Southern shield., 1847-01-09

J horrors! How could Mir. Sawyer oit!
 POTOMAC. INTERESTING FROM WASHINGTON. DESIGNS OF THE ADMINISTRATION IN RE-
 GARD TO THE MEXICAN WAR.
 The following letter to the Philadelphia North American, from its able and intel- gent Washington Correspondent will be read with interest
 The secret of some of the recent impCr- tant movements of the Administration and the motives by which they were influenced, are gradually being developed. shall not say in what way or through what source, other than the one is legitimate and the other reliable
 From the beginning this has been singu-
 lar administration "a conniving, intriguing, managing concern, made up of trading politicians, whose whole lives have been devoted 10 a tinkering traffic among parties, with little, if any other purpose than the, promotion of self at the expense of the public Hence, instead of presenting liber- al and enlarged views of statemanship to the country, ever since their entrance nto office, they have been engaged in gaihe of pander to popular prejudices, system of warfare upon those who happened 10 be greater favorites of the country than them selves, and wifuI misrepresentatio oi the men and measures of the Whig party. Time has demonstrated why Gen. Scott was originally refused the command of the invading army, as entitled by his rank and right Time has proven why Gen. Taylor was harassed at head quarters after the battles of the 8th and 9th of May; and time will soon show why, in the midst Cf his splendid success, the Administration has been suddenly seized with q paroXysm of 7HStlcc (J towards OcOIL NiUrG than uil this time will also satisfy the world, f the Executive adheres to his intention, that it is designed 10 supercede both Taylor and Scott with a new military star.
 And now for the opening of the last pc litical seals The Administration finding itself sorely embarrassed by the contnu- ance of the war, and meeting but indifier- ent sympathy from some of ifs professed friends, was reduced to the extremity of supplicating the advice and assistance of Col. Benton. IL was under his peremptory instruction that the nine regiments now re- cruiting were ordered into service, and he matured the plans of the campaign as now proposed 10 be carried on. The contem- plated attack on Vera Cruz formed also q part of the general design which he pro- posed, not for the approval, but for the ac- ton of the Administration.
 This brief but necessary outline, brings me to the development of the ultimate ob- ject of this decisive and comprehensive scheme. l desire to be understood as speaking of a purpose now seriously enter tained and debated by the governments Whether Mr. Polk will undertake its exc cution when he finds himself forestalled in the public mird by this announcement is more than l can venture to say
 Il is designed then to apply to Congress for the creation of an office of Lieutenant General, which is to be conferred upon the Hon. Thomas H. Benton. This rank, un- known to our service, but in Europe under stood, believe, to represent Majesty, will devolve upon him the supreme command and the plan of operations. After the talk ing of Vera Cruz, which is not doubted the three divisions of the army, from Tampico, Vera Cruz, and whatever point Gen Tay- lor's force will have reached, will be order ed to advance and concentrate on the city of Mexico. There assembled, the Lieutenant- General will assume the civil functions of Commissioner, authorized to propose terms of peace and to negotiate the basis of treaty.
 Such is the skeleton of plan to bring this war to close. Looking at it in every aspect, it appears to promise success, and if a political leader must be selected to conduct such a movement am free 10 say, believe, no man in his party will com mand more general favor with the Whig portion of the country, than he who is named But, without intending exception to Col. Benton, cannot regard it in any other light, than Encouragement to Gen Taylor He has done all the hard fighting thus far, and the attempt to eclipse the lus, ire of his laurels, by the selection of a party leader 10 close the war cannot be at tributed to any other motive than to coun- teract the effects of his popularity upon the political cause, with which he is well known to be identified These and like considera- tiofs, leave to the press to discuss, whose editors can find more leisure than have.
 TIE RIGHT TO sPEAK-Now that MT. Polk has demeaned himself enough to speak of us, who are denouncng his uncon