The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-03-26
(Extractl
DIR. Buchanan TO Mr.. Ir7st.
mo. a.

(Exuactl
DIR. Buchanan TO Mr.. 1r7st.
mo. 81 DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, June IA, lS47.
SIR Your despatch of the 2lst umo, which you have
numbered A. was received the Sd instant None OF a
later date from you has yet come 10 hand
The original letter from General Scott to yourself,
dated at Jaapa, May I. ls47 which you have transmit
ted with your despatch is certainly OF most exraord
nary character 1t was well calculated TO wound your
feelings and excite your indignation This letter surely
never would have been written, had he awaited your
rival his headquarters and read the Instructions and
the proet of treaty with Mexico, which you were au
thorized 10 communicate to him conhdenhay. The pc
rusa OF these documents must have put to tight the un-
founded suspicious, in regard TO your mission, which
seem to have preoccuped his mind and influenced his
conduct.
to my communication of the 18th April last addressed to
the Mexican minister for foreign relations after it was
placed in the hands OF Gen Scott Your whole duty
speeding then performed IL he has either refused
or ected to transmit that important document the
minister to whom it directed, and thus violated a
military order of the President issued TO him through the
Department of War, he has incurred heavy RESPONSE
bty but for this he is neither answerabe to the De-
partment OF State the commissioner TO Mexico The
question belongs exclusively to the military branch OF
the government.
You might safely have relied upon the here
for the vndication OF your character and conduct In.
Decd Gen SCOTS letter 10 you had upon its face placed
him clearly in the wrong, that commentary upon it,
however able, which you may have written, can have
made the palmer. Some days before the arrival OF
your despatch, the War Department had received de-
spalch from the general enclosing copy of his letter to
you; and judicous and appropriate answer dated on
the 3s Of May returned to him by the Secretary of
War
Whilst our armies are in the country of the enemy,
and minister of peace is at the headquarters of the
commanding general, this is no time Tor personal alter
cations between them if these can possibly be avoided.
Under such circumstances, the greater the sacrifice of
private griefs, however well founded which you may
make upon the altar OF your country the will this
rebound TO your honor hereafter. You have been des-
patched to Mexico by your government minister of
peace and, accomplish the great object of your mis-
sion, hearty operation between the general and your
self may be indispensable Under these considerations,
| am directed by the President in amicable rea-
tons shall not in the time have been restored to
instruct you call upon General Scott, and offer to
muncae him, condentally, the instructions and the
proet OF treaty with which you have been inrusted,
and to report this department, without delay, the cir
cunstances and the result of your interview.
Governor Marcy has again written TO General Scott by
the messenger who will bear you this despatch.
Yours, very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.
n p TRIsT, Esq, &C., &c, &C.,