The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1848-05-12
Two Letters from Gen. Taylor.

So many contradictory reports of hs views, opin-
ions aud intentions have been recently promuga-
ted that he has deemed ii necessary to place him
position.
The first letter is written to the Editor of the
Richmond Republican in reply to one addressed
to him and asking him, whether he wonld accept
the nomination of Wing Convention; whether
he would withdraw should Clay be nominated
and whether he had stated that he was in favor oil
the Tariff Of '46, the Sub Treasury, that he had
commenced the Mexican War, aud would, if cleo
ted, select his cabinet from both parties.
The following is his reply:
BATON RorGE, (La.) April 20, 1S4s.
Dear Sr:-Your letter of the 10Th
instant, which aludes to certain state
ments that have recently been made in
some of the papers at the north, and
which submits several inquiries for my
consideration, has been received.
To your inquiries l have respectfully
to reply:
1st. That if nominated by the Whig
National Convention, ! shall not refuse
acceptance, provided | am left free of all
pledges, and permitted to maintain the
position of independence of all parties in
which the people and my own sense of
duty have placed me; otherwise, shall
refuse the nomination of ony convention
or party.
2dly. do not design to withdraw my
name if Mr. Clay be the nominee of the
Wing National Convention; and in this
connection, | beg permission to remark
that the statements which have been so
positively made in some of the northern
prints, to the effect that, "should Mr.
Clay be the nominee of the Wing Ma.
tional Convention" | had stated "that |
would not suffer my name to be used
are not correct, and have no foundation
in any oral or written remarks of mine.
1t has not been my Intention. at any mo.
ment, to change my position, or to with
draw my name from the canvass, whoev-
er may be nominee of the National Con
vention, either ofthe Wing or Democrat
ic party.
3Jly. have never stated to any one
that | was in favor ofthe tariff of 1916, Of
the Sub Treasury or that originated the
war with Mexico; nor finally, that |
should if elected, select my Cabinet from
both parties. No such admission or state.
ments were made by me at any time or to
any person. Permit me, however, to
add, that, should such high distinction be
conferred upon me as that of elevation to
the Executive Office, the Constitution, in
strict and honest Interpretation, and in
the spirit and mode in which it was acted
upon by our earlier Presidents, would be
my chief guide. In this | conceive 10 be
all that is necessary in the way of Pledg-
es.
The elevation of another candidate
would occasion no modification to me, but
10 such a result, as the will of the people,
| should willingly and calmly submit.
AS have had no ambition to serve but
in the desire to serve the country, it
would bring to me no disappointment.
With sentiments of high respect and
regard, | remain your most obedient SER
want, u. TAYLOR.
O. p. BALDWIN, Esq. or Ro. II. GALLAGHER, Esq.
Editors Richmond Republican, Richmond, Va.
The other letter, is dated two days after, and
is directed to his brother-in-law, Capt. Allison
ltappears originally in the New Orleans Picayune
and will be read with more interest than any fits
predecessors Though long. we copy it in full:
BATON ROUGE, April 90, lS48.
Dear Sir-My opinions have recently
been so often misconceived and misrep-
resented, that | deem it due to myself
if not to my friends, to make briefexpo-
sition flhem upon the topics to which
you have called my attention.
have consented to the use ofmy name
as candidate for the Presidency.
have frankly avowed my own distrust of
my fitness for that high station;but having,
at the solicitation of many of my country.
men, taken my position as a candidate,
| do not feel at liberty to surrender that
position until my friends manifest wish
that should retire from it. | will then
gladly dos l have no private purposes
to accomplish, no party projects to build
up, no enemies to punish--nothing to
serve but my country.
have been very often addressed, by
letter, and my opinions have been asked
upon almost every question that might
occur to the writers as Getting the inter
ests of their country or their party. l
have not always responded to these inqui.
ries, for various reasons.
confess, whilst have great cardinal
principles which will regulate my politi,
cal lite, | am not sufficiently familiar with
all the minute details ofpolitical legislation
to give solemn pledges to exert my inAu-
ence, ifl were President, to carry out this
or defeat that measure. have no con.
cealments. hold no opinion which l
would not readily proclaim to my assem-.
bled countrymen; but crude impressions
upon matters of policy, which may be
right to-day and wrong tomorrow, are,
perhaps, not the best test of fitness for of.
tice. One who cannot be trusted with.
out pledges cannot be con6ded in merely
on account of them.
will proceed, however, now to re-
spond TO your inquiries.
F1St.--I reiterate what l have often
said--l am whig but not an ultra whig.
Ifalao,aI I ,yo,,l,l NAT N ,h., D,o m, :. &