State journal & flag., 1846-06-19
VOLUME B.
Correspondence between the Sec
 reiary of War and Gen. Scott.

.ject of the lAter taking the command of the
 army on ls Rio Grande, is published in the
 Union oflhe 6th, and whilst it places the
 franknes, and decision of MT. Polk in
 bold lieat before the public, it, unfortunately,
 disclees the weakness, and egotism, of
 Gen Scott, who seems to have been more intnt on calculating the means of political promotion at Washington, than the plan of oHensive action against the public enc. my.
 The correspondence covers several co. lumns in the Union, and as our. space is al. ready limited, We can do nothing more than -prese mt 10 our readers its mater ial parts.
 In reply to the resolution of the Senae of the 9th inst, the President submitted message on the sh, Tn which he says:
 son the same day on winch approved and signed the act the 9th ofMay, 1846, entitled "An act providing for the. prosecution of the ex- isting war between the United States and the Republic of Mexco.' communicated to Gen erat Scott, through the Secretary of War, and also in personal interview with that officer, my desire that he should take command of the army on the Rio Grande. and f the volunteer forces, which informed him, il was my inten- tion forthwith to call out to march to that from tier, to be employed in the prosecution of the war against Mexico. The tender of the con mand to General Scott was voluntary on my part, and vas made without any request or int nation on the subject from him. It was made Tn consideration of hls rank as commander-in- chief of the army. My communications with General Scott assigning him the command were verbal, first through the Secretary of War, and afterwards in person. No written order was deemed to be necessary. General Sec assent ed 70 assume the command, and on the following day had another interview with hm and the Secretary of War; in relation to the number and apportlonment among the several Stctes, of the volunteer forces to be called out for immediate service; the forces which were 10 be organized and held in readiness subject to future call should it become necessary; and other military preparations and movements 10 be made with a view to the vigorous prosecution of the war It was distinctly settled and was well understood by General Scott. that he was to command the army in the war aga'nst Mexico, and so contin. ued to be settled and understood, without any other intention on my part, until the Secretary
 
 addressed to him under date of the Fist of May. lS46, copy (which IS herewith communica. ted. The character of tbat letter, made 1t pro. per in my judgement to change my determrna. ton in regard to the command ot the army {; and the Secretary of War by my direction, in his lettes of the 25th Of May, IS46, a copy of which Is also herewith communicated, for thc reasons therein assigned, informed General Scott that he was relieved from the command of the army, destined to prosecute the war against Mexico, and that he would remain in the dls- charge of his duties at Washington. The com mand of the army on ihe frontier of Mexico has since been assigned 10 General Taylor with his brevet rank fmojor-general, recently conferred npon hIm."
 In reply to a note from the President, Mr. Secretary Marcey, under date of the Sth inst, says:
 "* About the time the law re- cognising the existence of a war between the United States and Mexico, and authorizing ,iIe raising volunteer force of 5t,000 men was passed had conversation with Major Gener- al Scott, atd, by your direction, informed him that you intended to put the arr,y, designed to operate against Mexico, under his immediate command, and invited him. as you requested me to do 10 call on you for the purpose of re- ceiting yoIr views and instructions. Ar in- terview between yourself and him, at which was present, shortly after took place, when you announced to him your determination to assign him to the command of the army in the war against Mexico. The order and instructions 10 him were verbal, and am not aware that they have been reiterated in writing. He immedl. atey entered upon the necessary arrangements to carry into effect your views and instructions, and, down to the present time, has been assid- uously engaged in the duties of his office. In terviews and consultations between him and myself, often at my particular instance, have very frequently taken place in regard to arrange. ments and preparations for carrying on the war. When first communical ed to him your ia ntention to place him in the com nand of the army, he replied, that he should neither decline nor solicit that service; but at once on receiving your verbal order, entered readily into the pre- paratory measures to carry them into effect I am not aware that he claimed s'that command as due to him from his rank in the army" or ex- pressed any wish to be assigned to 1t, until hls preference was intmated in his letter of the 25h ultimo, in reply to mine of the same date, and his claim set forth iB that of the 27th, both which are among the papers herewith submits ted. His wishes in this respect have not been made known to me, further than they are ex pressed in these two letters. had no intima- tion whatever that you inteneed 10 change, or thought ofreconsidering the orders to General Scott, committing to him the command of the army to operate against Mexico, until had sub- mitted to you his letter to me of the 2lst ultimo Alter your examination of that letter received your direction, changing your previous orders, and communicated it to him in my letter of the 25th of May"
 The letter of Gen. Scott, referred to by the President, and Secretary of War, is mainly devoted 10 his plan of operations, and the preleminary measures he had taken to carry the orders he had received into eff. fleet. After stating that these preleminary "matters are respectively settled, he says
 "Tn the midst of these mutitudinous and indis- pensable occupations l have learned from you that much impatience is already felt, perhaps in high quartars, that have not already put myself in route for the Rio Grande and now, with fourteen hours day of preliminary work re. maining on my hands for many days, find myself compelled to stop that necessary work to guard myself against, perhaps, utter condemna- tion in the quarters alluded to. am too old soldier, and have had too much speclal expert cnce, not to feel the infinite importance of secu. ring, myself against danger Gill will or pre- con demnationo in my rear he fore adv ancinu nnon