Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1848-02-24
Another letter from Gem. Taylor.

last summer, made Puolc letter from cen
Taylor containing some of hi, views relative to
the var and its further prosecution. The Gov
ernment ,hereupon re-enacied The noted Cen
era Order No. ESQ., and communicated i, with
copy of Gen. rs letter TO him. The follow
Jug reply TO ,ha, despatch, was recently fur-
nshed 10 the House by President Polk, in an
swer to call from that body.l
Head Quarters Army Of Occupation,
Aqua NUEva, March 3, l9i7.
have had the honor 10 receive your COM
municauon of January Of enclosing newspa-
per slip, and expressing the regret of the De-
parment that The letter copied IN that slip. and
" hch was addressed by myself 10 Mai Cen
Gaines should have been published Although
your letter does mol convey the dtrecl censure
Of the Department and the Presidents; yet, " hen
II was taken in connection auh the revival Of
The paragraph in the regulations of 1875, touch
lng the publication Of private lelers concerning
operations in The field, am no, permitted to
! doubt that have become sutjec, Of Extcu-
i've dsapproba'ion. To any expression Of it,
coming with The authority OF the President, |
am bound by my duty aud by re.pec. Tor his
high Office patiently 10 submi but les, my 81.
| lence should be construed into IaciI admission
0f The grounds and cone !usions SET forth in your
communication, deem i, duy which owe
10 myself, 10 submit few remarks 10 reply.
| | shall be pardoned for speaking plainly
| In The first place, The published letter bears
upon its face the most conclusive evidence rha;
II was intended only for pri,ae peisual and
not "a, all for publication. Il was published
without my knowledge, and contrary 10 my
wishes. Surely | need noi say that am moi
IN he habit OF wriling for The uewspapers--
| The letter was familiar one written To an old
military friend, with whom | have been for
many years nerchaDging opinions on profess
slonal subjects. Thar he should think proper,
under any circumstances, TO publish II, could
not have been fofseen by me. In the absence
OF proof that The pubca ion made without
my authority or knowledge, may be permitted
10 say, the quotation IN your letter OF the 650ih
paragraph of The superseded regulations of
| S25, in which the terms mischievous and
dlsgracefur employed 10 characterize cer-
lain letters or reports, conveys, though not open
! ~, measure of rebuke which, to say he least.
is rather harsh, and which many think not war
ran'ed by the premises,
| Again, | have carefully examined The letter
| in question. and do nol admit that II is Obnox-
iuus TO the objections urged in your commuDl-
cation. see nothing in il, which under The
same circumstances, | would no, write again.
! To suppose tina, it will give the enemy valua-
bic information touching our posts or respective
| line Of operalions, is 10 know very lille Of the
Mexican sources of information, or of their ex-
sraordlnary sagaciiy and facilities in keeping
constantly apprised of our movement As to
my particular views in regard 10 the general
| policy 10 be pursued towards Mexico, | per-
ceive by the public Journals that they shared
| by many distinguished s,atesmen-also, In part
by conspicuous officers in our navy, the publ
cations OF whose opinions. Is not obsiIucied by
any regulations of the Department. Ii is diff
cult, then, TO imagine how The diffusion Of mine
can render any peculiar aid TO the enemy, or
especially 10 incline him to enter into negoiia-
lions for peace.
In conclusion, would say i; has given me
great pain To he brought into The position in
which | now fiud myself in regard 10 The de.
par,menr 1t has no. been of my own seeking.
| To the extent of my abilities, aud the means
placed al my disposal, have sought faithfully
TO serve the country, by carrying out the rules
! and instructions of The Execulive---but II can.
no, be concealed, that since the capiulaon Of
Monterey, the confidence Of the department,
and, too much fear, of the President, has been
gradually Withdrawing and my consideration
and usefulness corrsspondingfy diminished
The apparent determination of The department
to place me in an attitude aniagonistical TO the
government, has an apr illustration in The we'll
known fable of Esop. ask no favor, and |
shrink from no responsibility, while entrusted
with the command in this quarter. shall con-
'inue TO devote all my energies 10 the public
good, looking for my reward TO The conscien
'iousness of pure motives, and TO the final ver-
die, Of impartial history. am sir,
Your very obi servant,
T. TAYLOR
Maj. Gen. u. S. A. Commanding.
+" Hon. w. l.. Marcy, Sec'y. of War, Wash
ingon D. c.