Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-07-19
GEN. TAYLOR.

An intelligent occasional writer in the N. York
CouIler and Enquirer gives the following extracts
OF letter from the Hon. John c. Spencer who
while Secretary of War, was necessarily brouobt
into frequent communications with Gen. TavIor
winch gives more just idea of his civil oualifica
lions Than perhaps any thing that our readers have
before seen
"You ask me to communicate the opinion. which
you understand has been expressed by me in refer
erence TO The attachments of Gen. Taylor, derived
from his correspondence with the War Department
curing Inc time 1t was in my charge. 1t is yery
true, have often stated my high opinion NOT only
or the sound judgment and UNSURPASSED dissertation
OF General Taylor, but also of his capacty "a :,
writer; and when doubts were cast upon the an
thorshlP of the admirable dispatches which came
from MEXICO under his name, declared unequvo-
carly my therOugn conviction that he was the all
thor OF them. And stated my reasons for this
conviction; that his official letters and other cam
Hunlcatlons which had fallen under nv observa
ZION contained the same condensed vigor of THOUGHT
ana expression, the same peculiarities of STYLE and
beauty, and force of language that characterized bis
mexican dispatches; and that, from circumstances
personally known 10 me, | was certain that he
could not have had the aid in writing the letters
and communications referred to, which some of tho
newspapers alleged had been rendered TO him in
Mexico. This opinion now deliberately reiterate.
You and know perfectly well that persons who
are In the habit OF literary composition can detect
the style, manner OF thought, and turn of express
sion OF writer, after having been acquainted with
some OF his productions, with certainty at least
equal to that with which an expert in penmanshp
can decide upon the signature Of one whom he has
seen write his name.
81 do not mean to deny that Gen. TAYLOR. like
General Washington, and like every other modest
man, may have had the aid of literary friend in
looking over his dispatches, written as thew must
nave been, under great excitement and sometimes
In haste; and that friend may have erased redun-
dant word or phrase, or rounded a period. If this
be evidence OF lncapacity, who shall escape? II
Is notorious that the writings Of Washington, and
particularly his Farewell Address, underwent the
revision Of Gen. Hamilton ; and that the MESSAGES
and public communications of every other Presi-
dent have always been subjected to the critical ex-
animation OF his Cabinet. Indeed | do not hest
tate 10 say that the men who will submit important
public papers to the public scrutiny without the re-
VISION oil friend, when it be obtained, will O.
vince more presumption than good sense.
FOR forty years Gen. Taylor has been in the
hiild'y service OF the country; more than thirty
years oil the time In garrisons and at posts where
IN time of peace he has had abundant leisure
Ills habits are admitted all sides to be exempla
fy, and he to be any thing but an ndolept man
What, then, have probably been his occupations
during the tedious days, weeks, months. and wears
OF garrison duty? The answer TO the question
may be found In the rich, manly, and condensed
thought that makes his compositions models of e.
Pistolary writing. And it may be found in the sio
nlficant fact stated by the veteran Gen Gibson 10
Mr.. Critenden, and by him proclaimed at Pitts
burg, that he had been for many years associated
with Gen. Taylor in military service, and freouent
~ on courts martial and Of inquiry with him. and
mat Zen. Taylor ARRAYS dreD up The procecdings
and reports Of Mc courts. Men accustomed to bn-
slness will see the full force of this factu