Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-07-10
THE MISSION OF Mn. TRIST.

The MISSION UF Mn. IRlSI.
There has very turally-considering the mys-
terry which has been affected concerning it-been
much speculation on the part Of our contemporaries
and their correspondents in regard to the mission
of Mr.. TRIsr to Mexico. The particular object of
that mission and the character and extent of the
powers conferred on Mr.. TRsT, are contradictorily
represented, even by those supposed to be best ac-
quanted with the purposes of the Administration.
Nor is the actual ground of a controversy, if not
direct collision Of authority, between that gentleman
and Major General ScoTT, Commanding the Army,
much more distinctly known or surmised.
One account represents Mr.. TRIsT as being cloth
ed with authority TO control the conduct Of the
Campaign, under the distinguished veteran who
commands. This can hardly be true, in any sense.
Gen. ScoTT, in the field is undoubtedly subject TO
the orders of the President of the United States ;
but he cannot be subjected to the orders of any per-
son of inferior authority, whether Military or Civil
The President cannot delegate to the Chief Clerk
of the Department of State the power direct the
operations of Military Commander placed in the
field by order of the Commander Chief of the
Army and Navy of the United States. To suppose
indeed that TO this subordinate officer in the Gov
eminent discretionary power has been confded
to direct the operations of the Army in the field is
to suppose that the President has thought il
sary 10 establish Surveillance over the Comman-
der Of the Army supposition derogatory equally
10 the President and to the General.
Il is formally suggested, however, by writer in
The Boston Post, that Mr.. TRIsT has been clothed
with Diplomatic Commission, of some sort, under
fhe following appropriation contained in the Civil
Appropriation act, passed at the close Of the late
session of Congress
Fifty thousand dollars for the renewal Of diplomatic in
tercourse with Mexico with view the termination Of
hostiie in the that the Government Of that Repub
lie shall consent TO enter upon negotiation"
The term "consent is said to authorize the
proposition OF negotiation by the United States
and Mr.. TRIsT is said to be deputed to the Head
quarters of our Army TO make this proposition. We
hardly think that this would be carrying out the
purpose Of the appropriation. Negotiation implies
the exercise Of free will by both parties. Such
negotiation cannot be carried on at the point of the
bayonet. There must first be suspension of arms
which can only be arranged, it appears to us, be-
belligerents. After such suspension, Diplomatic
Agents intervene but it would seem strangely dis
trustful either of the abilities or the disposition Of
Gen. ScoTT, if, in so critical an emergency the in
terposition of Mr.. TRrsT negotiator on our part
were intended. We do not indeed see how, under
the act Of Congress above cited any diplomatic
appointment could be made by the President until
" the event which it contemplates-that is to say,
The consent of Mexico to enter upon negotiation
shall have occurred.
No such event has occurred, so far as the Public
is informed The case, therefore, would seem not
10 have arisen in which that appropriation could
take effect.
We shall heartily rejoice, however, to find that
all the proceedings of the Executive in the premises
have been lawful, as well as judicious, and most
thankful for the news, come when it may, of sus-
pension ofhosttes, by whomsoever brought about.
The PRESIDENT of the United States, accompa-
MED by Mr.. Attorney General CLIFFORD. returned
10 this city on Wednesday evening last.
Mr.. Secretary BUCHANAN has returned since.
All the members Of the Cabinet are, it is believ-
ed, now at their posts.
BosroS RlrLRo.DThe Traveller says there proba
bly, twenty thousand persons who left Boston Monday night
after the fireworks in the railroad trains So carefully and dis
ceetly these crowded trains managed however, that
far we have been able learn, accident occurred
N