Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-06-13
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,

WASHINGTON, MAY IS, 1916
SIR Your letter Of this date, received at about F. NJ
as sat down to take hasty plate of SOUP demands prompt
reply
You have taken four days reflect convict me- upon
my letter TO you of the 2lst instant of official perhaps per
sona disrespect the constitutional commander of
the army and navy of the United States
If you have succeeded mparng that impression to the
PRESIDENT then, by the conclusion of your letter. written in
his BEHALF am placed under very high obligations his mag
nanimity-may add TO his kindness PIN not placing
me instantly In arrest and before general martial
may then hope that the President such intended dis
respect and you both that feel greats
ence to the constitution and the laws Of country offer
to design an indgnity TO our Chief Magistrate.
The strongest passages in my condemned letter are
think hypothetical In it spoke of impatence," "per-
haps IN high quarters Of perhaps utter condemnation in
the quarters alluded to Of the infinite importance Of
curing myself against danger ,cW Dre-condemnationl
IN my = and of that most pcrlous Of all positions TO
any commanders fire upon his from Washington,
and the fire IN front from the Mexcans. And also spoke
oil the necessity off, the active candid and steady support
of such commandels Government in the hope fconciiat-
ing it,
Now there be any offence to the President IN these pas
sages-the intention Of committing which utterly dscam-
must candor be found the meaning the passages
hgh quarters, and the Quarters alluded to-" which qualify
all the others quoted by you
IL will be perceived that spoke not Of the highest quarter
but in the plural high quarters !; and beg act
justice, no less to myself than the President, say
impatence, and "pre-condemnaton" on your part
and the known, open, and violent condemnation of the
part Of several leading and supposed condants of the Prcs
dent In the two Houses Of Congress- (high quarters be-
cause, inmation-not oder-I did y the Rio
Gande, without waiting for the invading army vet to be
raised, nay, abandoning to get to that river could and
without the least regard TO the honorable pride and distinction
OF the gallant General already command on that river
who, we knew had done WE'LL doing WELL and who was
quite sure and his little army, would if the occasion offered
cover themselves with glory. My predictions in this respect
has been fully accomplished
But that did fear and meant to express the fear in NV
letter oil the 2ls
would later mpa their of m. 10
the President, will not deny. NV letter was written in
part to guard both the President and myself against such
result which would have been fatal only me- but per-
haps for campaign, the service of the country Hence
the details entered into show the President and the Sece
ay OF Waneither supposed be professionally experienced
IN the technical pclminaries of campawhat bad BEEN
and what would continue for somedas my ncessan occupa
tons There sno special pleading III this explanation Il
written and offered in good faith in proof of which beg
refer to my letter Of this date sent in three hours before
the reception of that to which am replying.
You speak OF my interviews with the President on the sub
Iect OF the intended formidable invasion of Mexico. wish
had the time to do justice my recollection Of the Presidents
excellent sense military comprehension patience and coure-
sizes in these interviews have often spoken of tho adj
mrable qualities he displayed those occasions with honor
as lar as It was IN my power TO do him honor.
And to you, SIR, allow to say, have not accused you
and do not mean to you, Of purpose dsccd
me the commander for the new army that
invade Mexico bear in mind with pleasure the many per-
sona coultescs that have for long years. received your
ahus Du nave Tor many days believed that have al
lowed yourself to be influenced against by the camor Of
some OF the friends TO whom have alluded To that source
and from no Ill will Of your own have feared that you had
not made andwere likely make the JUS, easy ex
plantations in my behalf which might be made. You are
also aware OF other Of uneaness have against the
Departmental the want Of that confidence and support
cessary TO my official posion-wheher here the Rio
Gandc have heretofore explained myself on these points,
which renders repetition unnecessary.
Whether shall be the pleasure Of the President to send
me to the Rio Gande (Which would prefer 10 retain
me here can only say equally ready TO do my duty in
either position with all my zeal and all my ability.
In great haste, have the honor to remain your most obc
dent servant, WINFIELD SCOTT
Hon. w. l.. MAncY, Secretary Of War.
VIZ liz NJ IaiC