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

this important object the energetic measures had
been adopted. Every consideration ofeconomy and duty
forbade that the troops should f thus collected be per-
mtted remain inariive by of the absence Of
the general officer who, fully possessed Of the views OF
the Executive, to direct their movements
did not deem IL improper, indeed consider IL
] Of duty, TO communicate the general, whom the
President had freely confIed the management Of the war
his views and expectations upon this point That this
communication. made in the manner il was, should
have been kindly received surprising me but vastly
is the fac hat IL should be made the basis The
offensive jmpuiatops against The executive govern
ment which had ysfunsrly selected you conduct our
army. and determined put your disposal the ampes,
It could eompando insure victory, and bring
the war to a successful and speedy termination
II also matter Of unfeigned surprise me- that
you should have attributed the President the intention
Of opening FIRE upon your rear. while fire in front
opened upon you BY the enemy On what foundation
could such assumption rest Had not the President.
in frank and friendly spirit just intrused you with
command Which the glory and interest Of the country
depended 10 say notbing Of the Of his own
administration Hovs could you, under these eircum-
energies TO be crippled Tor the purpose Of ndagng in
iberal mputstions against the who had bestowed
upon you the highest mark Of bis confidence
Eotertaining. il is most evident you do the opinion
that such the motives and designs OF the Executive
towards yoe and declaring Il TO be your explicit meaning
that do not desire to place yourself in the
perIous Of eli positions" fire npon your rear from
Warrington. and the fire IN front from The .Mericans"
1
the shadow Of justification, the President wouH be ,oant
ing in his duty 10 the country il he tcere TO pers;s in
ms determination Of importing you the command of
the army in the tcar against Meeo. He wou probably
misunderstood the object you had in view in writing your
letter. and dissppont expectations, If he did be-
ieve that il intended to ect change his purpose
in this respect am therefore directed 6y him 10 say
thai you will be continued your present position here
and viii derOfe your forts in making arrans and
preparations for the early and vgoroas prosecution of
| hosfi iusf. NJ
have the honor to be- very respectfully. your obeden
servant. w. l.. MARCY,
Major General WINFIELD scorr;
Commanding General, &c.
| HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARxr
| Washington, May IS, 1916,
SIN; Your letter of this date, received at about g. p
NJ, as sat down to take hasy plate Of soup demand.
prompt reply.
Yon have taken four days reflect and 10 convict me
upon my letter you of the els, instant Of official per.
hsps personal disrespect to the constitutional commander
in-chief Of the army and navy of the United States
II you have succeeded in imparnC. - impression to
the President then. hy - ca sur letter.
written in his behalf, am placed Is obligs.
tons to his msgnanimity -may d Kindness:
in not placing me instantly in a before gene
raj court-martia. may then hope that the President
such intended disrespect; and I can assure YOU
both that feel too great Difference to the constitution
and the laws Of my country to offer design ndg-
! nifty 20 chief magistrate.
The strongest passages in my condemned letter are
think hypothetical In il. | spoke Of J" impotence ~
"perhsps in high quarters Of perhaps condem-
nation in the quarters alluded 10 !; of the infinite
Importance Of securing myself against danger (lwiIl
prc-eondemnation) in my rear" and Of that peril
Gus Of all positions TO any commander-"s FIRE upon
[hs from Washington and the FIRE front from the
Mexicans." And also spoke Of the necessity Of the
active candid and steady support Of (sueh cOmmander
government" in the hope If concilatIng il.
Now, if there be any offence to the Presii 49,
passages-tbe intention Of committing viii
dsclsm-it in candor. be found in the meaning
the passages "hgh quarters and the quarters alluded
to-" which qualify oil the others quoted BY you.
1t will be perceived that spoke not of the highest
quarter, but. in the plural, high quaters and beg
act OF justice less to myself than the President
to say meant impotence" and pre-condemna.
tion" on your part, and the known open and violent
condemnation of the part Of several leading and
supposed condan,s of the President in the
Congress, (high qusrte,s) because. intmaon-not
order-I did fly to the Rio Grande. without waiting
for the invading army to be rased-nay abandoning
to get the river could and without the least re.
gard the honorable pride and distinction Of the gallant
general already 10 command that river who know
had done well, doing well, and who, quite sure
and his little army would If the occasion offered cover
themselves with glory My prediction, in this respect
| has been fully accomplished
But that did fear and meant TO express the fear in nv
hasty letter OF the 2s that those persons here
rated would later impart their condemnation
Of to the President, will deny. My letter
written part guard both the President and my
against such result which would have been fatal not
only me- but perhaps, for csnpsign the service
of the country. Hence the details entered into 70
the President and the Secretary of War-neilher,<
e professionally experienced in the technical pr
ries Of a csmpaign-what ID been, and what wouf
tinue for dsys-my ncessant occupations There
is special pleading in this explanation. II is written
and offered in good faith proof of which beg refer
my letter to you Of this date sent in three hours beo,
the reception Of that to which am now replying.
You speak of my interview with the President on the
subject of the intended formidable invasion Of Mexico
wish had time TO do justice 10 my recollection OF The
Presidents excellent sense military comprehension pa
thence and courteses in these interviews have sine,
often spoken OF the admirable qualities he displayed
those occasions. with honor far it in my powe
TO do him honor.
Il And to you sir allow to say have accused yol
and do to you Of set purpose dis
credit the commander at first designed for the
army that IL to invade Mexico ] bear in mind wild
pleasure, the many personal courteses that have fo
long years received your hands, But have for man,
days believed that you have allowed yourself be inu
enced against by the clamor Of Of the friends
:, whom have alluded To that source and from no i'll
will of your own, have feared that you had not mad
and not likely to make. thedst and easy eIpsna
tons in my behalf which might be made You ais
Of other Of uneasiness have against tn
depsrmentof the want Of that confidence and supper
necessary TO my official posiiion-wheiher here or on
Rio Grande. have heretofore explained myself thes
e points, which render repetition unnecessary.
n Whether il shall b. the pleasure OF the President
is send the Rio Grande (Which would prefer)
retain me here, can.ony say: am equally ready to
my duty in either position, with ell my zos and oil m
. ability. @
10 great haste. have the honor remain. your
: obedient servant, WINFIELD SCOTT.
I'll Hon. w. L. Manor, Secretary of War.
!, Wan DEFARTMEsr, May Goth, 1876.
e-1 Sm:-Your letter of yesterday, although Jeff
l. house last evening" received by until IN
" morning. Though much Of the time between II
he If