Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-07-17


The President approved the plan, and the Miss
sourians being most distant, orders we're des-
patched TO New Mexico, 10 put them in motion.
Mr.. Solomon Sublette carried the order, and
delivered It TO The commanding officer, at Santa
Fe, Col. Price, on the 23d day OF February
lust days before you fought the marvellous
battle OF Sacramento.
| well remember what passed between the
President and myself at the time he resolved
to give this order. II awakened his solici,ude
Tor your safety. Ii was to send small body Of
men great distance, into the heart OF a hos
tile country, and upon the contingency Of unit
ing in combined movement, the means for
which had not yet been obtained from Cons
| gress. Tho President made it question, and
very properly, whether it was safe, or prudent,
| to start the small Missouri column before the
movement Of the left centre was assured.
answered that my own rule in public affairs
was to do what thought was right, and leave
it with others TO do what they thought was
right, and that | believed it the proper course
for him TO follow on the present occasion. On
this view he acted He gave the order to 60,
without waiting to see whether Congress would
furnish the means Of executing the combined
plan, and, for his consolation, undertook 10
guaranty your safety. Let the worst come to
the worst, promised him, that you would take
care Of yourselves. Though the other parts of
The plan should fail-though you should be-
come far involved in the advance, and deeply
compromised in the enemy's country, and with
out suppor,-stlll I relied on your courage,
skill and enterprise TO extricate yourselves
from every danger; to make daylight through
all the Mexicans that should stand before you
cut your way ou,-and make good your re.
treat to Taylor's camp. This is what prom
Used the President in November last, and wha,
ll,, sal II Al Lac =.
little manuscript, volume (the duplicate is in
the hands of the Presidency from which will
read you a page to show you are the happy
soldiers who have done the will Of the governs
ment, without knowing its will.
"THE RIGHT WING-To be composed Of all
the disposable troops in New Mexco-to ad-
vance rapidly towards Zacateces, and to attain
position about on line with Gen. Taylor in
tine month Of March, and be ready for push
on the capitol. This column 10 move light
10 have no rear-to keep itself mounted from
horses in the country-and to join the centric
column, or cut its way out il the main object
fail "
This is what was proposed for you in the
month Of November last, and what pledged
myself to the President. that you would per-
form; and nobly have you redeemed the pledge.
But this was not the first, or The only time,
that pledged myself to you. As far back as
June, 1916, when seperate expedition TO Chi
huahua was first projected, told the President
that it was unnecessary-ihat the Missouri
troops under Gen. Kearny, would take that
place in addition to the conquest Of New Mexi>
co--and that he might order the column under
Gen. Wool TO defect TO the left and join Gen.
Taylor as soon as he pleased. Again: when
received letter rom Lieut. Col. Mitchell da.
ted in November last, and informing me that
. he iaoy To M,
open a communication with Gen. Wool, read
that letter to the President, and told him that
they would do it, And again: when we heard
that Col. Doniphan, with thousand men. az.
ter CURLING the Navahos, was turning down to-
wards the south, and threatening the ancient
capitol OF the Captains General Of the Internal
Provinces, | told him they would take il. In
short my confidence in Missouri enterprise,
courage and SKILL was boundless. My promi-
ses were boundess. Your performance has
been boundless. And now let boundless honor
and joy salute, as it does, your return to the
soil of your stale, and TO the bosoms Of your
families.
In response to this address, Col. Doni-
phan said:
FELLOW. CITIZENS | return you, on behalf Of
my command, our most heartfelt thanks for the
distinguished reception which we have this day re.
ceved at your hands. Such reception entities
you to our warmest gratitude. and is deeply felt
by those 10 whom it is extended. The honor
conferred is greatly enhanced by the considera-
ton Of the medium through which it is presented.
No selfish considerations could, we are satisfied,
have induced the honorable Senator TO have pass
ed this ha!tering eulogy upon US. The part which
he has taken here to day, can add nothing to his
fame. From an early day, his history has been
identified with the history OF the State OF Mis-
souri, and feeling OF State pride has induced
him 10 give favorable consideration to the ser.
vices rendered by the volunteers OF Missouri
To him. and yourselves again return Our warm
est thanks. The minute description given by the
orator OF scenes through which we have passed,
has excited our wonder. Indeed, so correct and
minute are his details, that they resemble history.
} and might almost say that they have become
part OF history.
The few brief remarks which shall make to
YOU fellow citizens, will OF necessity. be discon-
nected Man seldom speaks OF himself, without
vanity; and it is habit in which do not often
indulge. Officers OF the regular army. whoss
! lives are devoted to their country, may, by their
prowess-by their long continuance in the ser.
vice, obtain promotion. The ladder Of Fame is
before them; and, by their deeds Of chivalry. they
may at length reach the topmost round. Not so
with volunteers. They only enlist for limited
period, at the call Of their country in her ensr-
gency; and then return, 10 mingle with their
friends. The only reward that awaits volun-
teer is the gratitude, and warm reception, and
=, honor OF his fellow. citizens. II our services
have meri.ed honor, then we have been more than