Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-10-07

suggests Do they not klop the contrary and do
not such Of them have the printed documents
also know that Gen. TAYLOR, being fully authorized
so to do declined TO pursue his own counsel, as now
cited in defence of the President, short time after
it was given! For the benefit Of those who do mol
know these things, we will endeavor to render them
as plain as can be done in the brief time and space
remaining at our disposal
The first point is readily settled by reference
to the Correspondence of the War Department,
above recapinlated.) Its contents having now
become known 10 almost every one, II Is only ne
cessary 10 call to mind the fact that the original IN
structons to General TAlLon Of the 18th OF June,
lsi5 distinctly named the Rio Grande as the ultl-
mate destination of his army, and that all his sub
sequent instructions directly pointed to the same
lire as the boundary and the most desirable posi-
ton to be occupied. Thus, nearly four months
before the General ventured to tender his advice in
the matter, we have from the War Department un-
questionable evidence that it was the intention OF
the Executive to move the army upon the RIO
Grande entirely of its own accord.
The second point is made manifest by the events
which followed the writing OF Gen. Taylor's letter
Of the 4th of October That letter passed, on its
way 10 Washington, one from the War Depart
ment to the General. dated on the 10th of the same
month. In this letter Gen. Taylor was informed
that the Government had information which rem
dered it probable that serious attempt would be
made by Mexico to invade Texas that previous
instructions had put him in possession of the views
Of aS n
its territorial caims, but Of its determination to as
sert them; thai, in carrying out these Instructions
he would be left very much to his own judgment; ;
that he must approach as near the Rio Grande as
circumstances would permit that he need not wait
for directions from Washington to carry out what
he might deem proper TO be done, &c.
Here, again. be it Observed that, before the re-
reced to approach as near the Rio Grande as cir
curnstances would permit. But what is most de-
serving of particular notice is, that under this last
letter Of the Secretary of War, Gen. Taylor is
fully empowered TO pursue the counsel which he
had Just transmitted to the Executive. Did he do
this! No; change had occurred in the situation
of affairs which led to modification Of his own
opinion, and he at once informed the Department
that he should moi more from the position he then
occupied until he receired further Instructions.
We quote the essential part of this letter, as
follows:
HEApQrARrERs ARMY OF OccUrATIoS,
CmBus Christi, TeraS, November 7, ls45.
SrR: respectfully enclose copy Of letter from Commo-
dore Conner commanding the home squadron, which re-
ccived by tue Saratoga soop>nwa the 5th instant
The Intelligence communicated by the Commodore will doubt
less reach the seat of long before the receipt Of
this letter.
The communication from the Secretary Of War; dated 0c
ober 6 was received and acknowledged the s and I'd
instant pup sey offered detailed reply to the various
points embraced ia that communication until could receive
an answer to mine Of October d. which covered at least in
part) The ground.
The inelgcace from Mefo, hopcrer, tends 10 modify in
degree he expressed in thGt Communications
Tar POSITION OCCUPIED rHE TROOPS MAY PERHAPS
THE sEsr WHILE NEGOTIATIONS ARE PEsDrNG any
disposition shall be manifested hy Mexico to
tract them UNNECESSARILY.
Under the srppoon that such may be The view of the De-
parmen shall make movement from this point, except
for the purpose Of examining the country, until further in
aructigis are yeceired . u. TAYLOR,
Brcrei Brig. Gen. u S. Army.
The Department. it seems, sent no other commu-
nication to Gen. TAYLOR until that Of the 18th Of
January, in which he pas psremaptority ordered TO
ddoance has position. This, be it remembered, was
done while Mr.. SLIOELL yet remained in Mexico,
end two months before he was finally rejected.
Now, keeping in view these allimpo-tant facts
we submit il to the candor Of our Democratic
friends TO say whether the advice contained in Gen.
Tayors first letter was not at least neutralized by
the views expressed in the last one; and whether,
under these circumstances he should be held ac-
countable for having recommended the movement
which caused the war, as they have repeatedly
stated II they will only publish all the facts in
the case, they are welcome to whatever political
capital they can make out of it.