The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-07-24

odd of February last in which the writer observes:
"The purpose of this communication is simply TO call
your attention to the fact and to make known to your
readers, that the explanation made by General Cass IN
the Senate, the 2d OF February last IN relation to the
character of Mr. Marks and his conduct in this
action, incorrect and untrue in every material point
and afterwards admitted and declared to have been
such by General Cas- HIMSELF in open Senate IN reply to
the questions of the Hon. John NJ Clayton. The expla-
nation first made by General Cass impeached Mr. Markss
character for truth and probity. But it being afterwards
made manifest to General Casss satisfaction that the dis
paragng impuations by him cast upon Mr. Marks were
groundess and contradiced by established facts he
withdrew them in open Senate declaring that his state
had been made under an erroneous view OF the facts
Not having time enough at our disposal yesterday to
examine the reported debates in reference to this subject
we confded in the Of "Justice to the facts
of the case but compelled say that reference
to the files this morning satisfies that the author of
Justice has not only done great injustice to Gen Cass
but has ngeniousy COMPOUNDED dates substantially
present the matter in totally different aspect that which
the record affords The facts shortly these A few
days previously to the 22d February, incidental debate
sprung up the Senate in reference to Mr. Markss letters
to the Secretary of State time in the autumn of
in which it appears reporter misunderstood the pur-
port OF Gen. Cass's remarks. On subsequent day
viz: on this very 22d Of FebruTy-Gen c., at the in
stance of Mr.. John M Clayton, explained the error of
omission into which the reporter hal fallen. With the
view of making the matter Ineligible, we publish
below the material parts of Gen. Cs speech OF that date
Before doing so, however, must take occasion to re-
| mark, that the explanation made by Gen. Cass on the
22d February last never by him ''admited and de-
clared to be incorrect and untrue in every material
point" On the contrary, his speech of the 22l Februa-
ry is itself the explanation of previous misuderStand-
ing of his remarks But this speech, the whole of which
Except the etters) give below, and which is the last
on the subject so far able to find from either
the Congressional Globe or " Congressional Register"
will enable the reader Judge how far Justice has sue
ceeded in showing that Gen. C. said aught about Mr.
Marks which he afterwards admitted was incorrect
and untrue that Gen C, has retracted any por
ton OF his speech of the 22d February:
| Mr.. JOHN M. CLAYTON rose, and said that he de-
sired to ask word OF explanation from the from
Michigan, Mr. CAss] relative to the letter of Mr.
SENATOR the other day. on that subject 1t was stated that
st was important to notice that the following significant
paragraph in the letter MIR. Blu chanan was not pub
| lished
atmy own expense discussing upwards of two thousand
He (Mr. CO desired to know if the honorable senator
had made that stat ement after having himself seen the
letter in question in the Departm ent of State
MIR. CAss said, in answer that letter published
in the Charleston Mercury from Mr.. Marks to General
Taylor, together with letter from Mr. Marks to the
Department of State communicating the letter to General
| Taylor.
Here follow the letters of Mr. Marks to General Tay-
lor and to Mr.. Buchanan.l
The senator from South Carolina and the senator from
North Carolina both referred to this letter of Mr. Marks,
IN the course OF the present discussion proof that the
Mexican authorizes were willing to consider the Coora
do as the military boundary, beyond which the Mexican
troops should not pass, and that consequently, by order
brought on the war. And this communication of Mr.
Marks is assumed as ground for the action OF the gov
eminent, which, it is said, had thus authoritative no
tice OF the wishes OF the Mexican government. Now,
sir, what the facts Mr. Marks, private citizen
puts himself in communication, without any authority
from the government, with the commander of the Next
him. This report he forwards TO Gen. Taylor, and a
copy of il to the government What sort of basis
o the Cen Taylor the gov
make to Gen. Taylor, the way TO do open to him
and il the Mexican government wished 10 communicate
with ours, the way to do equally open to them
Mr. Marks produces authority from General Arista
He reports but verbal conversation with himself, and
certainly in military operations, loose communications
like this, coming from hostile general entitled to
no kind of weight Two main facts stated by Mr.
Marks one, this proposition of sort of neutral line
and the other, that the cabinet of Mexico is disposed
to enter into amcabe arrangement with the United
States in relation to the boundary and all other
questions" Mr. Markss letter to the Department of
State which was dated October 30 S5 and enclosed the
copy of the letter to General Taylor dated September 49,
1915, reached the department the 9th November, 1915
On that very day arrived the letter from Mr. Black of Oc
ODer II, 1919, winch induced the government TO make
propositions TO Mexico, On the 10th of November Mr.
Slidells commission made out, and the day
Mr. Marks presented himself and desired to be appoint
ed the secret aSeno go to Arsa He brought letter
from General Taylor, the trace of any authority from
General Arsa. fle told he could not be employed
but he told, also, that General Taylor had no in
tenon for the present. of advancing from his camp
Corpus Christi The remarks to whi the senator from
Delacare autes, IN the Union Of FRIDAY evening,
not NINE The reporter was not present when the sub
iect was up in the Senate He called upon me in
the evening for my remarks, but it was too late
then to make them out | placed the papers in his
hands, and furnished him with some memoranda,
leaving to him to make out the statement In answer
now to the specific question of the gentleman from Del
impression that in the public letter from Mr. Marks to
the Secretary of State the paragraph relating his
pensatlon had been suppressed But both the letters
Mr. Buchanan and the letter TO Gen Taylor read
open Senate, and thus the opportunity furnished
every senator to correct the did myself per-
ceive it until the reporter called upon me- when we read
both the letters and, comparing them, discovered the
doubt overlooked in the pressure of his engagements |
owe it, therefore, to Mr. Marks thus to correct the err
ror. know nothing OF hun but from the papers rela-
ting 10 this transaction, aud have intention to do
him injustice. But besides the former letter to the Sec
rotary OF State from New Orleans dated October 30 there
another OF the date marked private, but con-
tanning netting private,' for related exclusively to
this matter and to Mr. Markss position and claims
| 1--WE here insert the letter. which is folIows;]
tPRIvArE.
New ORLEANS, October 80, 1915.
DEAR Being unknown and addressing note to you
have doubt been guilty OF breach etiquette but
affair treated doubt being portant determined
waive all ceremony and my proceedings will
| with your appreciation.
independently of my personal services have travelled