
As soon as he is called on, however, to do so officially, he will do it again, for, unrequested on my part, he told me he should use all possible exertion to secure my promotion.
I also received the notice of the meeting of the good citizens of Philadelphia, proposing to present swords to those officers from Philadelphia who had distinguished themselves on the 8th and 9th of May.
If I should be included in this category, I should deem it a high honor.
Tampico, January 24, 1847.
You will be somewhat surprised, probably, to hear of my being in this place, as doubtless the newspapers will give you the information of the return of General Taylor to Monterey, and you will expect me to have gone with him. I last wrote you from Victoria, where I had gone with General Quitman's command, and where we were joined by General Taylor, with Twiggs's division of regulars.
General Taylor, after waiting for some days for communications from General Scott, who, he was informed, was in the country somewhere, determined to take his force down to Tampico for supplies, and await General Scott's orders at that point.
Accordingly, on the 15th instant, General Twiggs's command left Victoria, and I was 