The Sun.
London, England, 1847-07-20 00:00:00

AMERICAN
_AFFAIRS.

NEW YORK: JULY 1.
You have seen it announced that Mr. Trist, a clerk in
one of the offices in Washington, was commissioned, in
connexion with General Scott, to proceed to Mexico, and.
negotiate a treaty of peace with that people. The Go-
vernment journals have stated, that these envoys-extra.
ordinary, commissioners, or whatever else they may be
termed, were clothed with ample power to effect the
object of their appointment ; and that the terms and
conditions which would be tendered to Mexico were ,of a
character so honourable to both nations, and so liberal,
that they would certainly lead to an adjustment of pend-
ing difficulties.
The confident manner in which these assertions were
made, and the sources from whence they came, tended
greatly to strengthen the opinion that an early peace
might reasonably be anticipated. In this state of things
there were still to be found men who were sceptical, and
among the number your correspondent.
In the various party journals of the United States it
has been said that Messrs. Scott and Trist are not on
the most friendly terms, but no explanation or details,
have been offered. On the contrary, it has been cau-
tiously avoided by the Union, the President's organ. A
colouring, however, has been given to the subject,
according to the feelings or prejudices of the relator. I
have taken more than ordinary trouble to make myself
acquainted with the facts, which I will now give you.
My information is derived from a reliable source, and
may be depended upon.
Before I proceed, allow me to inquire who is Mr.
Trist? He was a consul at Havannah. " Thereby bangs
a tale." He was lately a clerk in the state department,
and distinguished himself by furnishing Mr. Ingersoll
with the private papers in that department, which led to
the attack in the House of Representatives on the cha-
racter of Mr. Webster, which character Mr. Webster au
nobly and so triumphantly defended.
Be it also remembered that Presi.lent Polk refused to
ratify an armistice entered into by General Taylor ; and,
it is said, declared at the time that he would never agree
to an armistice until after a treaty of peace had been
ratified. Such, at any rate, were the silly vapourings of
the palace dependents. Indeed, they are continued to
this day.
__

The -well-informed friends of General Scott believe
that Mr. Trist was sent to Mexico as a spy upon the
public conduct of the General, and if possible to ruin
him. They feel most forcibly the mortifying position
in which he is placed, by being associated in the same
commission with Mr. Trist.

The exact state of the question, as between this
country and Mexico, as to the probability of a speedy
peace, or even of a negotiation for peace, seems very
difficult to define. Tne Administration keep every-
thing dark, but among them are some leaky vessels.
From Mexico itself the accounts are vague and often.
conflicting.
Nevertheless, it may be set down as sure that Mr.
Trist, who has no higher station in this country than
that already described, has been sent to Mexico to at-
tempt negotiation, and that General Scott has been re-
quired to defer to him even as to military movements.
Previous to Mr. Triet's arrival at the head-quarters he
vddressed a sealed letter to the Mexican Government,
under cover to General Scott, with a request that the
General would forward the same, which he declined
doing, but informed Mr. Trist that he held the letter
subject to his order.

At the I?st accounts Mr. Trist had reached the head-
quarters of the army at Jalapa, and it Nas notorious
there that none other than relations of the most formal
civility existed between that gentlemen and the Com-
mander in• Chief. lam not certain, bi,t believe they do
not visit each other. This is accounted tier
less under the discretionary power conferred upon him,
but without thinking it necessary toask the co operation
of General Scott, had undertaken to propose or suggest
the expediency of an armistice•.

I'Vhcn Tr:st communicated his project to the
General, he was promptly informed, th,t, a itu th
circumstances in which the army is, paced, cut oil by
the vomit() from the poss'bility of living reinForeed or
supplied from home, and yet in (he heart of the enemy's
country, where it must, of necessity, subsist itself, the
qm,stion of an armistice was one of purcly mi itary
cognisance, and that he could not permit Mr. Trist, or
any other civilian, to meddle with it. So long as h%
was c ,mmander of the army. and responsitA for its
safety, he must decide upon the measure and
policy
esscntial to that safely.
Such is by well•intormed men in Washington known
to be the position in which the parties stand to esch
other; ai;d as it is quite certain that General Scott will
not give way in a poict of this sort, either. Mr. Trist or
the General must be superseded. But the latter step in
the present state of public feeling would be too violent,
a one.

