Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1846-06-18
CORRESPONDENCE
Beipeen Gen. Scott and the Var Departm

chapter in the political history of the times, and
we regret that its great length preeludes us
from giving il entire in our columns. The fol-
lowing abstract, from the Providence Journal,
comprises the more interesting portions OF 1t:
The President says in his message that he |
had intended to confer the command OF The ar
my upon Gen. Scott, and had verbally INFORM
ed that officer of his Intention no written order
being deemed necessary. This was the under.
standing until the 2lst Of May, when Cen
Scott addressed letter 10 the Secretary Of War
of such n character that the President determin-
ed to relieve him from the command, which
was then assigned to Gen. Taylor.
! A communication from the Secretary OF War
to the President follows The Secretary gives
an account of the Unauthorized call for volun
eers made by Gen Gaines, and their repudia-
lion by the department, allof which has already
been made public. In relation to Gen. Scott
the Secretary merely confirms what the Presi-
dent states in his message.
The letter of Gen. Scot, dated May 2lst,
which is complained Of by the President and is
made the ground of removing him from the
command of the army, is addressed to the Sc
Icretary of War 1t commences
H Sir IL have received no orders, as yet, as
! signing me To the immediate command Of the
| army about to be raised to conquer a peace
within Mexico but have been told TO hold
! myself in readiness for that service. From that
! moment | have occupied myself, necessarily,
with the vast preliminary arrangements which
can only be made, advantageously, at this place.
After giving nm account OF the multiplicity OF
his engagements, he says:
| In The midst of these multitudinous and in
ldispenSable occupations, l have learned from
you that much impalience is already felt, per-
haps in high quarters, that have not already
put myself in route for the Rio Grande and
now with fourteen hours day Of preliminary
work remaining on my hands, for many days
find myself compelled 10 stop that necessary
work TO guard myself against, perhaps, after
! condemnation in the quarters alluded 10.
4 am too old a soldier and have had too much
Special experience not too feel the infinite i'm
portance Of securing myself against danger, Gu
'cM or pre- e'eondemnation) in my rear before ad
: vancng upon the public enemy Not an ad
vantageous step can be taken, in forwart
march, without the confidence that all is wei
behind. If insecure in that quarter, no gener
al can put his whole heart and mind into tn,
work to lie done in front. am, therefore, no
a little alarned-nay crippled in hy energies
by the knowledge Of the impatience in question
and beg to say, fear no other danger
=
a All iha, | have but sketched deem to be no
4 only useful 10 success, but indispensable. As
soldier, make this assertion without the fear o
> contradict ton from any honest and candid soldier
G Against the dd cdptandua condemnation of al
II o.her persOns--whoever may be desi gnated fo
Il the high commands IN questlon--there can be ~
rcli;fDcc Gin his absence) other Than the active
candid and steady support Of his government -
-, llIf ] cannot have that sure basis to rest upon.
u will be infinitely better for the country (not (
q speak of my personal security tina, some othe
,f commander of the new army, against Mexico
N should he selected No matter who he may be
he shall at least be jndged and supported by ms
in this office and everywhere else, as would d,
y sire, if personally in that command. TO be m,
" self judged and supported. My explicit meat
. ing is--that do not desire TO place myself i
10 the most perlous of all positions "a fire upon n,
& rear, from Washington, and the fire in Jrom, fro,
The Me1icons."
T. After giving his views of the forces requisi,
al to be raised ,-of the route for the various corp
al -of the nature of the climate, ,--the means
supplies, and of the probable time at which III
he campaign could be effectively commenced
.
- says:
"It was to command such larger army thai,
understood myself as likely To be sent to tl
Mexican frontier, as IS al,oays unj ust TO
iunior General, who has done well, aud il sn
posed to be doing well, TO supercede him 1
a General of higher rank. without sending Wi
the latter, corresponding reinforcements.
A. shOuh esteem mysey Me unhappy instrument
es rOnndiag the h0noraJie pride ot the gallant an
VI. udicions 1ayior, if ordeIed to supercede him und
different circumstances"
The Secretary of War replies to this letter
the 25th. lie accuses Gen. Scott Of " rehectll
g upon the motives and objects Of the President
" and says:
y" "The passages in your letter which have g
I'M cited his surprise and deep regret, are those
ed which yOU impute to the President, IN terms n
IInexplicit, i'll ,ciu towards yourself, or preco
q demnation and a course of conduct on his pa
vi which has already, as yOu allege, impeded yO
he labors of preparation and crippled your ene
gies."
The Secretary then reviews the letter Of Ge
Scott, and expresses great surprise at the imp
n, tation of unfair motives or unfriendly feelings
ra the part of the President lie refers to his
tcrview with Gen. Scott, aud to his remar
which the latter construed into the expression
nj, II impatience and dissatisfaction. Gen. Scott
,te that interview spoke o. tho difficulties of asse
w. bling so large IA volunteer force, and named I
M LIST of September as the earliest practical
period Of offensive operations. In reply,
ro Secretary urged the importance of aa EARL
he commencement. lie thought tha, a force 81
III icient for active operations would be OF
he Rio Grande at an earlier day, and that the j.
nv cxpec atoms of the army, Of the people, and
nh the Executive, wond be disappointed by the {
od lay lie says:
~ With the view of securing this important {
~ ject, the most energetic measures had been
"' dop,ed. Every consideration Of economy a
IA duty forbade that the troops should, if thus C
ected, he permitted to remain inactive by 7,
PS son of the absence Of the general officer. wi
"c fully possessed of the views of the Executi,
was To direct their movements. "
ms lie expresses his surprise that the frank ,
led preston of these views should have been CT
nto strued by General Scott mo manlestati
IN, of unkind feeling, and concluded by saying, Il
under such circumstances,