The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-05-04
CITY OF WASHINGTON. THURSDAY MORNING, MAY H. lS48.

force may exceed 800 and of the levies $3.50
less than 1000 electives that the present
ective force under General Taylor inc uding tue vol
uneers (when they arrive, would be less than 900.
respectfully laid before the President n 9bedieoce tc
| March g. Is47.
[NoTK.-The South Carolina regiment II officers and
gate was diverted from General Tayors line and
that OF General Scott subsequent the above estimate
This table exhibits the number of troops at that time
composing the army OF occupation under the command OF
Gen. Taylor Ii for him give to each corps its
proper position and if the troops were so scattered that
was impossible TO concentrate them upon any sudden
call, il no fault of the administration The wide
field which they were dispersed was not chargeabe
to the department. but the OF the General and
he will be the very last shrink from the RESPONSE
bity of arranging them he deemed expedient and
for the defence and protection OF the country
arrangement We all know the movement of Santa
Anna In the direction of Satllo resulted from his want
OF reliance in the ability of his own soldiers to meet
to fall upon and cut oft our in detachments and was
unexpected to both OF our generals and, my mind. it
IS the chlefest glory Of our army that i found equal
to great and sudden emergency OF the service, and
wrested victory from the hands OF apparently oyerwhelm
ing numbers
think, Mr. Speaker, have succeeded in scattering to
the winds the groundess mot to say spteu) charges
against the administration | believe they all performed
their duty faithfully, efficiently and well believe they
all entitled TO the applause of their country and,
the effort to heap up donors the party, and
sure on the other and fragrant injustice is perpetra
ted, and that rghtminded and intelligent constituency
will frown 1t down The administration and the gene
rails were engaged In common cause they jointly
responsible to Congress and the country for the correct
OF the plan OF the campaign well the efficiency of
its execution and those who wish to render the OBJ
noxous to the people, must necessarily direct their nvec
tive against all the parties involved in its management
Again, Mr. Speaker, was astonished at the remarks
of the gentleman from North Carolina upon what he sup
posed to be the opinion Of Mr. BENTON upon the attack
Of Vera Cruz should like to know by what authority
the gentleman spoke 50 far as understood Col BEN
entirely this morning But do understand how Col
BENToNs opinion should become matter OF moment in
this discussion
[Mr CLrNGMAN nterposed and said, all he knew was
derived from MIR. BENToSs speech the lieutenant
Mr.: T. resumed supposed this was the only author
,ty relied upon, and this was known to ALL 1t is true
Mr. BENTON did not think direct attack upon the strong
castle OF San Juan de Ulua was necessary-that we
could land our troops march into the Interior and that
Vera Cruz would fall necessarily into hands But
the administration and General Scott had thought other
wise; and 1t was total msconcepton and msrepresen-
aon to say that the President had sent General Scott on
FOOLS Grand, with small inferior force, to be cut up
and defeated, and, If to shuttle the whole responsi
by Of failure upon the General and wash his hands of
suaon was believed the city of Vera and he
strong castle of San Juan de Ulua cout BE- carried with
the force furnished General Scott was selected TO
went, and succeeded The result justified the calcua-
ton Does the gentleman or anybody suppose this ad
mnistraton would have permitted General Scott to I'M
Dcen
at the same time that efforts would have been crowned
with success?
The gentleman from North Carolina said there had
been disposition manifested the part 5 admins
traton, throughout, to make upon GN Scott and
General Taylor deny absolutely the correctness OF this
allegation. There has been no such disposon The
whole correspondence yet published shows the utmost
kindness and fobearance their part towards these in
dvldua!s Their suggestions have been followed, their
tons at all times furnished the soldiers; and on every
field where the enemy has arrayed himself for battle he
has been most signaly overcome and not single in.
stance record OF defeat or reverse Such campaign
badly, unwisely managed! The proposition carries
its ridiculous absurdy upon its face And this effort to
get up an opposition between the administration and the
10 inure TO party benefit, and from politicians whose
known position on the would make the generals and
the soldiers mere tools of usurpe aiding and abettng
him IN ramping upon the sacred constitution of our
country and in etiecng his unhalowed purposes of
terminating unjustly an innocent people. Laurels
an unjust cause must soon fade and become contempt
be; in the that, while admire the boldness
and courage of the buccaneer Lae despse the man
for the cause in which he was engaged
AT this time do not feel prepared to go into
nation OF the charges OF unfair dealing the part of the
administration towards General Scott; nor will endeav-
to dssect the proposition that General Scott entitled
to great honor for negotiating the late treaty but not re-
sponsble Tor any of It's terms have not examined the
correspondence am not in possession of the facts But
have an abiding confidence in the justice and fairness
OF the Presidents and the attempted cry OF persecution
will fail of its object
This brings to notice the course of the gentleman
from North Carolina this subject He has been in
perfect state of feversh anxiety get hold of this
pondence, with the hope, doubt of finding something
10 suit his party purposes Although resolution calling
for the correspondence had been adopted and known
il would make large document, and required tme with
large force to it, his eagerness high
that for the last five six days the gentleman had been
vexing the House with motions suspend the rules when
could be done for the purpose of sending second
resolution TO the President demanding his reasons for de-
laying compliance with the first resolution AT last, the
correspondence came in; motion is made to print and
the gentleman makes no opposition. motion is made
to refer to the Committee Printing the propriety Of
printing extra number of the document No opposition
still manests itself. This morning the gentleman comes
in with motion to reconsider the resolution of yester-
day, directing inquiry into the proprey Of printing
extra number of this document for the country. He has
examined the correspondence in manuscript; other
member has done so and it is evident he has not found
what he had expected He finds nothing which can be
distorted to the prejudice of the Notwithstanding
which will elevate his favorIte Scott, and overwhelm the
administration With all his anxiety TO see the cores
pondence, he afraid for it TO go the country and if
it must GO, there must go along with it his comments
The gentleman from North Carolina charges that the
correspondence has been garfield and important papers
have not been communicated have not the cor
Responsiveness none OF my friends this side of the
House have; have had ntimation from any head of
the different departments but do not believe there has
been any garbing, any Withholding of important letters
The Secretary of War is too good tactician for this
Tie knows that everything in the end will be brought to
ght and Withholding any letter now, unnecessarily,
would imply disposition which know he does not pos
sess. There may be letters withheld but venture the
assertion, without information, that they pertain only TO
matters and things now undergoing investigation by
court OF inquiry, and their publication may the ludg