Meantime all ace.unts from the head qtrirters of ttle
army concur in saying that General Scott, who reached
Puebla on the 28th of May, would hasten his march to
the capital, even thouzh he should not be able, after
garrisoring Jalapa, Puebla, and Perote, to muster more
than 5,000 men.

The proclamation issued by General Scott a short
time sii+ce, and addressed to the Mexicans, has pro-
duced much discussion among the American people.
By some it is said to have been prepared in Washington.
and transmitted to the Commander-in-chief. By others
it is contended that it is the act solely of General Scatt.
The fact is that it was the ac'. of Geo. Scott. in conformity
with the wishes and advice of certain Mexican cl, rgymen,
and probably with their aid, as they were best able to
judge as to the effect of language upon their people. It
is believed, and I concur in the belief, that it was first
written in Spanish or Mexican, and then translated into
English. Under such circumstances, whatever may be
thought of the policy of the measure, the whole respon-
sibility of it is with the Comman,ler-in•Chiet. The
President and his Cabinet, in relation to it, are therefore.
free from all praise or censure,
Having occupied pith
Scott wahneat Ide
Trist,e m
:nde•
in-
terestingbdetails respecting
the progress of their negotiation, I must refer yim to
the newspapers of the day for an account of the recent
movements of the two armies.
It is proper for me to state that I know the Command-
ing General has transmitted to the War Department
some time since all the particulars of his disagreement
with Mr. Trist, and his reasons there,or. The whole
subject, however, is cautiously kept from the knowledge
of the people, becau-'e its promulgation would show
"how the mighty are fallen."
the lns
sources
sd
fromto the authorshiphich its
sentiments o fthew proclamation,
derived,
idt
nsacoctht.arge of
States has been here,
and
on the Ilunday
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f Friday,w it niil
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ea
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)b, e well
Mexican to note
Ministerthe fai ctit ,
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United General
s States,
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elsm, ohnat
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, municipalbfeoern-
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ner highl •
was
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€ diitiaeble, .r. e g'lnr:l'-
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i s now
.B-uo.tugrt
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party
,eh
he e
had_ o
arrived in
nwo- warmth--noright
--toneoxpeenc-t
efrviienncdesd
hea coldd,aihtfloerss-
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wciintyg-
eei
Ever
tyetrandiamnya)n.
professed
adjust it
expected a cordialt
ireception. If he did, he has been
any other.
erF.romßutthefrolh;
the last two however, an affair of their own,
was
kbest they
randiou
st
illye they mustexamined
m
ined many
sadly mistaken.
that I could get sightain criticallyth severale ant
states.
tl
aa
tbeos-.
of)l2e published bI l haveishd
of the newspapers (indeed all
During
My object was to
the ascertain,
for your information, as cor-
rectly as I could, prospect of the new crop of grain
for bread stuffs. The
bring result of my labour has been to
me to the conclusion, that this country will have
a full average crop on the grain sown • d, conse-
quently, as that has been much enlarged', there will he
a greatly increased quantity beyond that of the last
year. On this point I entertain no doubt. As it re-
spects Indian corn, it will be almost unlimited.
There yet remains to be shipped, especially i n the
west, much of bread stuffs. Means of transport to the
Atlantic States are insufficient to meet the demand,
These facilities, however, in every part of the country,
are rapidly increasing. Yet a little while, and railroads
'
ces,
will corer the whole face of the land. The present prices,
of grain and flour cannot be supported, unless there 'id
an increased foreign demand. The next steamer, soon
to arrive, may bring decisive intelligence on that subjt•ct.
Several foreign vessels during the last 4S hours have
been taken up for Great Britain.
Money is abundant and cheap. Public stocks of
admitted staoility are in demand, and • • rising. These
circumstances tend to increase confidence is the fan-
cies, and may operate injuriously by
promoting specu-
lation. _ _

United States Sixes, Arm, at 6i to 7 per cent.; Trea-
sury notes in demand at 7 per cent.
Sterling bills, a full supply, with a moderate demand
and upward tendency, at 6 to Wer cent.—Times.
A GENE SE TRAVELLEL

RETILESENTATION OF ROllll-SFITIE.—As we WON, pre-
paring to go to press, we received the address which ap-
pears in another column, from Mr. Mackenzie, of
Applecross, intimating his intention of retiring from thO
expected conteet. —./ncernass Journc