The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1848-02-24

GEN. TAYLOR's CELEBRATED LETTER
Tho following is the letter written By
Gen. Taylor to the War Department, 10
answer 10 Que complaining Of him writing
the letter to Gen. Gaines, in relation to
tho war;
HEADQUARTERS or THE ARMY or OccrrATIoS,l
Aqua NuEvA, March ith, 1913. )
had tho honor 10 receive your commu-
nica,ion Of Jan. -, enclosing newspaper
slip, and expressing tho regret Of the De-
partmcnt, that the letter copied in that slip,
aud which was addressed by myself to
Alnj. Gen. Gaines, should have been pub
lished. Although your letter docs not con-
vey tho direct ccnsurc oil the Department
aud the President, yet when il WINS taken
in connection with the revival Of the para
graph in the regulations Of 1925, touching
the publication Of private letters concern.
ing operations in tho field, am not per
mittcd 10 doubt that have become a sub.
ject Of Executive Misrepresentation. TO any
expression of il, coming with the authority
Of the President, nm bound by my duty
and By respect Tor his high office, patiently
to submit, but lest my silence should be
construed into n tncit admission Of the
grounds md conclusions set forth in your
communication, deem il duty which
owe to myself to submit. few remarks in
reply.
shn'I he pnrdoncd fnr speaking plainly
In the first place, the published letter benrs
upon its face the most conclusive evidence
TINT it YVES intended only for private peru
sal, and not ut ali for publication. Il was
published without my knowledge, and con-
trary To my wishes. Sarcly, need no,
shy, that am not in the habit OF writing
for tho newspapers. The letter was e.
mi'iar one, written to nm old military friend,
with whom have been for many years in.
terchangiag opinions on professional sslb-
jects. That he should think proper, under
any circumstances, to publish il, could no,
have been forcseen by me. In the absence
of proof, that the publication was made
without my authority or knowledge, may
he permitted 10 say, the quotation in your
letter Of the 650th paragraph Of the super
sctlcd regulations Of 1925, in which the
terms 'mischievous aud disgraceful" are
employed To characterize certain letters
and reports, conveys, though not openly, n
measure Of rcbukc, which, 10 say tho least,
Is rather harsh, and which many think is
not warranted in the premises.
| Again, ! have carefully examined the
letter in question, and 90 not admit that
It is obnoxious to the objections urged in
your communication. see nothing in it,
which, under tho Same ci,cumst anccs, |
would not write again. To suppose that j,
will give tho enemy valuable information
touching our posts or respective lines oil
operations, is to know very little OF the
Mexican sources Of information, or of,hcir
extraordinary sngacity md facilities ia
keeping constantly rpprised Of our move.
menis. As 10 my particular views in 70.
gard 10 the general policy to be pursued
towards Mexico, I perceive from the pub.
lie journals that they arc shared BY many
distinguished statesmen, also, in part, By
conspicuous officers Of the navy, the publ
cation Of whose opinions is NOT, perhaps oh.
structed by my regulations Of the depart
mens. u Is difficult, then, 10 imagine how
the diffusion Of mine cnn render INV ne.
cnliar aid 10 tho enemy, or especially dis.
incline linn TO enter into negotiations for
peace.
In conclusion would say, /. has given
me grcnt pain to be brought into tho posi-
ton in which now find myself in regard
10 tho department Of war, and the govern.
ment. II Inns not been OF my own seeking.
To the extent of my abilities and the means
placed at my disposal, have sought faith
fally 10 serve the country, hv carving out
the rules and instructions Of the Executive !;
but II cannot be concealed, TINT since the
caplinla,ion Of Monterey, the confidence Of
the department and too much fcnr, Of the
President. has been gradually Withdrawing,
and nv consideration and usefulness cor
rcspondingly diminished. The 0ppareui
determination Of the department 10 Mace
me In an attitude antayonisfical 10 the cor.
ernnsens. has an apt illustration in the we'll
known fable of Aisop. ASK NO FAVOR.
and ] shrink from no responsibility, while
entrusted with the command in this omar.
ter. ] shall continue to devote nj! nv en-.
crg'es 10 the public good, locking far nv
reward to the conscientiousness Of pure
natives, aud TO the final rcrdict of impar.
iial history.
] nm sir.
Your very ob'i servant,
z. TAYLOR.