Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-04-27

II L lie CouRT OF lNQUlRY-IR RlST AGAINST
PILLow.-We are getting some more pariicu
lars of the proceedings Of the Court of Inquiry
at the City of Mexico. Mr.. Trist was the sec.
ond witness. His evidence was principally
relative to his sending letters from Gen Pillow
by the same channel by which he sent his own
dispatches. That channel was Mr.. Fraener
of the n. o. Delta. Mr.. Trist said Mr.. Polk
placed him upon very intimate personal rela-
tions with General Pillow, and he (Trist) had
very high opinion of him, and confidence in
him. He therefore did not hesitate to send
letters for him. Upon one occasion he trans
mitted for General Pillow, package of letters,
one of which was addressed to the Delta and
another to the Washington Union. lie thinks
that the letters to the editors were directed in
a larger, palmer and better hand than General
Pillows. Upon the cross-examnation, by
General Pillow, Mr. Trst was asked, "Do
you entertain feelings of hostility and prejudice
against General Pillow Z" The following is
his reply:
A. With regard TO prejudice, the only
prejudice that ever existed in my mind with re-
gard to the person who puts the question, was
prejudice in his favor. The only feelings of
hostility which | entertained are those arising
from studied attempt on his part to avail
himself of the position in which | had been
placed towards him by his friend, Mr. Polk, to
make me the accomplice and tool in a scheme
pf viii md Of
wards our whole country, and villany towards
individual officers of this army, the most auda-
cious, by far, that | have any knowledge
Of
General Pillow desired his question answer
ed; the witness was wandering from the
point.
A. have no personal hostility or prejudice
against him or anybody else-my hostility is
against vany.
q. Have you, or not, written letter or
letters calculated and intended to inlure me-
and TO whom.
A. have written no letters to any press,
or any person connected with any press-or in
tended to influence the mind Of any person con-
nected with any press. have written letters
which, in one sense Of the word" njure'- Il
were calculated to make his character known,
and, therefore, TO injure him. The first Of
these letters was written to my family in
Washington-it contained message for Mr.. 4
Buchanan, Secretary Of State, dictated by feel
ings Of kindness towards him-and the desire
to save him (Mr. b. from disgrace.
The substance Of these letters was brought
out in the examination. In letter addressed
to Gen. Dix, Mr.. Trist said
Beware Of prccipitancy in your confirma-
ton Of Generals nominations in this quarter /;
If you neglect this caution, ], can only serve 10
involve the Senate in disgrace-a deep,
damnng, ineffable disgrace-which no earthly
power, or all earthly powers combined, can
avert" II
In an official despatch, he said
"Of these two dupcs, the one was Santa
Anna, the other the most worthy corhpeer Of
Santa Apna, 80 Gar as he can be made 80 by
The same low craving for distinction, and the
same happy facility in deviating from the ways
Df truth, aud IN being deaf 10 the dictates Of
common Justice and common honesty while
pursuing his object. a person, IN fine. whose
character in regard 10 the reach Of his mind,
md the tone of his mind, was most fehcitously
md accurately sketched by friend Of mine, in
hese words II is such as II qualify him for
striving a. county court bsr in the defence cf