Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-07-31
FOR THE NATIONAL INTELLIGEScER.


Messrs EDIroRs Among the extraordinary develop
mens of this unique Administrations the following which
copy from the Presbyterian HERALD Of the 18th instant
published at Louisville (Kenucky,) is perhaps the most
remarkable
Knowing the anxiety manifested by the President and Sc
cretary Of War at that time TO have Catholic chapans
company regular army in Mexcoone half of the rank
and file of which being members Of that church-and the
trouble which they took in sending to the Provincial Council
then sitting at Baltimore to forward their views
prsed nd in the paper referred to above that instead Of
chapiains, which the Council asked for, SPIES
cordng the Rev. Mr. McCALLA were what the President
wanted Now, sir, will not enter into defence either of the
reverend gentlemen who on their hazardous and holy
mission to Mexico which proved fatal to of them he
reverend Father REr) of the doctrines and opinions
their church, which have been assaed in the Presbyterian
Herald the latter would be foreign the columns of your
paper, and the survivor Mr. McELRor, is able to take
of his character and that of his late colleague But
know apart from every other circumstance connected with
this affair." that the President or any other person in the
country, had proposed such mission either Father McEL
Father REr, both of whom knew well and
ed with the day before leaving their college for the army he
would have received from them such rebuke as he would
be likely not to forget the rest Of his life.
will say whether the President has or has not been
guilty of what is attributed him by the Rev. Mr. McCALLA
this is question Of veracity for themselves settle but
s from my knowledge of what has transpred from the be-
ginning of this Administration to the present moment well
from close examination Of almost every public document
sent forth from the Executive mansion in relation the pre-
sent war, confess prepared hear and things still
extraordinary come from that place than what this pre-
cious bit of Presidential diplomacy informs the world Of
But to the questions and of p. A. BRowS and
the Rev. Mr.. McCALLA on this topic
/" Chdpkains in the Army
"Hon. PAUL A. BRowS, of Philadelphia, lately address
Hon. j. NJ McCALLA, late Of Lexington, (Ky and now Of
Washington =
"DEAR Sir earnestly but respectfully request you to
truly, canddy and fully the following questions
"lst Were you not recently applicant for the situation
Of chaplain in the American army now in Mexico
"2d. Had you personal interview with his Excellency
JAMES X. Polk that subject
3d Did the President tell you that when he appointed
two Catholic priests chapan he knew he had no right to
make any such appointment there such office with
in his gift but that he had appointed them capains nom-
naiiy, that they might become spies ?"
To these questions Mr. McCAIIA returned the following
laconc the conclusion of long letter reflect
ing severely the Catholic church, which has nothing 10 do
with the particular point under consideration for which rea
it is omitted
"My to your first question is was to your Sc
cond had TO your third, he did. Respectfully, yours,
"W. l.. McCALLA."
acer clear of foul piece of dupcy with the Rev. Mess
McELRor and REr the Rev. Mr.. McCALLa has charged
upon him time will tell ARIEL