The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-06-10
THE MEXICAN WAR m WARRINGTON.
Message Of the President In relation
to Generals Gaines and Scott;
Correspondence between The Secretary OF War
and General Scott.


Edmund p Gaines and General Winfield Scott, of the
army Of the United States.
The report Of the Secretary OF War; and the accom-
panying cspondence with General Gaines. contain
all the information IN my possession in relation 10 calls
for volunteers or mi ta into the service of the United
States "bv any officer of the army, without legal a'i-
thorty therefor" and OF the which have been
adopted in relation to such officer or troops SO called
In addition to the information contained in the report Of
the Secretary of War and the accompanying correspon
dence with Major Gene raj of the United States
upon the subject Of his taking the command OF the
army Of occupation the frontier OF Texas-l state
that the same day which approved and signed the
act Of the 18Th Of Nav 1916 entitled AN providing
for the othe existing war hetw the United
States and the republic Of Mexico" communicated
TO General scott through the Secretary of War and
also in a personal interview with that officer my de-
sire that he should take command of the army on
the Rio Grande and of the volunteer forces which in
formed him il my intention forthwith 70 call out to
march TO that frontier 10 be employed in the prosecu
mand to General Scott was voluntary my part and
made without any request ntimaton on the SUBJ
commander-iIchef Of the army. My communications
with General Scott assigning him the command YER
in person No written order was deemed TO he
General Scott assonted to the command, and
the following day had another interview with him and
the Secretary OF War. In relation to the number and
portonment among the several states of the volunteer
forces to be called ont for immediate the forces
which were TO be org nized and held in readiness sub
ject to future call should it become necessary and
other military preparations and to he made
with view TO the vigorous prosecution of the war. II
distinctly settled and was ell Understood by Gen
that he was to command the in the against Next
CO. and continued he settled and without
sny other intention part until the Secretary Of War
submitted to the letter Of Gen Scot. addressed to
hin under cate OF the 2ist of May 1876 copy of which
Is herewith communicated The character OF that letter
madc itproper III judgment to change my determine
ton in regard TO the command of the srmy and the Sec
rotary OF War by nv direction in his letter of the 25th
of May, 1916, copy of which is also herewith commune
catod for the therein assigned informed Gene
Scott that he was relieved from the command Of the
destined to prosecute the war against Mexico and that
he would remain in the discharge of his duties at Wash
Mexico has since been assigned to General Taylor with
his lievet rank OF majorgeneral recently conferred
upon him. JAMES X. POLK.
WASHINGTON, June 8, 1916.
WAN DEPARTMENT. Juncs. 1916.
sir In compliance with direction, have the no
TO transmit herewith such letters and documents
ore IN this department. TO enable You the
solution of the Senate Of the 18th instant sting in
FORMATION First in relation to unauthorized calls OF
unteers and militia into the service OF the United
States by any officers Of the army. &C. Second the
rcSpondence between the Secretary Of War and Major
General Scott on the subject of his taking the command
Of the army OF occupation the frontiers of Texas Sc
And third the correspondence between General Gaines
ana the government from the LIST Of June 1915, to the
present time upon the subject of volunteers militia
ordered to the frontiers OF Texas.
The information requested in the first and last branch.
cs ofthe resolution is mainly furnished by the
pondence herewith submitted between this department
and General Gaines who is the only officer Of the army
known 10 have called for volunteers militia without
legal authority within the periods specified The first
unauthorized call by that officer made the COVER
nor Of Louisiana, on the 18th August ls45 for two
panes ofvoluneer artillery about 200 mem which
mustered into service the 2lst of that month"; and i'm
mediatcly sent 10 Texas to report to General
Taylor At Corpus Christi. AS soon as information
of this call made known TO the department Gen.
Gaines was reminded in communication addressed to
him. that authority to make such calls vested only
in the President and that the emergency which would
tolerate excuse the assumption OF this authority by
military officer in command at distance from the seat
Of government in anticipation Of the Presidents action
must be one indicating great and imminent peril to the
country peril so great and imminent to leave
reasonable doubt thar the President, with full know
ledge Of all the circumstances OF the would have
felt ii to DO his duty TO resort to such aid" As the call
had been promptly responded TO- and tho troops sent to
he stayed. Gen Tay lor directed to receive and
tain them in service as long in his judgment, the
the public exigeney might require although by your
direction, Gen Gaines was informed that his proceeding
was not approved by YOU These volunteers were dis
charged and sent home the expiration Of their three
months term Of service.
No further calls appear to have been made by Gen.
Gaines Tor volunteers militia, until early in May, Of
the present year when unauthorized request requ-
sons in various forms and Of different import were
made by him for volunteer force some to be in readi-
and others immediate entrance into service the
amount Of which is not yet known this department
but as far AZ ascertaned, is embraced in
which Is among the documents herewith furnished
Is also Understood that he has taken to
ganise troops independent of his calls upon States
through the respective Governors and the accompany
officers, without instructions or legal authority.
soon as information received OF those proceedings
prompt measures were taken to couneract them and 10
arrest this course of Independent action portion of
those thus called into service by acquisitions upon the
promptly responded to the same the of those
States informed that these calls upon them had
been recognised to the extent Of the numbers furnished
and sent TO Texas" To this extent aud further has
the conducts of General Gaines in making acquisitions
calling into service and Arising troops been rccogni
sed aud all hey ond has been distinctly disapprovcd
BY your direction, orders have been issued relieving
him from the command Of the DIVISION and
curing him to repair to this city.
The correspondence called for by the second branch
OF the resolution accompanies this communication. In
relation to that part OF which asks for information
Mt flulnO hy fln Brax al
dent Secretary of War to Gen the
Rio Grande or to take command of the army" &c. |
have to state that about the time the law nsng tn
existence ofa between the u States and Mexico and
authorship the raising volunteer force of 30 900
was passed. had conversation with Maj Gen. Scott,
and by your direction. informed him that you intended
TO put the army designed to operate against Mexico
under his immediate command, and invited him, as you
requested do to call you for the purpose Of
receiving your views and instructions. An inter
view between yourself and him. at which was pre-.
sent shortly after took place when you announced to
him your determination TO assign him 20 the command OF
the arm ~ the war against Mexico The order and in
,truct;ons to him werc verbal and not aware that
they have been reiterated in writing He Immediately
entered upon the necessary arrangements carry
effect views and instruction. and down the pre-
sent time, has been asuousy engaged in the duties Of
his office. Interviews and consultations between him
and myself often my particular instance have very
frequently taken place in regard to arrangements and
preparations for carrying the When first
muncaed to him your intention to place him in the
msnd OF the army he replied that he should neither de-
cline nor solicit that service; but receiving
your verbal order, entered readily into the
no claimed that command due him from his rank
the army or expressed any wish TO he assigned it,
until his preference intmaed in his letter OF tho
.stn uitmo in reply TO mine OF tho date and his
claim set forth in that Of the 27h both which among
the papers herewith submitted His wishes in this
srcct have not been made known to me further than
they are expressed in these two letters had n,ima-
ton whatever that you intended 10 change thought
.: rcconsdering the orders General committing
TO him the comman OF the army Operate against Mex
,co. until had submitted to you his letter to Of the
2lst uItimo. After your examination of that letter
received your direction changing your previous
Gers and communicated it to him in my letter Of the 25th
oil May.
have the honor to be- with great respect, your obedi
cat servant, W. l.. MARCY.
To the FsE.IprSr
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARM,
. Washington, May 81, 1916
DIR, have received orders yet assigning me to
Inc immediate command Of the army about to be
raised 70 conquer peace within Mexico; but have
been told to hold myself in readiness for that service
kavo