Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-06-25

BY your direction informed him that you intended TO put
the army designed operate against Mexico under bis i'm
mediate command. and invited him, you requested me
to do. to call you for the purpose Of receiving your
views and instructions An interview between yourself
and him, which present, shortly after took place.
when you announced to him your determination to assign
him The command Of the army in the against Mex
co. The order and instructions TO him were verbal and
am not that they have been reiterated in writing
He Immediately entered upon the necessary arrangements
to carry into effect views and instructions, and down
the present time has been assduousy engaged in the
duties Of his dice. Interviews and consultations between
him and SELF often my particular Instance, have very
frequently taken place in regard 10 arrangements aud pre-
partitions for carrying the war. When first commu
nicaied to him your intention to place him in the
mand of the army he replied, that be should neither
decline solicit that service but OF receiving
verbal order entered readily into The preparatory
measures TO carry them into effect.
/ am not that he claimed "that command dgs
10 him from his rank ir .army expires ed any wish
TO be assigned Il until preference minated in
his letter Of the 25b ultmo, reply to mine Of the
date and his claim set forth IN that Of the 27h both Of
which among the papers herewith submitted. His
wishes IN this respect have been made know me-
further than they expressed in these two letters.
had information whatever that you intended change
thought Of reconsdeng the orders to Gen. Scott
hitting 10 him the command Of the army 10 operate
agsnsr Mexico until had submitted you his to
me Of the 2Ist uItmo. Aer your examination Of that
letter. received your direction changing your previous
I
25th OF May.
have the honor to be- with grea, respect your Obed
servant, W. j.. MARCY.
To the PBEsDrxT.
HEADQUARrERs OF TINE AMY,
Washington, May I'd, 1876 !
Sir IL have received orders yet, assigning me
to the immediate command Of the army, about to con-
quer peace within Mexico; but have been told TO
hold myself in readiness for that service. From that
ment have occupied myself necessarily, with the
preliminary arrangements which can only be made adj
vantageousy at this place. through the respective chiefs
OF the several sathe adutan general, quartermaster
general commissay general Of subsistence chief of ord
nance and surgeon general
In the midst of these muiidinous and &C.
equations, have learned from you that much impaence
is already felt perhaps in high quarters that have
already put route FOE the RIO Grande and now
my hands Cor many days feel myself compelled to
stop that necessary work TO guard myself against per-
haps, utter Condemnation IN the quarters alluded
old soldier and have had much special ex-
perence feel The Iafniie importance of securing
m, self against danger l-wil pre-condemnaion in
the rear, before advancing upon the public enemy.
Not an advantageous step can be taken in forward
march, without the confidence that all Is well behind
If insecure in that quarter General put his whole
heart and mind into the work to be done in 'front.' am,
therefore, not little alarmed, nay crippled in my
gies, by the knowledge of the impotence in question
and beg TO say fear other danger. -
My intentions have been, after making preliminary
here TO pass down the Ohio and Mississippi
see myself by correspondence, that the
volunteers, whom mostly TO rely in the prose-
cution OF the existing war; rapidly assembling for the
servce-o learn the probable time OF their readiness
advance upon sMexco-o ascertain If their supplies OF
every kind IN place, likely be in place in
sufficient time-to hasten and the oher-to harmon
ize the movements Of volunteers, and modify their
routes &c necessary that ALL at least sufficient
NUMBER shall arrive at the indicated points the MexI-
frontier, the best periods and far practicable
about the same time All that have skeched, l deem
be not only useful to but indispensable As
soldier make this assertion without the fear contra
diction from any honest and candid soldier.
Against the dd eaptandem condemnation Of all other
persons whoever may be designated for the high com.
mand in question, there can be reliance Gn his alb
sence) other than the active candid and steady support
Of his government If cannot have that basis
rest upon will be infinitely better for the country (no
speak Of my personal security that other
mander Of the army against Mexico should be Sc
ected No matter who he may be, he shall, at least be
judged and supported by me, in this office and every
where else, would desire, If personally in that
mand, to lie myself judged and supported
My explicit meaning is, that do not desire 10 place
myself in the most perilous of all posons-a fire upon
my rear from Washingon, and the fire in front from thu
.Merieans.
However the foregoing suggestions chastity thrown
gether) may be viewed, have deemed it due e
the country than my humble SELF that Ishoud preseu
them, and await the wishes the orders of the Presi
dent.
With great respect, have the honor remain, sir
your most obedent servant,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
Hon. W. L. MARCY, Secretary of War.
WAR DEPARTMENT, May 25, 1876.
SIR: have received your letter of the 2st insi ant
considering its extraordinary character and the gray,
matters forth therein rejecting upon the motives ant
objects of the President rendering 10 yOu he has
in explicit Manner the command Of the forces desin
ed for the war against Mexico deemed II to be my dut
to lay it before him, and to take his direction in regard
its contents.
! The passages in your letter which have excited hi
surprise and deep regret are those in which you impu
to the President in terms not nexplict iwili toward
YOURSELF or Experimentation aud course Of conduc
on his part winch has already, you allege, impede
your labors Of preparation and crippled your energies
reference to two three paragraphs your lete
will show that he is not at liberty to give different con
struction your language You were through me, ant
also at personal interview with the President, made
quanted with his settled determination place you
immediate command Of the forces to be employed il
carrying on the with Mexico, and you had, as yo
state, been devong your time and attention. TO Prelm
nary and preparatory arrangements.
ain the midst OF these mutudinous and Indispensable
occupations (you say) "I have learned from you tina
such impotence already felt, perhaps in high quarters
that have not already put myself IN route for the Ri
Grande and now, with fourteen hours day OF prellm
nary work remaining my hands for many days, I'm
self compelled stop that necessary work to guar
myself against perhaps, utter condemnation in the qna
tiers alluded TO- am old soldier, and have had to
much special xperience not to feel the infinite impo
lance Of securing myself against danger-l-wil or pre-
condemnation) 10 my rear before advancing upon III
public enemy. Not an advantageous step can be take
10 forward march, without the confidence that all
well behind If insecure in that quarter general
put his whole heart and mind the work to be don
in front. am, therefore. aot little aavmed-na,
crippled in my energes-by the knowledge Of the Imp
thence in question and beg to say fear no other dar
Q GER"
g This language scarcely requires comment That
Conveys a strong susplcion-not TO say direct mput
4 ton or orhy motives in the Executive gose
ment-of bad faith towards yoursefofa reckless disr
regard Of the interests efthc country-o design
> nv on a war against yoa while you forth carr
an ar AGAINST the nmhc enemy. there can be ihin