The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-06-06

cation of Mr. Webster from all the nsperslons
of Mr. G, J. lngcrsoll, in relation TO the secret
service fund,
Tho advces from Mr. McLnnc, by the last
steamer, were anything but encouraging to an
immediate and satisfactory adjustment of our
Oregon difficulties. lfthc intelligence of this
Mexican war should reach England before any
definite expression has been made in reference
to the notice, we may expect TO find serious
embarrassment in the way of n sctlement.-
Great Britain and France stand and act to-
gothcr in the design of placing monarch up
on the ruins of the Mexican Republic, with
joint gunrnntec--and no more fitting opportu-
nifty ever offered than the present, for putting
that purpose into execution
The Washington Correspondent of the Bos
ton Atlas, under date of May %, says;
Since the Press of both parties have spoken
out, in terms of such general appreciation, of
the selection of Gen. Scott TO lead the army
into Mexico, n considerable reaction has taxi
en- place in the mind of the President and his
constitutional advisers, who are nothing more
or less than the slNvish nutomnta of his wishes
az to the policy ofhs selection. When the
first endorsements occurred on the frontier,
Mr. Polk manifested the utmost cagerness 10
have General Scott assume the command held
by Gen Taylor The Hero Of Niagara, like
true soldier, demonstrated against this dis
para cement of gallant and faithful officer;
and stated TO the President that he was fully
competent to dirchargc every duty that had
been assigned to him. Some days aft rwnrds,
the President sign,lcd his purpose to appoint
him to the general command of the Army, to
be recruited by the act of Congress Gen.
Scott consented at once observing that IT was
due to his rank, and would not be regarded as
any reflection upon Gen Taylor According
| ly, lac was taken into the Presidents Council:
and they together, laid out the distribution of
the acquisitions upon the States, and other dc.
tails. Meantime, the intelligence that Scott
was to head the troops had gone broad, 4 re-
turned TO the Capital, as have already stated.
1t was anything but the JUNCTION which Mr.
Polk desired, lie, at once, argued thatth re-
suit ola victory might place him in the Prcsi-
dental Chair and lac concluded, with
the natural sclfshncss of his heart, 10 revoke
his action, or place il in such position us TO
ed upon him the proPrety Of suPerseding Tay-
lor. This was followed up by similar sugges-
tons from the Secretary of War, and other
members of the Cabinet, doubtless Mt the in
stigation OF the Executive. To one and all lac
replied in the same strain. No man could do
more than Taylor had accomplished and no
one so well deserved to conclude campaign
I ,.bh a h,A aau
Scott expressed the most unlimited confidence
that he would route the enemy in any regular
engagement, even with double forces opposed.
How we'll founded was this prediction, we
have now seen.
About this period, only eight days ago, it
was necessary TO prepare n Bill, organizing
the details If the army, which Congress had
ordered to be raised. Gen. Scott drew II with
his own hand-and it was fully approved by
the War Department, from which it was trans
) mit,cd To the Military Committee. On Mon
day or Tuesday last, that Committee met, and
Mr. Marcy appeared before it, bearing a new
section to he added to the proposed Bill which
was reported TO the Senate Tuesday. II
provides for adding tsoo Major Generals and
four Brigadicr Generals To the military cstnh
lishmcnt, II is well known that there is ne
manner of necessity for these officers. The
States are allowed to choose their own, ant
: there will be three Brigadier Generals of the
u. S. in the field, exclusive of the Command
ing General What then was the purpose OF
this extraordinary movement 1t was to confer
on Mr. Polk the power to appoint two Majo
Generals, and then to choose one of them t.
place over the head of Gen. Scott in the com
mand of the army. Nay more, it is an insidi
v Gus attempt to displacc Scott and Gaines al
e together; for, when this war is over, the arml
= must be reduced, and but two Major General
,, retained in the service. Can any doubt, VIII
v knows Mr. james X. Polk, that the successful
: leader of the Mexican war, as must amy Gen
t who undertakes it prove to be, will be pre-
l. ferred to the Hero of Chippewa and Niagara!
il This whole scheme, | repeat, is designed
!. Dust Gen. Scott from the army, and to proven
1t him from rcapng any ofthe honors, such a
% they may be, of this upon uniortunat
Is Mexico.
A. Seeing the game that was playing-that n
u orders were issued to him, and that an evideT
re GOODNESS had suddenly grown up in his intel
IS course with the Executive-Gen. Scott aC
dressed a letter to the Secretary of War, a fe'
W days ago, setting forth his objections to supei
seding Gen. Taylor, and expressing som
lie doubts to the propriety of taking the gel
e, eral command, inasmuch as it appca
t. ed that he had lost the confidence of I'll
President He concluded, however, by sa,
ing that the first duty of soldier was "to
~ hay md he WINS realv 10 receive nm