Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-06-16

| ties and National gooo W0ulQ DC my eiedl duu
absorbing aim.
Sentiments such as these have been the burden
of my replies 10 all who have addressed me on
this subject, expressing the assurance that BY the
| spontaneous and unanimous roice OF the people
| aLnne and from no agency OF my own, can be
Withdrawn from the cherished hopes OF private
retirement and tranquility when peace Shall re-
| turn.
Please accept, with this, my brief reply, the
warm appreciation and high consideration OF
Yours most sincerely, q. TAYLOR,
| MAJOR Gen. U. S. A.
! CAMP NEAR MONTEREY, MEXICO,
| June g. l847
| Dear Sir: Your letter OF the 18th ull, from
Clinton, La has just reached me, in which you
are pleased to say, 'lhe signs OF The times in rela.
| lion TO the next Presidency, and the prominent
position of your name in connection with il, is
sufficient excuse for this letter." That sit is
happy feature in our government that omcial
funclionaries under il, from the lowest 10 The
highest station, are not beyond The reach and par
,ial supervision Of The humblest citizen, and that
it is RICH, inherent in every freeman to possess
himself Of The political principles and opinions OF
those into whose hands the administration OF The
government, may be placed" &C., TO all of which
fully coincide with you in opinion. Asking
my views on several su'jscts, First. As 10 the
Justice and the necessity OF this war with Mexi.
co on our part. Second As TO The necessity OF
national bank, and The power OF Congress Tor ere.
ating such an institution. Third. AS 10 the Ell
feels of high protective tariff, and the righi oil
Congress under the Constitution 10 create such
| system of revenue" As regards the hfst inter-
rueatory. nv duties and The position occupy,
10 moi cn~-:i~. It would he prnner in ME Ia give
any opinion in regard 10 The same; as a cihZcn,
and particularly as a soldier, il 10 suhicient ior
| me to know that our country is at war with To-
reign nation to 90 all in my power 10 bring II 10
speedy and honorable termination, by the most
vigorous and cnerse,ic operations, without IN
curing about its justice, or any thing else con
nected with it; believing, do, it is Our wisesl
policy to be at peace with all the world, as long
as it can be done, without endangering lbe honor
and interests Of the country. As regards the
second and third inquiries. am no, prepared 10
| ansper them; could only do so after duly in
yestigating those subjects, which cannot now
do; nv whole time being fully occupied in at
tending 10 my proper official duties, which must
| no, be neglected under any circumstances; ano
must say to you in substance what have said
to Others in r gard to similar matters, that
am no politician. Near forty years Of my life
have been passed in the public service. in the
army most of which in the field, The camp, on
our Western frontier, or in the Indian country;
and for nearly the two last in this or Texas du
ring which time I have not passed one night
under the roof Of house. As regards being a
candidate for the Presidency at the coming
election, | have no aspirations IN that way,
and regret the subject has been agitated at this
early d y, and that it had no, been deferred un
iii the close Of this war, or until the end of the
next session Of Congress, especially if am TO
be mixed up with it, as il is possible it may lead
| -, IF fhp puhIIr Gpryicp this
quarter, BY nv operations being embarrassed,
as well a. to produce much excitement in
the country growing out Of the discussion
Of the merits, SC, of the different aspi
rants for that high Office, which might
have been very much alayed, if not pre-
vented. had The sublec been deferred, as sug
geset; besides very manv changes may take
place between now and 1919, so much so, as 10
| make il desirable Tor The interest OF the country
that some other individual than myself, better
qualified Tor the situation, should be selected; and
could he be elected, would mol only acquie>ce
in such an arrangement, bot would rejoice that
The republic had one citizen, and no doubt there
are thousands, more deserving than am, and
better qualified 70 discharge the duties oi said Of
fice II have been named by others and con-
sdered candidate Tor the Presidency, i'll has been
nv no agency al mine in the matter; and u Inc
good people think my services impoftan, in that
station and elect me- will feel bound to serve
them, and all the pledges and explanations can
enter into and make, as regards this or that poll
cy is, that will do so honestly and faithfully 10
The best OF my abilities, strictly in compliance
wi,h he constitution. Should | ever occupy the
White House, II must be BY The spontaneous
move of The people, and by no act Of mine, SO
mat I could go into The Office untrammelled and
be the chief magistrate OF The nation, and no, OF
a parry.
and opinions between this and The time OF hold.
ing The election and cast their votes for the Pre-
sidency for some one else, will not complain.
With considerations Of respect, ! remain your
obi serv't, q. TAYLOR.
P.s. Iwrile in great haste and under con.
slant interruption.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF OCCUPATION,
Camp near Monterey, Mex, June 81, l647
Sir: have the honor to acknowledge, with
sentiments of high qualification, the receipt OF a
copy ofihe resolutions recently adopted at meet
ing Of The Democratic Wings Of the county Of
Mercer, New jersey.
My thanks are especially due to my friends Of
the State of New Jersey for their f4uering ex-
preston of approval and esteem, and which, lean
assure them, is as truly reciprocaed.
embrace this occasion 10 remark, that, il the
people of the country desire 10 place me in the
high Office Of chief magis'racy, DO not feel my
self a, liberty to refuse; but on the contrary, in
that position, as we'll as one more humble, II will
ever be my pride and constant endeavor TO serve
the country with all The ability possess.
Please convey these, my thanks and brief &C.
acknowledgements, TO the citizens OF the county oil
Mercer. wish them and yourself much pros
perty and happiness.
With great respect, remain,
Your most obedieni servant,
| Z. TAYLOR,
Major General U. s Army.
Dr.. JOHN T. CLARK, Secretary OF public meeting,
Trenton, New jersey.