The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-09-14
LETTER FROM GEN TAYLOR

EN- FROM GEN TAYLOR.
The Locofocos of GAINESVILLE, Tennes-
see, having resolved, upon certain condi-
@tions to support General Taylor for Pfesi-
ident, directed their Chairman to ask the
General whether he was opposed to a Tar
if for Protection, with other questions, to
which the following reply was returned:
HEADQUARTERS Army OF OCCUPATION
CAMP NEAR MONTEREY, Mexico, 3
July 20, IS47.
DEAR Sir Il have the honor 10 ac-
knowledge the receipt of your esteemed
letter of the 10Th inst. which has just
reached me, accompanied by certain res
~olutlons entered into by a Democratic
meeting of my fellow citizens at CIarks-
vile, Tenn. on the 9TH of June last, in re-
lation to certain important matters and
principles connected with the management
of our national affairs, desiring to know
my views and opinions in regard to tho
same, as they might have an important
bearing on their course, should my name
be before the country as a candidate for
the Presidency at the coming election,
which must beg leave 10 decline doing,
for, even If disposed to do So, | cann't
spare the time from my official duties To
devote to the investigation ofthose subjects
which their importance seem TO require,
TO enable me 10 reply to them in way
that would be satisfactory to myself, much
less to your honorable committee.
must therefore say IN this instance,
what | have said 10 others on like occasion,
which is, that ] sm no politician near
forty years Of my life have been passed ia
the military service of the republic, most
ofwhich III the field, the camp, on our
v e ern frontier, or in the Indian terrific
ry, and may say with great propriety for
the most part constantly on duty, the last
two in Mexico or on its immediate borders,
during which time have not passed one
night under the roof of u house; you may
therefore very readily suppose, under such
circumstances, | have had but little to de-
vote to the consideration or investigation
of important political matters, or to their
discussion, nor have | attempted to do so.
: or been mixed up with political men or
: matters il. any way, not even having voted
for one of our Chief Magistrates, or any
one else, since | have been in the public
service, having been stationed or serving
for the most part beyond the limits of the
States.
can say in all sincerity that | have no
aspirations for the Presidency, and i'll am
a candidate, or to be one, it must be rec
objected l am or will be made so BY others,
ard by nc agency of mine in the matter
under this state Of things, should a majority
of the good people of our country think
proper to elevate me TO the first office i'll
their gift, or | may say the first in the
world, | will feel bound to serve them, 81
will do so honestly and faithfully to the
best of my abilities. strictly in conformity
to the provisions of the Constitution, as
near as possible in the way it was acted ON
and construed by our first Presidents, two
of whom al least participated in creating
and putting in operation that glorious in
slrument. But many important changes
in our affairs at home and abroad may take
place between this and the time for hold
ing the election for filling said office, so
much So, as to make it desirable for the
general good that some individual other
than myself should be selected as a candk
date for that station, and, could he be G.
lected, l will not say that ] would Weld
f my pretens:ons to that distinguished posi-
ton, for l have not the vanity to bell, 70
that / have any, but would not only ac-
qulesce with pleasure in such an arrange
ment, but would rejoice that the republic
had n citizen more worthy and better
qualified than l am, and no doubt there
are thousands, to discharge the arduous g.
important duties apertaining to that high
Office. Be this as ii may, should l ever
occupy the White House it must be by the
spontaneous move of the people, and by
no act of mine, so that / could enter on
the duties apertaining to the Chief Magis-
trate of the country untrammelled and IN
pledged beyond what | have previously
stated as regards the the Constitution,
so that | could aud would be the President
of a nation and not Of a party.
For the interest You Sand other kind
friends of the committee, and those they
and you represent, take in my continued
success against the enemy while the war
continues, which | sincerely hope will soon
be brought to an honorable close, as well
as fear for the too iattering manner you
have been pleased to connect my name
with the distinguished office in question.
and especially for the handsome and com-
Elementary manner in which they have
been communicated, are duly appreciated.
and for which I beg leave to tender to you.
and through you to the gentlemen Of the
committee. collectively and individually,
my most cordial thanks for the same.
With considerations ofthe highest re-
spect and esteem, | remain, gentlemen,
your obedient and devoted servant.
L. TAYLOR
Major General U. S. Army.
To DR.. c. L. Wilcox, and others ofthe
Committee.