Evansville weekly journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 184?-18??, 1848-03-09


Hon. WIN. NJ. Cooke, of Tennessee Hon ], B.
THOMPSON of Kentucky, and others. The re-
marks these gentlemen were received with
great enthusiasm.
In the course of the remarks made by Mr.
Barrow, he read the following letter from Gen.
Taylor.
GENERAL TAYLORS LETTER To THE
HON. JOSEPH Z. INGERSOLL.
HEAD QUARTERS ARMY OF OcCUHATIoN,
CAMP NEAR MONTEREY Mex. Aug. 3l847.
Hon. X. hgersoH--
Dear Sir-l have the pleasure to acknow-
ledge the receipt oil your esteemed letter of the
9Th ullimo, which has just reached me, in
which YOU say, Il had the honor of being call |
ed on last evening to address mass meeting of
the Wings OF The city and county of Philadel |
phla. Al thai NEE TIM your name was out in con-
nectiOn with the office of Chief Magistrdcy Ii
stated To- that meeting, as had before stated |
in my place in the House of Representatives
at Washington, that you were Whig-not |
| indeed an ultra partizan Whig-but Wing in |
principle" All of which is entirely correct;
aud alter the discussion which occurred in both
houses Of Congress at the last session, growing
out of the capitulation of Monterey, in which
discussion you thought proper TO defend my
conduct in regard to that transaction, hen as
w
in The House of which you were membef-forI
/ which you have my sincere tlanks-which was
dom in such way by those who disa approved
i that measure, l can hardly imagine holo anyl
one lChO a1aS present and heard the speeches on
Il that occasion or read them after they mere pub
Lished, could well mistake the complexion of
my politics.
Al the last Presidential canvass, without in
tererlng in any way with the same twas we'll
OaIl III I /
Democrats, for had no cOncealm 'nts in the
matter. that | was decidedly in favor of Mr.
Clay's election, and would now prefer seeing him
in that Office to any individual III the Union;
certainly much more SO al any time TO myself
indie pendent of his great talents and long ex-
perience in government affairs, | consider his
views and those Of The Wings, for tn most part
are more easily assimilated regards political
metters to those of MIR. Jefferson than their OPP
ponents-in whose political creed was rear-
ed, anl whose opinions in mItters of state
have never lost Sight of. as well as endeavored
10 conform TO them R4dr as circumstances
would permit. My commission Lieuten-
ant in the Army was conf rred BY him, short
time before he retired from public life.
; Although no one can Apr, clate NOR highly
than do the TOO favorable opinion 1 fear you
have formed as regards my fitness for the first
civil office in our country (Which | consider,
H.,
; periment,) as we'll as duly grateful for your
aid In bringing me SO promptly before the ma
ton for the office in question, yet cannot per
nit the pr; sent opportunity to pass by without
repeating to you what have said to others in
respect TO the Presidercy-which is, that | am
no politician. Near fotty years OF nay life have
been passed in tn military service of the re-
pubic, nearly the whole of which in the field.
: the camp. on our Western frontier and i'll the
Indian territory, may we'll say constantly on
duty; the two last in Mexico, or on its imnle
diate border; during which time | have not
passed one night under the roof of house.
You may, therefore, very readily suppose,
under such circumstances, have had but little
time TO devote to the consideration or inves-
tigation of great political questions or ubjeCts,
or 10 their discussion, nor have l attempted TO
do so, or to be mixed up with political men or
: measures in any way, not even having voted
: for one of our Chief Magistrates since | joined
. the army, having for the most part been
wing or stationeLb yoni the limits of the
States must say have no wish for the Pres
idency, and cannot consent TO be exclusively
. the candidate of party. And if am one at
, ALL or to be made so at the coming election, ii
= must be borne i'll mind that have been, or will
Il be made 50 b. 9th RS, without any agency of
nlinr in the matter
. Independent of my wishes. | greatly doubt
; my want of the Necessary qualifications TO dis
charge the duties properly, of an offl'e WHICH
! !, was filled and adorned by Washington, a
:" Jefferson, as we'll as several 9th rs of the pu-
rest, wispst ana most accomplished statesman
- AMI patriots of this or any other age or country.
e aim lst tremble at the thoughts If the UNI
u u d.rlaking. Yet, if tn good people think prop
- er TO eevete me at the proper TIM, 10 the
l9 highest office in tn r gift, will feel bound IL
., serve tn m. if not from inclination, from a
~ princirl of duty. ami Will do so honestly and
:! faithfully to thu best of my ability, i'll accord
% ance with the -inclples of the Constitution.
" as near as can do SO. as 1t IUds construed and
- acted on bu our first Presidents. two of whom
Is al least acted So conspicuous part in aiding
II in completing that instrument, as we'll as put
. ting it in operation.
n But very many important changes may taxi
d d place at home aud abroad between now and
l.' the time for holding the election for next
% Chief Magistrate; SO much so as To make 1t d =
- sirdble for the gen raj good that some one with
more exp rence IN State affairs, should b. Sc
" lected candidate. than myself AMI could
d he be elected, | will not say would yeild m,
y pret+nsons for have not the vanity 10 believe
o' have any for that distinguished station, bu
u r would acquiesce, not only with pleasure, il
vi such an arrangement, but would rejoice tha
L - the Republic had one citiz n worthy an,
Il tier qualified than am to discharge the i'm
= portdnt duties appertalnlng 10 that position
~ AMI no doubt there are thousands.
q B. this as it may, if ever occupy the White
ne nc House, it must be by the Spontaneous move
~ m-nt of the people, without any action Of min'
II in relation to it; without pledges othtr than
1' have previously stated; strict adherence t.
u to the provisions of the Constitution: SO that
u could enter on the arIuous AMI rPs 1onslbe du
OF ties appertaining TO sail offiae untrammelled
us that could be the President of the country ant
al not of party.
III With considerations of great respect and es
u TEEN, RIM lin your o5elient servant.
(Signed) q. TAYLOR,
,ur -----