Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-08-19
THE ADMINISTRATION AND
GEN. SCOTT.

The Washington Union of the Cd contained
the following:
We have seen letter from Vera Cruz, dated
on the 10th of July, addressed to this city. II
states that Gen. Pierce would leave Vera Cruz
on that evening. A foreign merchant had in
formed the writer that an express had just arriv
Cd but had lost every letter on the way, with the
exception of a small one from Pnebla, dated the
18th instant, which states that General Scott had
now 1000 men with him; that Tornel is at
San Martin and That General Scot is for push
ing on 10 The city but that Nh. IriSt is disposed 10
1CdH until he has seen The commissioners Abort
800 troops of Louisiana volunteers came into
the city on the evening of the 18th from the
camp, to remain which makes about 500 etiec-
tive men, but we daily hope, says the writer, to
receive more. The city is not near as sckly
as it was, AID it is thought that we shall have
but little more this season. The Collector has
paid over to the train between 100000 and $70,-
600 in cash, and sight drafts on Puebla from his
department
Upon which the Boston Atlas remarks thus
The appointment of Mr.. Trist by the U. s..
Government appears TO have but one object in
view, TO eubarrass the movements OF General
Scott 1t was only few days ago that the I'm
ion contained sort Of ministerial censure upon
that officer, because he had delayed, after the
battle OF Cerro Gordo, forwarding TO the Next
can authorities propositions tor peace. NOW
we are informed through the same medium that
he is disposed to march immediately upon the
the city of Mexico, but Mr.. Trlst is disposed to
wait. We should like to understand fully the
character of Mr.. Trist's powers. Has he author
ity to control, in any manner, the movements OF
the army, or TO usurp the authority of General
Scott? During the early period Of the French
Revolution, about the time Of the "Relgn OF
Terror it was a practice with the worthless then
in power to have present, in the camp, several
Representatives Of the people," persons holding
no military character or rank, but acting as hon
orable spies for the Government at Paris. AT
the memorable siege of Toulon, where Napoleon
as commander of the Artillery, first exhibited
his wonderful skill in the science of war, the
interference of these Representatives OF the
people, says historian, "was productive of de-
lays, plumbers and mslortunes'
We are not disposed to underrate the abilities
OF Mr.. Trist, or to question his capacity to make
treaty Of peace with Mexico, ,ohenerer he can
find any man, or body Of men, with whom to treat
but we consider the appointment of him at this
time, to be ill-advlsed and unnecessary, partak-
ing of the character of the French representa-
tives of the peope,"-an honorable spy upon
the action Of General Scott, for the Government
at Washington. His presence at the camp OF
General Scot-hs known intimacy with the
President and Cabinet-both show this, and can
not fail TO beget, on both sides, dstrust and jeal-
ousy, and to create embarrassments and difficult
ties innumerable.
Gen. Scott, whenever he has been entrusted
with power by his Government, has faithfully
and with marked ability, discharged his duty
His present position and former services entltlt
him to take the lead in matters Of which MIR
Trst appears to have the sole control, and above
all, he should be free from embarrassment
touching the movements of the army, and lett tt
act as his judgment determines. We have ne
doubt that the appointment of Mr. Trst to In
present post was designed by Mr.. Polk to EN-
barrass General Scott, to deprive him of the
chance which his position rightly gave him, o
adding to his already exalted fame, that OF pacl
fcator of Mexico. Among other matters whc
the next Congress will have to investigate, nc
the least interesting and important will be TIL
secret mission of Mr.. Trist. The people si!oul
know the reasons why the appointment was made
and what are its objects.