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. Guines, in relation to
tho war;
HrApouAITERs or the ARMY OF OcrrParioS,l
Aqua NuEvA, March 4t'i, 1913 !
had tho honor 10 receive your comnu-
nication Of Jan. 81, enclosing newspaper
slip, aud expressing tho regret of the De-
partmcni, that tho letter copied in that clip,
aud which was addressed by myself 60
Maj. Gen. Gaines, should have been pub.
lished. Although your letter does not con-
vey tho direct ccnsurc oil the Department
aud the President. yet when il wns 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.
mitted 10 doubt that have bccomc sub.
ject Of Executive disnpprobntion. To any
expression u il, coming with the authority
Of the President, am bound by my duty
and by respect for 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.
shall bc pardoned Cor speaking plainly.
In the first place, tho published letter benrs
upon its face the most conclusive evidence
,hn, il WIS intended only Tor private peru
sal, and not at all for publication. |, was
published without my knowledge, aud con-
trary to my wishes. S,rcly, | need no,
say, that am no, in the habit OF writing
for the newspapers. The letter was a fa-
miliar one, written TO M old military friend,
with whom have been for m,ny years in.
terchanging opinions on professional snb-
jects. That he should think proper, under
any circumstances, 10 publish il, could no,
have been forcscen by mc. In the absence
of proof, that the publication was made
without my authority or knowledge, may
be permitted 10 say, the quotation in your
letter Of the 65Oth paragraph Of the super
seeded regulations Of 1926, in which the
terms "mischievous aud disgracefaI'' are
employed 10 characterize certain letters
and reports, conveys, though not openly, q
measure Of rebukc, which, TO say the least,
il rather harsh, and which many think is
not warranted in the premises.
Again, have carefully examined the
letter in question, and Go not admit that
il is obnoxious TO the objections urged in
your communication. see nothing in il,
which, under the same ci,cumst anccs, |
would not write again. TO suppose that il
will give tho enemy valuable information
touching our posts or respective lines Of
operations, is TO know very little Of the
Mexican sources Of information, or of,hcir
extraordinary sagscity and facilities ia
keeping constantly upprised Of our move
ments. As TO my particular views in re-
gard to the general policy to DO pursued
towards Mexico, 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 OBJ.
struc,ed by my regulations Of the depart
ment. Il Is difficult, then, 10 imagine how
the diffusion OF mime can render my Pc
culinr MD 10 tho enemy, or especially dis
Incline linn TO enter into negotiations for
peace.
In conclusion would sav, il has given
me grent pain TO be brought into the posi-.
,ion in which now find myself in regard
to the department Of war, aud the govern.
mcnt. Il has not been Of my own seeking.
To the extent Of my abilities and the means
placed at my disposal, have sought faith
tally to serve the country, by CARRYING out
the rules aud instructions Of the Executive:
but u cannot be concealed, TINT since the
capiinlation Of Monterey, tho confidence Of
tho department and too much fenr, of the
President, has been gradually Withdrawing,
and nv consideration and usefulness cor
rcspondingly diminished. The oppnren,
determination Of the department TO place
me in an altitude ANITA onissical TO the gor.
crnmcn:. has an apt illustration in the we'll
known fable of A,sop. ASK NO FAVOR,
and ] shrink from no responsibility, while
entrusted with the command in this quar-.
ter. ] shall continue to devote al! nv en-.
ergies 10 tho public good, licking far nv
rewnrd to the conscientiousness of pure
natives, and 10 the final rcrdict Of Impair
tial history.
Your very obi. servant.
Z. TAYLOR.