The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-04-05
BY THE MAILS.
AFFAIRS IN WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, hPIli Z, lNH.
Party Poities-hjustice TO the Secretary Of VA"
General Iayior-Generai Butler-Mr. WoLk-
er-1he Isthnus Of Huasacuaico.
What an incrustaton of sordidness do party
politics leave on the character How it smothers
even the noble impulses of patriotism (! The first
exclamation of the wing presses on the receipt Of
the recent glorious victory achieved by our army
at Buena Vista, was, what an escape for the
administration - Political antagonism was the
most prominent feeling excited by the inielli-
gence of IA new and great triumph of the Ameri-
arms-an invdous anxiety lest the victory
should at all rebound to the glory of the admins
ration. No sigh for the brave men who died
fighting for their country--no paean TO the praise
OF the gallant old veteran who drove the boast
full enemy back into the wilderness, scattering
the hordes brought together for the destruction
of his fearless little army-no hosanna to the
God of battles for the preservation of our army.
and for the maintenance of the honor of our flag
Nothing, but "What an escape for the admins
tration!'
Apart from its abominabe bad taste, the excla.
nation is utterly illogical and unjust, and the
charge against the Secretary Of War of gros. ig-
norance in leaving General Taylor defenceless is
baseless, and without shadow of justification
Had General Taylors army been cut to pieces,
it would have been the fault of Congress, and
not of the administration. The combined attack
| on Vera Cruz and the castle of S. Juan d'Ulua,
was decided upon early last winter. General
Scott was sent down for the purpose of taking
| the city, and at the same time the Pres-
dent attempted TO supply the place of the troops,
| Gen Scott would be obliged to detach from Gen
Taylor's command, by earnestly recommending
| TO Congress the organization of an additional
| force of ten reg iments. Congress neglected, un-
! I'll too late for any practical purpose, to comply
| with this recommendation The bill was not
passed until within short time Of the adjourn
| ment, and thus the Secretary of War was left
| without means wherewith to furnish General
Taylor for active operations. Under these cir
cumstances he felt compelled to order General
Taylor to establish his headquarters at Monte
| rey, where he could defend himself without loss
| against all odds that instead of leaving Gen
eral Taylor deenceess, the Secretary of War
exercised the utmost providence and foresight
| In consulting for the safety of the general and
| the army. Had Congress AT once authorized the
| organization of ten regiments, in accordance
| with the earnest solicitation of the President
| and the Secretary of War, General Taylor would
| have felt himself sufficiently strong to meet the
| enemy without doubt to the consequences;
and after the late action at Buena VISTA he could
have followed up his victory and cut to pieces
| the remnants of Santa Annals discounted army.
| In the absence of this additional force the Sac
| rotary of War adopted the only practicable means
| to secure the safety of the army, by commanding
| it to be housed in safe quarters. General Tay-
or, avaiing himself of that large discretion
which has, since the commencement of the war;
been generously conceded to him by the depart
ment, preferred to meet the enemy in tho open
field and the result has justified us well his own
dauntless valor, the caution and foresight of
the Secretary of WARRIOR he has won great
victory-he has purchased it dearly His
little army has earned for itself inper-
lshable honors--numbers of its gallant
spirits have been quenchcd out for ever
Nearly three hundred brave hearts are stlled.
Probably many more disabled for
lifetime. The enemy has been repulsed with
tremendous loss. Our army has maintained its
position at vast expense OF life. General Tay-
lor has earned fresh laurels-he has purchased
them at high price.
Gen. Butler speaks of the gallant old man IN
| terms OF high prase-as one brave man speaks
OF another. The utmost cordially exists be-
! tween them Before the news of the late battle
| arrived General Butler was of opinion that Gen.
| Taylor would fight Santa Anna Immediately out
side Saltillo, on the hill west of the city. This
spot had been chosen by himself and Gen. Worth
ON the unanimous report OF the topographic cal
engineers, in Its favor, the most eligible posi-
ton for meeting the enemy. More extended Oh
servatioDs, doubtless, decided Gen. Taylor in',
vor OF Buena Vista. Gen. Butler not alt,
gether without apprehensions for Taylor's sa.
~, although his hopes predorninated over In
fears. When the rumor came that Taylor was
falling back Monterey, his apprehensionr
were disspated. II Taylor could draw Santa
Anna into the mouth the pass, he said, he was
safe. He describes the road leading from Saltl-
10 and Monterey, traversing a wide plain i'm
mediately outside the city, before il approache
the mountains. BY degrees il enters gorge i'm
the mouninlns. wide at the mouth but narrow %
ing as it proceeds. until at length il winds
through a narrow deie, e. los muerfos'') Had
General Taylor posted himself at the mouth
of this pass, and disposed his army 40 TINT
his TANKS would he protected bv the noun
talns either side, he would have been IN
absolute safety. Santa Anna could not have pro.
flied by hiss numerical superiority, from which
the only thing General Taylor had to fear would
be their tapping over his TANKS and surrounding
HIM. a few miles beyond los auuertos on the road
to Monterey, is the Rinconada pass. Both dctos
arc occupied at each end by our troops.
General Buffers leg is still painful The wound
which was made by a bullet entering below Inc
knee and passing down through the nc.hy part
grazing the bone III It's passage, was treated nm.
skilfully, the muscle being allowed TO attach IT,
settle the bone before the reformation of ia,
membrane. An awkward and painful contractor
il the consequence
Mr.. Walkers arduous labors during The Lat,
.. session have at length produced their effect i,
Frustrating his strength by severe and painful
illness. His energy and zeal in the perfornianc,
81 Ia. l,,u -.