The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-07-29
The Mission Of EIr. Trist.

The Mission Of Mr.. LTlst.
Thore has very MISUNDERSTANDING the
mystery which has been affected concerning
it-been much speculation on the part oil our
Gentemnoraries and their correspondents III
regard to the mission Of Mr.. 1rIst TO MEXICO
The particular object OF hat mlSSion' anu Ule
character and extent OF the1poWerS colleIleH
N ~. Trist, are contradictory represented,
0uon bv those supposed to be best acquainted
viii The purposes Of the Administration
Nor is the actual ground of a controversy, II
not 6irect collision of authority, between that
1cnfleman and Major General Scott Com
EIoandinr the Army, much more distinctly
known or surmiScd.
Oac account represents Mr. Irlst rs beng
clothed with authority to control the conduct
Of she Campaign, under the distinguished vet
oron who commands. This can hardly be
TI,r,, in any sense. Gen. Scott, i'll the field
is undoubtedly subject to the orders OF the
President of the United States but he cam
not be subjected to the orders OF any person
of inferior authority, whether Military or Civ
Il The President cannot delegate to the
Chief Clerk of the Department OF State the
nownr to direct the operations of a Military
Ennnandcr placed in the field by order OF
t5o C~ommander-in, Chief of the Army and
Nav If the United States. To suppose, in
deed. that to this subordinate officer IN the
Government a discretionary power has been
condded to direct the operations oil the Army
in the field, is to suppose that the Preslden'
has thouohti it necessary to establish q SurreI-
lance over the Commander Of the Army a
snnposition derosatory equally to the IresI-
dent and to the General.
Iii formally suggested however by Il writer
IA the Boston Post, that Mr.. TriSt has been
clotboI with a Diplomatic Commission, OF
some sort, under the following appropriation
contained in the Civil Appropriation ACT,
Dasscd at the close oftho late session OF Con-
p "Fiftv thousand dollars for the renewal Of
diplonaiic intercourse with Mexico, with q
view to tho termination of hoStilities, in the
event that the Government of that Republic
shall consent to enter upon negotiation:
The term "colseAt' is said to authorize
tho proposition of ne negotiation by the United
States; and Mr.. TriSt is said to be deputed
to the Headquarters OF our Army to max
this proposition. We hardly think that this
would be carrying out the purpose OF the e!P'
rrooriation. Nagotiqtion implies the exercise
Of free will by both parties. Such negotIA
ton cannot be carried on at the point OF the
baYOnGt. lnCrc NluSL HtS5 OC SuoPSloi'i
arms; which can only be arranged, as 1t APP
nears to us, between the Commanders Of tht
armies OF the two belligerent5. After sucl
.sraponsion, Diplomatic Agents intervene
but it woulI seem strangely dlstrustful e,the'
OF tho abilities or the disposition OF Gen
Scott, if, in SO critical an emergency, the IN
tgrpositioa Of MIR. Trist as negotiator on on
mart were intended. We do not indeed Sc,
how, under the act Of Congress above Cite,
amy diplomatic appointment could be ma';
Ly the President until " the event which
contemp,ates-that is TO say, the consent
Mexico to enter upon negotiation shall hav
>oGClrrGl. =
No such event has occurred, so far as tn
Public is informed. The case, Therefore
would seem not to have arisen in which TIL
appropriation could take effect.
We shall heartily rejoice, however, to TN
that all the proceedings of the Executive
the premises hayo been lawful, as we'll rs j
,Icious, and most thankful for the news, con
when itmay, Of a suspension of hostiIitles, a a
whomsocyer brought about,-Nat'o"1s l'tsH
geHcer.