American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-06-10
WAR DEPARTMENT
Hon. w. l.. Nancy,
Secretary of War.

Sir: have received your letter of the 2lst
instant, and considering its extraordinary char
acteT, and The grave matters set forth therein,
rejecting upon the motives and objects OF The
President in rendering to you, as he has, i'll an
explicit manner, the Command of the forces
destined for the war against Mexico, ! deem
ed it to benny duty to lay it before him, and
10 take his direction in regard to its contents.
The passages in your letter which have ex-
cited his surprise and deep regret, are those
IN which you impule to the President, in terms
not inexplicit, III will towards yourself, or
pre-condemnaion, and course Of conduct on
his part which has already, as you allege, i'm.
Peded your labors appropriation and crippled
your energies.
A reference TO rRO or three paragraphs in
your letter will show that he isnot at liberty to
give different construction to your language.
You were, through me, and also at personal
interview with the President, made acgusint-
ed with his settled determination to put you in
immediate command of the forces to be EN-
pIoyed in carrying on the war with Mexico,
and you had, as you state, been deYoting your
time and attention, to preliminary and pre-
paratoGy arrangements. "In the midst Of these
mullitudinous and Indispensable occupations, "
tyou say,) 81 have learned from you that
much Impotence IS already felt, perhaps in
high quarters, that l have not already put my
self in route for the Rio Grande; and now,
with fourteen hours day preliminary work
remaining on my hands for many days, | find
myself compe led to stop that necessary work
10 guard myself against, perhaps, utter con
domination in the quarters allu led TO. I am
100 old soldier, and have had too much Spc.
ciGi experience, not to feel the infinite mpor-
lance Of securing myself against danger-(iIl
will, or precondemnaion) in my rear, before
advancing upon the public enemy. Not an
advantageous step can be taken in forward
march, without the confidence that all is well
behind. If insecure in that quarter, no gene
raj can put his whole heart and mind into the
work TO be done in front | am, therefore
not little alarmed nay, crippled in my en-
eTgies-by the knowledge OF the Impotence
IN question; 'and | beg 10 say fear no other
danger"
This language scarcely requires a comment
That it conveys the strongest suspiclon-no
TO say a direct imputaton of most unworthy
motives in the Executive government-of bsc
faith towards yourself-of a reckless dsre.
card of the interests of the country-of de.
sign TO carry on a war against you while yoL
are sent forth to cary on q war against the
public enemy, there can be, think no ques
lion. You must allow me to advert to the on,
" fact to which you allude as the foundation
for such grave imputatlons You haze learn
I'd, you say, from me that mach impotence /!
teH perhaps in high quarters, that you are not al
ready put in route for the Rio Grande, Sc
What was said on this point in our interview
when this subject was alluded TO, is not sc
fully stated as it ought to be, considering th,
purposes to which you have converted it,
You presented to me fully and clearly the
difficulties and delays which, in your opinion
would attend the assembling of the volunteers
on the Rio Grande, and, in conclusion, ex-
messed your belief that it could not be done
before the lst day of September next Their
alluded to The troops which were now hasten
ing to Gen. Taylor's standard, under his re
quisition--to the excited feelings of the coun-
try-to the patriotic ardor of those troops-tc
the disappointment which both they and the
country would feel, if an army of eight oil
ten thousand men were on the Rio Grande
comparatively inactive during their entire tour
Of service, which, beng limited to three
months, would terminate before the rerioG
named by you for the assembling of the vol
anteers on The Rio Grande. 1t was with spe
Gial reference 10 the employment Of the troop:
that would be on that frontier by the LIST day
of June, that | spoke OF what would De the
sentiments of the country, and OF the spirited
-
vice, and OF the expectations OF the Execu
1--WE apon this subject, | was well aware tina
the President was most anxious that the wal
should be prosecuted with promptness anC
yigor and that the brave and patriotic mer
VINO had been called out should have an OPP
portunlty to render their country active anl
effective service. knew, too, that the Presi-
dent confidently hoped and expected that a
large portion of the volunteers, authorized by
The ACT Of May 18Th, would arrive on the fIon.
tier in sufficient force for active operations be.
fore the lime which you indicated With The
view Of securing this important object, the
most energetic measures had been adopted -
Every consideration OF economy and duty Tor
bade that the troops should, if thus Ilected
he per!niited to remain inactive, by reason OF
the absence Of the general officer who, fulI'
nossessed OF the views OF the Executive, wa
10 direct heir movements.
7 did not deem it improper, indeed cot
sidered il matter Of duty, TO communicate 'e