The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-03-23
From the National Intelligencer,
FOURTH DESPATCH OF MAJOR DOWNING.


FOURTH DESPATCH OF MAJOR DOWNING.
[PRIvATE.I
To James K Polk, President Of the United States,
and nearly half Of Merico certain, scih q pretty
tolerGJle .tair chance yet for the uhole
CITY OF MEXICO DoUBrFuL TER
EIToRY, Fe6raaryl1 1916.
DEAR COLONEL: If any body asks you that i'm
pudent question again, "Whataro we fighting for?'
Jest tell him hes goose and don't know what he's
talking about, for we amt fightin at all we've got
peace now; got an armstice, they call it; 50 there's
no sense at all in their putting that question to you
any more. We've got the opposition fairly on the
hip upon that question, if no otheri fairly gagged
'en; they can't say TO you now, What are we
by trick IEIST has served ua. That fellow has
made Il bargain with the Mexicans to stop the war;
in spite Of the orders you sent to him to come right
home aud let things alone. felt uneasy about it
got orders to come home, and said to him, once or
twice, MIR. Trist, what's the reason you don't go
| Off home and mind the President? This unlawful
boldness OF youm is shameful"
"Why, Major" says he, "he that docs his mas
ters will, does right, whether he goes according to
orders or not. The President sent me out here to
make peace, and it's wonder to me if don't fix 1t
yet, somehow or other, before I've done with it."
And then he put his finger to the side of his nose
and give me a sassy look, as much rs to say, Major
Downing, you better not try to be looking into di-
plomatc things that's too deep for you.
Says |, "Mr Tnst, Pm astonished at YOU
thought you was man Of more judgment, and
looked deeper into things. Don't you see what ad-
vantage it gives the President to let things now stand
jest as they be? He's offered peace to the Next
cans, and they have refused it. Therefore, the OPP
position at home can't cry out against him any
if he goes ahead with the war. He's shot their
mouths up on that score He's made the war popu
,rA- L.. 4
with good chance Of being elected another term.
And now If you go 70 dabbln in the business any
more I'm sure you'll do mischief. As things now
stand, peace IS the last thing in the world that the
President wants. You've done your errand here
and got your answer, and it's turned out lest right;
we can go on with our annexn all Mexico now,
without such an everlasting growfn among the op.
position at home, for we've offered the Mexicans
peace, and they wouldn't take it. So you've nothin
to do now but to be Oil home, for the is Jest in
the right shape as it is"
Well now, after all this plain advico-for felt it
my duty to be plain with him-he still kept hanging
about here, day after day and week after week. and
the first knew we WAS took all a6ack by being
told that Mr.. Irist had made q treaty and General
SCOTT was to order an armistice. coudnth hardly
believe my ears at first. posted right off to Cine
raj Scott TO know what it all meant
"Gincral" says I, care you going to order an ar
misticc?"
eyes, Major Downing" says he: mfr. Trist and
the Mexican Commissioners have signed the prclim-
inales Of treaty, Of course we Shall have an ar
mlstiCe."
"Well now, Gncral," says I, 81 don't think the
President will thank you for that"
"Cau't help that" says he. II must obov the Or
Gcrs of the Government, thanks or no thanks. And
when Mr. Tri5t was sent out here to make Il treaty.
| was directed whenever the plan of treaty should
be signed on both sides, to order arnstice, and
wait for the two Governments to ratity the treaty
Well Mr.. lrst and the Mexican Commissioners
have at last fixed up some kind of bargain and
signed il, and of course according to my orders we
have nothing to do but tosand still and wait furthe
two Governments to clnch the nail.
"But" SAYS l." Gncral, you know Mr. Tri.t has
no right to make a treaty any more than have for
the President has ordered him 10 come homes and
if he has made treaty, it's no better than piece
Of blank paper, and you should mt mind it."
"Don't know anything abdet them matters" saws
he. | can't go behind the curtain to inquire what
little manpuyres are going on between the Presi-
dent and his Commissioner. Mr.. Trist come out
here with his regular commission TO make treaty.
He has brought me treaty, signed by himself and
the Mexican Commissioners; and my orders are to
cease hostilitcs. OF course we can do nothin else
but halt and stack orr arms
Well,' says I, " Gineral it amt right it's
bad business; it II break up this grand an
neXin plan that was Jest going on SO nice that
we might a got through with it in a year or
two more and then it will bother the Presi-
lent most to death about his election for the
second term. That treaty must be stopped
t must mt be sent home; and I'll so right
and see MIR. Trist about it,"
So Off went and hunted up Mr.. Trist, and
rad talk with him. Says l, " Trist how's
his ? They tell me you've been making a
reaty with these NleXicans."
" Shouldn't wonder if had" gays he
that's Jest what come cut here for"
Well, l must say, sir" says I, al think
his is a pretty piece Of business. How do
'ou dare to do such thing? You know the
President has ordered you home"
eyes says he, "and mean to 90 home
IS soon as | get through the job he sent Inc
o do"
"Wel now" says 7, "Trist I claim to
now what the President is about, and what
he wants, and I'm his confidential friend and |
private ambassador out here, and shall take
he liberty to interfere in this business. This
lighhanded doings of yourn must be nipt off
n the bud, What sort Of bargain have
.ou been making? jest let ne look at the
realty"
Can't do it," says he, {" it's half way to
Vera Cruz by this time / sent it off yeStcr-
ay."
Blood and thunder " says I, then you
ave knocked the whole business in the head,
ure enough. You've committed an outrage
us crime, sir, and great shame and don't
on know, sir, that great crimes deserve great
don't know what Col. Polk
,ilI do; but know what my friend old IIick-
ry would do if he was alive; he would hang
on right up to the FIRST tree he could come
+"
"What, hang me for doing Jest what was
emit here to do ?" says he. "For I've made
est such a bargain as the President told me
, make; only lcetle better one"
"That's nothing here nor there" says l,