of whatever name or kind, heretofore, say in the year 1844, payable or collected by that Government, is absolutely prohibited, as all such taxes or dues will be demanded of the proper civil authorities for the support of the army of occupation." Thus were duties on import^ REVIEW OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 23Y • and exports, municipal, and all other taxes authorized by Mexico in time of peace and prosperity, to be extorted by a foreign army from the miserable impoverished people. One would have supposed that such exactions might have satisfied the Americans. But no—Mr. Polk had, from the moment he commenced the war, been sighing for peace.
General Scott had, indeed, conquered Mexico, but he had not conquered a peace ; and an organized system of plun- der was to effect what his troops and bombs had failed to accomplish. Hence, a second order was issued on the 31st December, 1847, from Head Quarters, imposing on several of the Mexican States a contribution amounting to A MILLION OF DOLLARS. The foUowiug is an extract from this order : " On the failure of any State to pay its assessment, its functionaries, as above, will be seized and imprisoned, and their property seized, registered, reported, and converted to the use of the occupation, in strict accordance to the general regulations of this army. No resignation or abdication of office, by any of the said Mexican functionaries, shall excuse any of them from the above penalties. If the foregoing measures should fail to en- force the regular payment as above from any State, the commanding officer of the United States forces within the same, will immediately proceed to collect in money or kind from the wealthier inhabitants (other than neutral friends) ivithin his reach, the amount of the assessment due from the State."* This was the same General who, in his proclamation addressed " to the Mexican nation," from Jalapa, May 11th, 1847, assured them, that " The army of the United States respects, and will always respect, private pro- * It is but justice to General Scott to mention, that he acted in accordance with instructions from Mr. Polk, who, without any authority from Congress, assumed the power of imposing taxes and collecting duties in Mexico.