Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-05-29
GEN. WINFIELD SCOTT

| MS selection TO assume the command OF the Anne
rican forces on the Rio Grande had been semi
officially announced, would not, AFTER all. be per
United 10 proceed to the frontier Intrigue ha,
been busy, from the beginning in Efforts to de
Prive him OF position to which he is entitled, mo-
more by his rank than by his services, and we
have never doubted that Il would be finally sue
ccssfhl. The intelligent Washington correspond
ent of the Philadelphia North American traces
the progress of events connected with the design
TO supersede Gen. Scott, in the following inter.
esting letter, which, for the present. we submit
TO the reader without comment:
Correspondence OF the Phl.a-lph, North American.
WASHINGTON. May -, 1886.
| II is hardly necessary for TO make any comments
upon the intelligence received from the frontier last night
nssmuch official have been by the
President the War Department the subject by
Tar too grave one Tor speculation. only say,
the facts stated supposed to be greatly exaggerated
now turn 10 matter, the PRONUNCIATION OF which will |
have doubt occasion little surprise 10 the country
and II IL should result, az circumstances war
rant the apprehension OF will general and spon
taneous burst OF Just nd gnaton throughout unonin
word, THERE Is sERoUs REASON EFFORT Is
FIXING MADk ny TINS AnsiNsrR,Tt'S surEksrpK GES.
Scorr IN rHE COMMAND South WEsrERN ARMY (!
In order TO present the fairly il necessary
10 the circumstances which brought about his selection
this post After the first indication of hoslillcs from the
fronuer Cen scott called council TO the mill
operations IL then proposed him BY the Pre.
dent and Secretary OF War, proceed the Rio
snd lake command OF the plain terms they de-
sired dspace Gen. Taylor With all the true
OF soldier and the noble qualities OF q man, Gen Scott
respectfully requested to be relieved from such duty lie
stated that Gen Taylor his personal rend-they had
served the field OF battle toSether-he had always shown
himself superior emergency which had been
placed and brave and gallant Officer ana would come
out VIGOROUSLY After urgent at various
interviews the subject renewed and then sub
mied whether he would accept the command of forces
ordered by Congress. To this he readily alleging
that General Taylor would then have proper ground OF
exception inasmuch his higher rank would ene him to
the position and could not be regarded disparage.
Gen. Taylor When this understanding had been
perfected the President entered into what was pre-
sumed TO be confidential intercourse with Gen. Scott
and they closoied nearly days without Interrupt
ton OF any Sort in arranging the acquisitions upon the
States, and other details.
1t Is well known with what cordial and universal re-
Spouse the selection OF Gen. Scott received all over
the Unon and by men OF all parties. The echo found
Its way back TO Washington and fell upon the ears OF
some high IN office, IN any thing but grateful
shall notsay how much or how little the prospect OF fu
ture beyond the successful termination Of this Mexican
war, may have influenced those power in the course
OF conduct which has been manifested towards Gen Scott
since this reclamation was heard; but know and pro-
claim IT, that the President and his advisers have acted with
marked GOODNESS, and in utterly with
their recent professions. Whether this be the result OF
cause and effect, is LETT for others 20 Judge.
During all these consultations and councils no order of
sort issued TO Gen. Scott The President express
ed his desire he should take the command OF the army
when It mustered into service, and Gen. Scott made
but one stipulation, viz that in the Of war with
England, he should be permitted to return from the from
tier, 10 the more honorable command which granted
Thus stood matters until about nine days ago Gen
Scott all the while pushing forward his arrangements
and was devotng night aud day the organization of
troops. Their. much his surprise the President and
the Secretary OF War and others connected with the ad
mnisirauOn different occasions, renewed the sugges-
non, that he oHsh 10 go 20 the Of He replied As
betOre-Gen. Taylor had accomplished as much as any
officer could do under the circumsances-had moved hin,
self in every capable OF coping with the enemy and
deserved Whatever laures be from the cam
paign the Rio Grande Sull pressed upon his
attention, TO become disagreeabe. About this time
"a week ago. II became necessary frame a Bill sysema-
uzing the details Of that granting the supplies This was
conhded to Cen Scott and laid before the Military
Committee Of the Senate 10 his handwriting II was done
with the knowledge and consent, and believe al the re-
quest, of the War Department.
The Military Committee Of the Senate met and Mr.
Marcy, the Secretary of War; appeared IN person before
them-a proceeding altogether unusual Several members
being sbseni section was introduced without any confer
with Gen Scott which appears as the very 6J, IN the
BIZ reported On Tuesday morning last by Col Benton 1t
is follows:
Be It enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
uyes Of the United States OF America in Congress assem-
bed, That the President OF United States be- and he
hereby authorized TO appoint by and with the advice
and Consent OF the Senate major generals and four
orgad'e generals, in addition to the present military es
iablishneEt
When remembered that according to the recent net
the States are allowed to appoint their eer- thst
generals Of the regular army Gen Taylor, Gen. Worth
and Cen Wool, exclusive OF the Comma Chief are
be the field, and therefore that no necesy and 90
reasonable preteXt exists Tor the these new off,
Gers, and the mode by watch the clause inserted In the
b taken confederation, it cannot but be inferred
there decided motive for such a movement upon
the part Of the adm nisaon. when the personal agency
o. member oil the Csolnei was necessary 10 procure
adoption.
VIII the government paper answer whether it was the
Presidents purpose by this supersede General
Scott m tue Command army, by securing places
TOR his friends now, retain Them the close Of me war
wnen the peace establishment 10 be formed by CAV
ing the soby TO scott and Gsints These pungeut
uterUgitorcs snd explicit aye demanded by tue
country, OF whose F.yEy aac greatness, reputation Of
Winfield scott, j. .uInpartant part. / challenge a
manly anu candid reply aBG call upon the Pres dents
OrgIn tell vs., why increase Ut n,n officers was de.
manded Oy tue FresiItGl through his Sec!.t4ry Of War
Wnen not needed lor ~. pubic service
In this connection let We yCLture predicnon-if this bill
l. passed Samuel Houston OF Texas will be a General in
the army OF tue United States mark that! The nferences
are lett 10 those who choose To form iGem.
But 70 return WithIn the last few DAYS Gen Scott be-
ing sill without Oders the subject being resumed and
this BILL itself sngulay expressive, berg before Congress
he addresscd letter TO the President stating at length
M reasons for declining The appointments supersede Gen
Taylor and why lie could without any reflection upon that
gallant oiee assume the command Of the whole force
be called OuL-No reply has been given as yet and II is
now matter o! much doubt II be will be ordered II the
pending bill be hastily carried through believe he
will be oversaughed- not the President may take even
a more eNcepu0Hable course.
Tho length Of this letter preudes from extending the
remarks which intended to submit the public but
cannot close without the expression Of opinion II Mr.
Folk and his cabinet design make this Mexican war
political war; a. events have already Indicated the sooner
they abandon their places the better for themselves no
ecrahon can be TOO loud for such condueno penalty too
severe. The Union" has day after day. charged false
hoods upon statesmen Of pure patriotism aud unsuied
integrity that exist in this land and trades seem
dolly to nave been the preudes upon the Hero Of
Niagara. lSDEFESDEsr.
" Mr. Tyler hes gone Washington. in obedience 10
the summons Of the Committee Of Investigation in the
Webster case.
u few OF the citizens Of New Orloins have present
ed Capt May, who made the gallant and successful
charge upon the Mexican AruIory. with a Sword snd Belt
Upon me Sword IL this inscription Presented 10 Cop,
Charles May, " the second regiment Of Dragoons By his