Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-10-14
LETTER FROM GEN. TAYLOR.

i The National intelligencer Of Tuesday las
publishes the following very interesting e,tel
recently received by DR. Bronson from Gen
Taylor. Itisimore explicit, in reference 10 The
political predictions Of the General, than an,
thing which has yer appeared from bis pen,
and VIII be read with pleasure by the Wings
Throughout the Union--bv those who. like
ourselves, have deemed ii '.premature" to com.
init themselves to his supper; for the next Pre-
sideney, as well as BY those, more ardent and
more sagacious, who have long since hoisted
his flag:
HEADquARrERs Army OF Occup.rros.
Camp near Monterey, Aug. 10, Is47' {
Sir: Your letter OF the 18th ut.. requesting
OF me an exposition o. my views on the oues,
tons of national policy now at issue between
the political parties Of the United States, has
duly reached me.
1 must take occasion to say that many OF
my letters, addressed to gentlemen in The Uni
/ ted States IN answer to similar inquiries, have
already been made public, and had greatly
hoped that all persons interested had, BY this
time, obtained from them sufficiently accu.
rate knowledge of my views and desires in re.
lation TO this subject. As it appears, however
that such is not the case, deem il proper, in
reply TO your letter, distinctly TO repeat that
am not before the People of the United States
as candidate for the next Presidency. Ii is
my great desire 10 return at the close of this
war to the discharge Of those professional du-
ties and TO the enjoyment of those domestic
pursuits from which was called at its COM
mencement, and for which my tastes and ed.
ucatlon best fit me.
deem IT but due TO candor TO state. at the
same time, that, il were called to the presi-
dental Chair by the general voice of the PEG
pie, without regard 10 their political difIeren-
ces should deem il 10 be my duty to accept
the office But while freely avow my attach
ment TO the administrative policy of our early
Presidents, desire it TO be understood that
cannot submit, even IN thus accepting II, TO the
exaction of any other pledge as TO the course
should pursue than that of discharging its
functions 10 the best Of my ability, and strict
" in accordance with the requirements of the
constitution. a8fH fft
have thus given you the circumstances
under which Only can be induced TO accept
the high and responsible office of President of
the United States. | need hardly add that |
before the people exclusively by any of the po-
litlcal parties that now so unfortunately divide
our country, as their candidate for this office.
II affords me great pleasure, in conclusion,
fully TO concur with you in your high and just
estimate ofthe virtues, both of head and heart
of the distinguished citizens Messrs. Clay,
Webster, Adams, McDuffie and Cahounl
mentioned in your letter. have never yetex-
ercised the privilege of voting; but had been
called upon at the last Presidential election TO
do so, | SHOULD MOST CERTAINLY HAVE CAST
MY VOTE FOR MR. CLAY.
] am, sir, very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
z. TAYLOR,
Major General u. S. Army.
f. s. BRoNsoN, NJ. D., Charleston, S. c.
The emphatic appreciation expressed by
General Taylor of ''the administrative policy
OF our early Presidents" in which the Wings
find ample authority for all their leading prin-
ciples and measures, taken in connection with
his frank declaration that he should have GER
lanly voted for Mr. Clay in 1874, had he voted
at all, can leave no doubt of his entire concur
renee with the Wing party in sentiment
While on this point we have never been our
selves in doubt, we are nevertheless gradfed
thatthe General has been sufficiently explicit TO
satisfy others, who, not content with the POSI-
tive declarations of third parties, have insisted
upon waiting for the ''5est evidence"-that of
General Taylor himself-Rieh. Wing.