The national whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1847, 1847-07-29

respecting Mr.. McCalla>S letter, and mat Mr.
Polk denies ever having told Mr.. McCalla thai
he had sent Messrs. McElroy and Rey TO
Mexico as spies. We shall see whether Mr..
McCalla will eat his words His brother is
Mr.. Folks Second Auditor
FATHERS REY AND McELROY, AND
THE PRESIDENT.
From The National Inteligencer.l
.Mesms. Editors Among the most extraordi.
nary developments Of this unique Administra-
ton, the following, which copy from The
" Presbyterian Herald" OF the 18th instant,
published at Louisville, Kentucky, is perhaps
the most remarkable.
Knowing the anxiety manifested by the Pre-
sidenl and Secretary Of. War at that time 10
have Catholic chaplains accompany our regu-
lar army in Mexico--one 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 Balti-
more, 10 forward their views, | was surprised
10 find, in the paper referred 10 above, that,
instead Of chaplains, which the Council were
asked for, "sPIEs," according 10 The Rev. Mr..
McCaiia, were what the President wanted.
Now, sir, will not enter into defence either
OF the reverend gentlemen who went on their
hazardous and holy mission to Mexico, which
proved fatal TO one Of them, (the reverend
Father Rey, nor Of the doctrines and opinions
of their church, which have been assailed in
the Presbyterian Herald, as the later would
be foreign to the columns of your paper, and
as the survivor. Mr.. McElroy, is able to take
care Of his own character and that Of his late
colleague, But know, apart from every other
circumstance connected with this affair, that il
the President, or any other person in The coun.
try, had proposed such mission 10 either
Father McElroy or Father Rey, both Of whom
knew well and conversed with The day before
leaving their college for the army, he would
have received from them such rebuke as he
would be likely not 10 forget the rest Of his life.
! will not say whether the President has or
has not been guilty Of what is attributed to him
by the Rev. Mr.. McCALLA this is question
Of veraejIy for themselves to settle; but, sirs.
from my knowledge Of what has lranspired
from the beginning Of this Administration 10
the present moment, as well as from close
examination OF almost every public document
sent forth from the Executive mansion in rela-
ton TO the present war, ! confess am prepar-
ed 10 hear and see things still more extraordi-
nary come from that place than what this pre-
cious Bit Of Presidential diplomacy informs the
world Of.
But 10 the questions and answers Of P. A.
Brown, and the Rev. Mr.. McCaa on this TO-
pic:
''Chapiains In the army.
Z "Hon. Paul A. Brown, of Philadelphia, lately ad.
dressed the following letter to Rev. w. L. McCaIla,
brother Of the Hon ]. M. McCaIla late Of Lexington,
(Ky.) and now Of Washington: ).
''DEAR SIRj J earnestly but respectfully request
you to answer truly, candldly and fully the follow
ing questions:
..ls. Were you not recently an applicant for the
situation of chaplain in the American army now in
Mexico.
"2d. Had you personal interview with his Ex-
cellency, James X Polk, on that subject
I'D. Did the President tell you that when be APP
pointed two Catholic priests chsplains he knew he
lad no right TO make any such sppoiR,ment as
there was no such office within his gift but that he
had appointed them chapiains nominuliy. hM they
might become spies ?"
To these questions Mr.. McCalla returned the
following laconic answers al the conclusion Of
a long leIler rejecting severely on The Catholic
church, which has nothing to do with the par
ticular point under consideration, for WHICH
reason il is omitted:
"My answer TO The FIRST question is, | was
10 your second, had; to your third, he did,
Respectfully, yours,
w. l.. McCALLA."
Whether the President himself will Tor not
wash his character clear Of SO foul piece Of
duplicily with The Rev. Msssrs. McElroy and
Rey as the Rev. Mr.. McCalla has charged upon
him time will tell. ARIEL.
snow Second Auditor Of the Treasury.