Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1846-07-02
Gen. Scott and the President.


lion of the Senate has communicated the cor.
respondence between Gen. Scott and the War
Department with regard to the Army against
Mexico. From this correspondence, which our
limits will not permi, US to publish, we CLEAN
the following: Immediately after Congress
authorized the raising Of Volunteers, the presi-
dent verbally assigned the command TO Gen.
Scott, who Immediately devoted himself TO the
business of this department. Before these
preparations were completed, he was urged by
the Secretary Of War. contrary 10 previous ar
rangements, TO proceed Immediately to the Rio
Grande, and take the command, stating that
great dissatisfaction prevailed in high places in
consequence Of the delay Gen. Scott declined
supercedng Gen. Taylor in the command of
the Army of Occupation, bu, ready 10 take
command OF the new forces raised by order of
Congress, as soon as they could be mustered
into the field. Immediately after this de,ermi-
nation on the part Of Gen. Scott, the Secretary
of War ntrodut ed a Bill into The Senate author
izing the appointment Of TWO additional Major
Generals, and four Brigadier Generals. Gen.
Scott, supposing this movemen, to be an at.
tempt on the part Of the Administration 10 gel
rid of him, and with the characteristic Of an in
jured soldier, wrote a very sharp and hasty let
Ter to the Secretary Of War, in which he made
use Of The following language:
Against the ad captandum condemnation OF
all other persons, whoever may be designated
for the high command in question, there can be
no reliance Tin his absence) other than the ac-
tive, candid, and steady support of his govern
ment. If cannot have that sure basis TO res,
upon, it will be infinitely better for the country
mot to speak Of my personal security that some
other commander of the new army should be
selected No matter who he may be, he shall
a, least, be judged and supported by me, in this
office and everywhere else, as would desire,
if personally in ,ha. command, to be judged aud
supported.
My explicit, meaning is, ,ha. do not desire
TO place myself in the mos, perilous Of all po-
sitions-a fire upon my rear from Washington
and the fire in front from the Mericans.
1t was distinctly admitted, and laid down as
basis in the interviews l had the honor 10
hold with The Presden, and yourself upon the
subject, that a special army of some thirty
thousand troops, regulars. and twelve months
volunteers, would be necessary for the march
against, and the conquest Of peace in, Mexico
adhere to that opinion"
He also goes into the details and asserts lha
that number Of troops cannot be collected at the
various points TO invade Mexico much before
The first of September, and that i, is unnecessa
ry for him 10 assume the command of the Army
before ,ha, period, and winds up with the fol
lowing noble sentiments, which will meet will
hearty response in the heart of every pa'rio
in the country:
at is always unjust 10 junior General wht
has done WELL and is supposed TO be doing well
TO supercede him by General Of higher rank
without sending by the latter corresponding re
Inducements. should esteem myself the un
happy insirumen, of wounding the honorabl,
pride of the gallan, and judicious Taylor if or
dered TO supersede him under different circum
stances"
In another letter Gen. Scott says:
/ think my preliminary and necessary nc
cupaion may be ended here (say) three day
more, when-premising that after The grea, arr
brilliant victories of the gallant Taylor, (of whic
we have recently heard,) should be ashame
TO supercede him before the arrival of compe
ten, reinlorcemen,s to penetrate the interior o
Mexico, and 10 conquer peace shall b
ready for any instructions or orders with whc
the President may honor me-"
The President took umbrage al the letter G
Gen. Scott, and directed the Secretary Of Wa
TO say to him that he would be continued in hi
presen. position at Washington.
, The difficulty appears to have been create
, by an atiemp, on the part of The Adminstraiio
10 force Gen. Scott to supersede Cen TayIo
in the command of the Army of Occupation
, contrary to previous arrangements, agreed upo
by the Presiden, and Gen. Scott Whehe
Gen Scolt or the Administration is 10 blame
this business, is left for the people TO Judge.
Miners Journal