Under our second head, Mexican officials were frequently requested to furnish laborers and supplies; and it was not unusual to add in such instances that in case of non-compliance the Americans would help themselves to what they needed, and pay nothing. This threat, however, sounded more terrible than it was. "There must be the semblance of coercion", Worth wrote on one such occasion. The people were usually glad, or at least willing, to exchange produce and services for round, yellow dollars; and it was obviously for the common advantage that a person in authority, well acquainted with his constituents and the local conditions, should arrange the exchanges; but any appearance of having friendly business relations with the invader seemed likely to bring down punishment from Mexican sources at a later day, and therefore was guarded against. Transactions of this kind proceeded usually with little real friction, save when the excessive prices, that were often demanded, had to be reduced arbitrarily.[1]
Certain other relations between American commanders and Mexican officials proved less agreeable to the latter. So long as active hostilities continued, both Taylor and Scott were unwilling to seize instead of purchasing supplies, as the Executive recommended. They knew that our gold in a Mexican pocket diffused a soporific influence among the nerves of his patriotism; that stocks would be concealed or even destroyed by the owners rather than
- ↑ *Worth to Vice-Gov., Saltillo, November 28, 1846, War Dept. archives, Mex.; id. to First Alcalde, Puebla, May 17, 1847, Ayunt. archives; *Gefe Politico to Ayunt., Saltillo, November 30, 1846, Salt, archives. R. Patterson to Castro, November 9, 1847, N. Orl. Picayune, December 19, 1847; *Worth to Commrs., Saltillo, November 23, 1846, Adj.-Gen.'s office; House Ex. Doc. No. 60, 30 Cong., 1 sess., p. 967 (Worth, May 19).
orders, Adj.-Gen.'s office; *Col. W. Gates, Tampico, series of orders, ibid.; *Gen. Worth, Monterey and Saltillo, series of orders, ibid.; *Gen. Wool, Monterey and Saltillo, series of orders, ibid.; *Col. H. Wilson, Vera Cruz, series of orders, ibid.; *Gen. J. Shields, Tampico, series of orders, ibid. (Rations, work) *Consul F. L. Giffard, no. 12, Vera Cruz, April 13, 1847, P. R. O. The following body of regulations for Saltillo, established by Wool on July 9, 1847, is fairly typical: All residents capable of working must have some honest vocation, and those found here after three days without such will be tried and punished. Those who arrive must report to the governor; and those who depart, except U. S. officers, must do the same. All crimes will be punished by Mexican laws when Mexicans alone are concerned; when men of different nationalities are implicated, they may be tried by the governor or by tribunals appointed by him. A tariff of prices will be published in orders from time to time. Gambling is prohibited. Liquors may be sold only in licensed houses, and none may be imported. Unauthorized public fandangos [dances] and exhibitions are prohibited. Mexican houses may not be taken for private uses without the consent of the owners. The firing of arms is forbidden. All disorder will be punished.
