Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-04-06

To The President Of the United States, and near
ly half of MerieO certain, piih pretty tOier
able fair chance for The lohoie.
Cry OF Mexico, DOUBTFUL TERRIToRY,(
February IA, l848.
Dear Colonel:-lf any body asks you tha
impudent question again, "What are we fighting
lori" jest tell him he'a goose, and don't know
what he's talking about, for we dim fighting a
all; we've got peace now; got an armistce, they
call it so, there's no sense al all of their putting
that question TO you any more. We've got The
opposiuon fairly on the hip upon that question, i
no other; fairly gagged EN-; they can't say tc
you any longer now, "Whal are we fighting for!
This is some consolation for the shabby trick
Trist has served u.s. That fellow has made Q
bargain with the Mexicans TO stop the war, IL
spite of the orders you sent 10 him TO come
right straight home and let things alone. fell
uneasy about il when see him hanging about
here so long aficr he got his orders TO come
home, and said to him, once or twice, " Mr..
Trist, what's the reason you don't 60 of home
and mind the President! This unlawful bold
ness Of yourn is shameful"
"Why, Major" says he, "he that does his
masters will, does ri ght, whether he does ac.
cording TO orders or not. The President sent
me out here to make peace, aud IFS wonder to
me if | don't fix it yet, some how or other, be-
fore I've done with it," And then he put his
finger TO the side of his nose and give me sas-
sy look as much as to say, Major Downing, you
had better not try to be looking into diplomatic
things that's too deep for you.
Says |, "Mr. Trist, Pm astonished at you;
thought you was man of more judgment, and
looked deeper into things. Don't yon see what
advantage it gives the president to lei things now
stand just as they bee? He's offered peace 10 the
Mexicans and they have refused it. Therefore,
the opostion at home can't cry out against him
any more if he goes ahead with the war. He's
shet their mouths up on that score. lies made
the war popular, and can go into the presden'
tial campaign now with a good chance Of being
elected for another term. And now if you 60 to
dabbIin in the business any more, I'm sure you'll
do mischief. As things now stand, peace is the
last thing in the world that the President wants.
You've done your errand here and got your an
swer, and its turned out Jest right; we can go on
with our anneXn all Mexico now, without such
an everlasting growlin among the opposition at
is."
Well now after all this plain advice-for felt
it my duty to be plain with him-he still kept
hanging about here, day after day week after
week, and the first thing knew we was took all
aback by being told that Mr.. Trist had made a
treaty and Gineral Scott was 10 order an armis-
tice. ] couldn't hardly believe my ears at first.
| posted right off to Gineral Scott 10 know what
il all meant.
"Gneral," says |, "are you going to order an
armisticel"
"Yes, Major Downing" says he; "Mr. Trst
and the Mexican commissioners have signed the
preiminaries of a treaty, so of course we shall
have an armistlce."
"WelI now, Gineral," says /, 81 don't think
the President will thank you for that"
"Can't help that" says he, al must obey the
orders Of the Government, thanks or no thanks.
And when Mr.. Trlsi was sent out here TO make
a treaty, was directed, when the plan of rea-
ty should be signed on both sides, 10 order an ar
mstice, and wait for the two Governments to
ratily the treaty. WE'LL Mr.. Trist and the Mex
ican Commissioners have at last fixed upon some
kind Of bargain and signed it, and of course
according to my orders we have nothing to do
but TO stand still and wait for the two govern.
monts TO clinch the nail"
"But," seys |, "GincraI, you know Mr.. Trst
has no right to make a treaty any more than
have, for the President has ordered him to come
home; and if he has made u treaty, its no bet
ter than piece of blank paper, and you should.
mt mind it,"
"Don't know anything about them them mat
ters," says he, 81 can't 60 behind the curtain to
inquire what liuo manoeuvres are going on be-
tween the President and his Commissioner. Mr..
Trist came Out here with his regular commission
10 make treaty. He has brought me treaty,
signed by himself and the Mexican Commis-
Sioners; and my orders are to cease hostiiities
OF course we can do nothing else but halt and
stack our arms"
"WeIl," says !, "Ginera, 1t amt right; it's a
bad business; it'll break up this grand annexn
plan that was goln on so nice that we might got
through in a year or two more; and then it will
bother the President most TO death about his cleo
lion for the second term. That treaty must be
stopped; it mustn't be sent home; and III 60
right and see Mr.. Trst about it," ..
So of went and hunted up Mr.. Trist and
had atalk with him. Says ."Trist, hows This?
They tell me you've been making a treaty with
these Mexicans."
Shouldn't wonder if | had' says he, chats
just what come out here for"
"Well, | must say sir" says |, 81 think this is
pretty poice of business. How do you dare to
do such a thing! You know the President has
ordered you home.'
"Ycs," says he, "and mean to go home us
soon as ] get through with the job he sent me to
dos
"Well now," says |, "Trist, claim TO know
whaI the President is about, and what he wants,
and I'm the confidential friend and private cmba5-
sador out here, aud shH!! l2Ga!' 'ih>r'v to in