Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1848-02-19
j. BERNARD p,y.a
General Taylor aud the Ad.

"NEASA NA SAAU NftN NAAH ANH
ministrA ton, Our ttaders Of every
poll ieal cr cd, will examine with interest
aud appreciation, the following letter from
General Taylor 10 Mr.. Secretary Marcy.
Ills whole career has shrwna spit Il Of no.
lie independence and ibis letter fully Va.
platts the cause Of hts being kept in the
back ground 10 the utmost extent hi poiIti.
cal Rdvprsnries dared to ventnte.
HEADQUARTERS. AaMv or oeeeeArtoN,l
AaetB Neapg. March >. talT
Sin I have had the honor to receive your oetnmu,
nieh'ah If january 81, iaelesing newspaper clip. and
expressing the regret of the Department. that the let.
ter copied into that clip, and which wuz addressed by
mYeelft 10 Maj Gen, Gaines should have been publish,
Cd.
Although your letter does not convey The direct cen.
eurc Of the Department or the President. yet when il
ta tnben In connection with n revival Off paragraph
In the regulations Of 1895. touching Tho publication u
private letters concerning operations III The field. ! am
not permitted to doubt that | have become the subierI
or Executive dtsapprobotion. To any expression oft
coming with the authority Of the President. | am bound
by my duty, and by my respect for hia high office
patiently 10 submit. bat lest my biience should be con,
Htrted into n taeit admission Of the grounds and con,
illusions fet forth In your communication, | deem II Il
duty which ! owe 20 myself 10 submit n few remarks
in reply. ! Hhall DO ]pardoned for speaking plainly.
In the first place, the published lettor bears upon 10
face The most conclusive evidence that Il was intended
only for private peYtiaal. and not ut al for publication
IL s.aa t.Ilk.laA .l4haA ED. a-.t = 49,.
10 my wirhoF. Surely, / need not say, that | am moi
in the habit Of writing for the newspapers. The letter
wa" n familiar one, written 70 nm old military friend,
with whom | have for many years inlerehanged epin,
ions on professional subjects, That he should think
proper 10 publish II under any circumstances could not
have been Nreseen by mo.
In the absence Of any proof that the publication
was made with my authority or knowledge | may be
permitted 10 say that the quotation IN your letter Of
651th paragraph Of the superseded regulations of 1895,
in which the terms ''mischievoua" and ''disgraeeful'
are employed TO characterize certain letters or reports
conveys. though not openly, a measure of rebuke,
which, to say the least, IL rather harsh, and which
many nay think not warranted by the premises.
Again ! have carefully examined the letter in ques-
tinn, and | do not admit that 1t is 20 obnoxious 10 the
out5cttofiS urged III your communication. | see moth.
ing in it which, under the same circumstances, |
would not write again. To suppose that it will give
the enemy valuable information touching our pas; or
prospective line Of operations, is TO know very little
Of the Mexican sources Of information, or Of their OK.
traordinary sagaeity and facilities in keeping constant.
~ appriZed Of our movements. As TO my particular
views in regard to the general policy to be pursue /
towards Mexico, ! perceive from the public journals
that they are shared by many distinguished statesmen.
and also in part by a conspicuous officer in the navy,
the publication Of whose opinions is not, perhaps, OBJ.
structed by any regulations of his department. Il is
difficult, then, 10 imagine that the diffusion Of mine
can render any peculiar cid to the enemy, or specially
iisinoline him TO enter into negotiations Of peace"
In conclusion, | would say that 1t has given me great
pain to be brought into the position in which / now
find myself with regard 70 the Department Of War and
the Government. II has not been Of my own seeking.
To the extent Of my ability and the means placed 4,
disposal, have sought faithfully TO serve the coun.
try by carrying ont the wishes and instructions of the
But il eonnot be concealed that since the
,apinlaron of Monterey, the confidence Of the De-
,artment, and | too much fear OF the President. has |