Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1847-04-07

Below will he found the corr, spondence
between the President and Col Thomas n.
Benton, relative To The terms upon which
alone The lalier wculd accept the apploHi
ment Of Major General, which had been
rendered 10 him.
While we approve The decision Of Presi.
dent Polk believing that he could moi con
sistently, under existing laws, have arrived
At any other onclu ion-vet the correctness
Of Mir Benloa's views. the force Of his rea-
soning, and the purify Of his motives in de-
Ginning the appointment as rendered 10 him.
must be conceded by every unparalleled
mind
Letter from Mr.. Benton to the President
WARRINGTON, March Z, lS47.
SIR-Without waiting for the tormalty
Of beng presented with the commission OF
Major General IN the Army Of the United
States, think il right 10 inform YOU al once
that my acceptance OF refusal oil that high
appointment, will depend entirely upon the
public and national console ra,ions, OF which
you Yourself, will be the judge Personal.
Iy can have no wish for this Office; but If
you believe tina, | can be Of service 10 the
county. am wiIl'ng,o forego all private
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES myself from my
family, under painful circumstances; resign
my place in the Senate. which is SO dear to
me, and proceed Immediately to the theatre
OF war. My only stipulation would be for
the powers which ! deem necessary TO sue
cess; and these would be both military and
diploma,ic-ihe command OF The army AID
authority 10 sign prelfmnaries Of peace, ba
sed upon terms previously approved by you
beg you TO belieye, sir, that nothing sell
fish or personal dictates this proposed slipu-
lation. There is no such thing in it. |, pro-
coed, from thorough convection thai. with
subordinate command, could do no good
in the army-on the contrary. tina, my pre-
sence there would be improper and mis-
chievous; for am known from nv public
speeches, 10 disapprove the plans both Of
the la,e and the present COMMUNICATIVE
defensive policy OF The one and The San
Juan Uiloa attack OF the other; and this
being known. my presence would operate
as an implied censure on the two generals,
and might make me, in spite of myself, the
nucleus OF discomfort and insubordination
The command Of the army, therefore, is the
only military position could hold in it.
Authority TO conclude peace, or at Ieas,
10 sign The prelIminaries Of peace, / deem
highly essential 10 success, as il would ena-
Bile the commandment chief to take ins,an,
advantage Of all passing events, military or
political, TO close the war
Furnished with these powers, am will !
ling to make the sacrifices. and 10 incur the |
Of this high command; but | |
leave il 10 you, sir, for your free and final
decision, considering II as national ques
lion, and new one, on which there IS no |
on either side, in any thing |
that has passed.
Whatever may be the decision my thanks
and gratitude will no, be the Iess TO you for
your unsolicited nomination of me 10 this
high appointment. nor TO the Senate fer its
instant and unanimous confirmation of il,
nor to the House of Representatives, for its
three times virtual election Of me TO the
chief OF the army in Mexico.
Respectfully, sir. your friend and fellow
citizen, THOS. II. BENTON
To the President