Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-06-12
NOND VA, FRIDAY MORNING, JUNE -, 1916.


both that feel too sreata Difference 10 the cons,i-
tuition and the laws OF my country TO offer or de-
sign an indignity TO our chic! magistrate
The strongest passages in my condemned letter
patience"-"perhaps in high quarters" Of 'per-
haps, utter condemnation, in the quarters alluded
to- the "nfnite importance OF securing myself
against danger, (M-wM or, pre-eondcmnati0nl) in
my rear" and Of that "mosl perilous OF all posi-
tons" 10 any commander-"a fire upon his rear
from Washington, and a fire in front from the
Mexieans." And also spoke Of the necessi-
" OF "iho active candid, and steady support OF
(such eommanders) governments" in the hope OF
concilialing il.
Now, if there e any offence to the President in
these passases-the intention Of committing
which | utterly disclaim-it must, in candor, be
found in the meaning OF The passages "hish
quarters and the quarters alluded TO-" which
qualify all The Others quoted by you.
II will be perceived that | spoke not OF the
highest quarter, but in the plural, thigh quarters"
and beg as an act of justice, no less 10 myself
than the President, 10 say, meant "impatence,"
and even 'pre-condemnalion," on your part, and
the known, open, and violent condemnation of
me on The part OF several leading and supposed
confiahts OF The President in The two houses OF
SohSiess, (niSh quarters uecause, ON du lhtiLid-
| tiun-Eot an order-I did not ny 10 The Rio
Gsande, without waiting tor The invading army,
| yet TO be rased-nay, abandoning il 10 getto that
! river as j! could and without the least regard 10
The honorable pride and distinction Of the gallant
| general already in command on that river; who,
We knew, had done well, was doing well, and
who, was 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 my hasty letter of the 3lst that those
persons here enumerated would, sooner or later,
impart their precOndemnalion OF me 10 the P!esi-
| dent, will not deny hy letter was written, in
part, 10 guard beth the President and myself
| against such result, which would have been IA
I tai, not only 10 me, but perhaps, for campaign,
10 The service otihe country. Hence the dea lis
| | entered into TO show tie President and tie Sec
rotary of WaI-nei,hcr supposed 10 be profession
ally experienced in he technical pIcliminaries
Of a campaisn-what had been, AMI wha, would
continue Tor some days-my lrcessant occupa-
lions There is no special pleading in this eI-
PLANTATION. Ills wr,ties and offered in good faith;
in proof of which beg 10 refer TO my letter 10
you Of this date, sent in three hours before
| the reception OF that 10 which | am BOW reply
Ing.
You speak OF my interview with The President
on the subject OF tho intended formidable inva-
sion OF Mexico. | wish had the time 10 do JUS
cc 10 my recollection OF the Presidents excellent
sense military comprehension, patience, and
couiesies in these interviews. | have since Of
ten spoken Of the admirable qualities be display
ed Oh those occasions, with honor, as far as il
was in my rover 10 10 him honor.
And 10 you, sir, allow me 10 say | have not
accused you and do not mean 10 accuse you OF
a set purpose 10 dscredt NE as the comma nder
al first designed for the new army that is 10 in
wade Mexico. | bear ia mind with pie sure the
many personal couriesies that | have, for long
years, received at your hands. Bul have for
many days believed that you have allowed your
self TO be influenced against me by the canor of
some OF the friends 10 whom have alluded To
that source, and from no ill-wi OF your own,
have feared that you had not made, and were
not likely 10 make the just and easy explana-
lions in my behalf which might be made. You
are also aware Of ohe. causes OF uGeasiness !
have agains the Dep. rtmeni--of the want oiIhai
confidence and support necessary TO my official
posun-whciher here or on the Rio Granis. |
have heretofore explained myself OH ihess points,
which renders repetition unnecessary.
Whether it shall be the pleasure Of the Prssi-
! den, 10 send me 10 the Rio Grande, (Which
would ptsier,) or 10 retain me hare, can only
say, am equally ready 10 do my duly in ei,her
position with all my zeal and all my ability.
In great haste, | have the honor 10 remain,
Your most obedienl servant,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
Hon. w. L. MARCY, Secretary oil War.
WAa DEPARTMENT, May &c, 1916.
STs Your Letter Of yesterday, although left al
my house last evening, was not received hy me
until this morning. Though not much OF the
time between the da'c OF yours OF The 2!s, and OF
nv reply of Yesterday was devoted 10 The subject,
yet il was, as justice 10 yon requires! il should be,
we'll considered, and the construction reluctantly
given 10 your letter, was such, and only such, as
your language seemed 10 me 10 render uuavoid-
able. As you now explain that letter, the suspi-
cions or npuslons Of sill will '"precondemna.
tion," &C., were net intended byyoa to be applied
to tie President but in some measure TO myself
There is nothing in that letter which warrants
this particular appicatop,-theTs was nothing in
our intercourse, and certainly nothing in the stale
of my feelings which could lead even 10 a con-
lecture that such an application was designed.
You canno, recur with more pleasure than | do
The "maDy personal couElesies" between US for
"long years." and was unconscious that The
kindly feelings in which they had their origin had
undergone any chanse-ca ny parl, they GER
iainly mad not. Ihad hoped that your knowledge
Of my character was such as 10 place me- in your
opinion beyond The suspicion or apprehension
WHICH you scCIu W UdgC ludl L MAS I'd
pable OF being influenced ard controlled in my
offica conduct towards you by uniounded clamor,
even should il come from ''leading and supposed
coniiants Of the President in the TWO houses OF
Congress-" As you "have not accused" and as
sou declare "do not mean TO accuse me OF q SET
purpose 10 diScreait YOU as the commander" &C.,
but only fear the effects OF sinister influences,
submit toyour judgment whether il was not due TO
our personal and official relations that you
should have been more explicit-lha you should
have stated the circumstances which had excited
your approximations, and til reby opened the way
10 correct The rash conclusion you have adopted,
shat CD had allowed myselD 10 be influenced by
the clarnor al some oil the friends 10 whom (you)
have alluded"
You state that ain "awals OF ether causes Of
uneasiness" Cyou) "have against the department;
of the want Of that confidence and support ne
cessary 10 (your) official position whether here
or on The Ris Grande." must say, that am
wholly ignorant OF any just cause for uneasnsss
on your part and am very sure you have no
ground whatever TO sustain The allegation OF a
want Of that on6dencs and support necessary 10
your "oificial position" The matters or rather
matter TO which you probably allude, (for can
recollecl but one,) and which has been made the
subject Of falkland hoped-satsiacory ex-
PLANTATION was OF minor importance, OF too slight
a character, 10 disturb our friendly Intercourse, or
influence in the smallest degree our official rela-
tons
have the honor 10 be, very respectfully, yeur
obfdient servant, w. l.. MARCY.
Major General WINFIELD ScoTT,
Commanding General, &c, &c.
HEADouiRTfss or TEE Army
Washington, May 81, 1916.
Sir: had the honor 10 receive your letter OF
yesterday, a. my office, about9 o'clock at night.
As you do not say that yeu had shewn my ex-
planatory note 10 you OF the previous night May
25, 10 The President, may beg you TO lay the fair
copy (herewith) before him In this copy have