Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-06-11
HEADQUARTERS OF THE Army,
Washinrfnn MAJ o. IsiI

Washington, May %, 1916
Sir: Your letter Of this date, received at about G. D. m
asl SAT Gown TO take hasy plate OF soup, demands
prompt reply.
You have taken four days to reflect and to convict me
upon my letter TO you of the 2st instant Of official per
maps personal dsrespcct the constitutional commander
ln-ehet OF the army and navy OF the United States
you have succeeded ia impartng that impression to
the PRESIDENT hen by the conclusion OF your letter. writ
ten IN his behalf am placed under very high obligations
his magnanimity-may not add, TO his kindnessl-in
not placing instantly in arrest and before general
court MARTIAL may then hope that the President saw no
such intended dsespect and can assure YOU both tina
iee too great Difference the constitution and the laws
tiny country TO offer or to design indgny chief
ma istrate.
The strongest passages in my condemned letter are
thnS, hypothetical In It, spoke of "impauence"-'per-
maps IN high quarters o"perhaps, condemnation
the quarters alluded to- Of the infinite importance OF
ing myself against danger i,oiH in
my rear and OF that most perous of all positions any
commander-"a IRE upon lhsl from Washington and
the lire in front from the Mexcans And also spoke OF
the necessity OF 1.-The active candid aud steady support
such commanders government in the hope OF concila-
ting IL.
Now f there be any offence to the Pfesden, in these
passages-ihe intention OF committing which utterly dis.
clam-lt must IN cando be found the meaning OF the
passages high quarters and the quarters alluded
which qualify all the others quoted by you.
Ii will be perceived that spoke of the highest guar
ter but, IN the plural "hgh quarters" and beg
OF justice less myself than the President TO say
meant impaiience," and pre- condemnation" on
your part and the known open and violent condemnation
OF ms on tue part OF several leading and supposed conf
dants OF the President the houses OF Congress- thigh
quariers because, intimaton-not Order-l did
not fly 10 the Rio GTande, without waiting for the invading
army yet to be raised-nsy, abandoning it get that
ver as II could and without the least the honOTa
bic pride and distinction OF the gallant general already
command on that river; who, knew had done we'll was
doing well, and who, quite sure and his little army
woud the occasion offered cover themselves with glory.
Mypredicon in this respect has been fully accomplished
But that did fear, and express the fear in my
nasty letter OF the 2ls that those persons
would, sooner or later, impar their Of
me TO the President, will deny. Nv letter was writ
ten IN part guard both the President and myself
such result which would have been fatal only to me-
but perhaps, for campaign the service Of the country
Hence the details entered into show the President and
the Secretary Of Warneither supposed TO be profession
ally experienced IN the technical prelimnares of
paign-what had BEEN and what would continue for some
days-y incessani occupations There special plead.
ing in this explanation. IL is written and offered good
faith in proof Of which beg refer my to you Of
this date sent IN three hours before the reception Of that
which am now replying.
You speak Of my interview with the President on the sub
Jeci Of the intended formidable invasion Of Mexico
wish had the time TO do justice to my recollection Of the
Presidents excellent sense military comprehension pa.
ence, and cOureSies in these interviews have since
often spoken Of the admirable qualities he displayed on
those occasions, with honor far my power
to do him honor.
And to you, sir, allow me to say have NOT accused
YOU and do not to you Of a set purpose 10
dscredt me the commander first designed for the
new army that il to invade Mexico. / bear IN mind
WIN pleasure te many personal cOuTteseH that have
long years received your hands. have for many
days believed that you have allowed yourself he in
uenced against by the clnmor Of Of the friends
TO whom have alluded. To that source, aud from no
iwl OF your own, have feared that you had not made
and not likely TO make, the just and easy eGpa-
nations my behalf which might be made You arc also
aware OF other causes OF uneasness have against the
pamentOi the want OF that confidence and support ne.
cossary my official poson-whelhor here or on the
Rio Grande. have heretofore explained myself on these
points, which renders repetition unnecessary.
Whether il shall be the pleasure Of the President TO send
TO the Rio Grande which I would prcicrl or TO 70.
tain here can only say sm equally ready TO do my
duty either position, with all my ZEAL and oil my ability
In great haste, have the honor remain your most
| obedient servant, WINFIELD SCOTT.
Hon. W. l.. MARCY,
Secretary Of War.