Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-07-08

An intelligent occasional writer in the New York
Courier and Enquirer gives the following Extracts
Of Letter from the Hon. JoHN,C. SPENCER, who,
while Secretary Of War, was necessarily brought
into frequent communication with Gen. TAYLOR,
which gives more just idea of his civil qualiica-
tons than perhaps any thing that readers have
before seen
''You ask me to communicate The opinion, which you
derstand has been expressed by in reference the attain
ofGen TAYLOR, derived from his correspondence with
the War Department during the time was in my charge.
is very true, have often stated my high opinion only
Of the sound judgment and unsurpassed discretion Of General
TAYLOR, but also of his capacity writer and when doubts
cast upon the authorship Of the admirable dispatches
which from Mexico under his name decared unequi-
voca my thorough conviction that he the author Of
them. And stated my for this conviction that his
official letters and other communications which had fallen
der my observation contained the condensed vgor Of
thought and expression, the pecuaes of style, and
beauty and osce of language that characterized his Mexican
dispatches and that from circumstances personally known
me- certain that he could have had the aid in writ
ing the letters and communications referred TO, which Of
the newspapers alleged had been rendered him in Mexico
This opinion deliberately reerate. You and know
perfectly well that persons who in the habit of literary
position detect the sye Of thought and turn Of
expression Of writer after having been acquainted with
Of his productions with certainty least equal to that with
which expert in penmanshpcan decide upon the signature
Of one whom he has seen write his name.
81 do not 10 deny that Gen. TAYLOR, like General
WAsHSGros, and like every other modest man. may have
had the aid Of literary friend in looking bis dispatches,
written, they must have BEEN under great excitement and
sometimes in haste; and that friend may have erased
dundan word Or phrase rounded period If this be evil
dence Of incapacy, who shall escape 1t is notorious that
the writings Of WAsHISeTos and particularly his Farewell
Address, underwent the revision of Gen. HAMILTON and
that the messages and public communications Of every other
President have always been subjected the critical exam
nation Of his Cabinet Indeed, do hesitate say that
the who will submit important public papers the pub
lie scrutiny without the revision Of friend, when can be
obtained, will evace presumption than good
1For forty years Gen. TAYLOR has been in the military
service Of the country than thirty years Of the time in
garisons and at posts where in time of peace he has had
abundant leisure His habits are admitted on all sides be
exemplary, and he to be any thing but indolent
What them have probably been his occupations during the
tedious days. weeks MONTHS and years Of garrison duty
The to the question may be found in the rch manly
and condensed thought that makes his compositions models Of
fact stated by the Gen. GIBsos to Mr. CRrTESDES
and by him proclaimed Psbug that he had been for many
years associated with Gen. TAYLOR in military service and
frequently martial and Of inquiry with him. and that
Gen. Taylor Arrays drew up the proceedings and reports Of
the courts Men accustomed to business win see the full force
Of this act.''