The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-03-26

bring the existing with Mexico to speedy and hon
orabe conclusion, was to be the signal for the temlna
uon OF hostilues As the negoator OF the treaty. from
his position, must necessarily be first informed of this
event, he was required, wilhout delay 10 communicate
the fact 10 the commanders of land and naval forces
respectively All the rest was left 10 the instructions
issued by the Secretaries OF War and of the Navy
military and naval commanders Up to this last moment
your duties were wholly unconnected with General Scott,
and then they were limited to Official communlca
uon that the Mexican government had concluded and
ratified treaty OF peace with the United States.
Under these circumstances, was with deep regret that
the President earned from your letter TO the general OF
the goth OF May that you had undertaken in his name,
to become the medium OF giving to that officer order
IN advance TO be executed when you should think proper
again to deliver INTO his hands my communication to the
Mexican minister for foreign affairs; and enforce
obedience TO this ORDER you declare that for this special
purpose you stand in precisely the same relation to the
President that one OF his ads-de camp bears himself
when intIusted with verbal order from him to his sub
ordinate officer.
1t is most dsagreeable task thus to criticise your
conduct General Scott, by his letter you of the 7h
OF May last, had placed himself clearly in the wrong
Whether any pretext existed for writing such letter.
justification he could have had none.can only appear
was response II is, therefore, much to be regretted
that you have kept no copy OF this letter. which has
become SO mportan and the general has not furnished
the War Department with copy.
purposely toibear to express any opinion of your
ply to Gen Scott of the 9th of May until shall have
entire copy Of it before me- and his reonder to you Of
War, TO whom he is directly responsible.
Your MISSION was mere precautionary measure. In
the then existing relations between the two countries the
President could not have appointed public commissioners
to treat with Mexico because it morally certain they
would not be received AT the same time it oreseen
that, IN the progress OF favorable juncture
might occur for the conclusion of treaty. which, if not
seized at the moment, might not again speedily
turn. The President would have been nexcusable had
he not provided for such contingency. For this pur-
pose you were employed confidential agent to pro-
coed to the headquarters OF the army with the proe of
treaty already prepared and in case the Mexican govern
men should refuse to conclude this treaty. you
horzed TO make the necessary preliminary arrangements
for the meeting of commissioners 1t was almost essen
tai to the success OF your MISSION that you should cu
uvate good understanding with the
OF the army II was therefore, unfortunate that you had
person delivered to him the dispatches with which
you were lnrusted and al the time made him fully
acquainted with the character and objects of your
son. well as with the nature of communication to
the Mexican minister of foreign affairs For these
sons, therefore, although the letter Of Gen. Scott
well calculated TO rrtaie your feelings and excite your
Indignation you would have best performed your duty
your country had you stfed your resentment, and in
trusted your vndcaion to the Secretary of War acting
under the order of the President Indeed, for this pur-
pose, the letter required no studied reply. 1t u.s. its
face the production of unfounded jealousy which the
thors sober reflection, If left to itself, would most
probably have corrected.
The President trusts that this, in obedience to my
instructions of the l4th uimo (of which transmit
YOU Duplicate you have called upon General Scott and
communicated to him the instructions and proet of rea-
ty with which you have been ntrused and that if
friendly relations have not been restored neither you
lie VIII your personal ue1eat or 10 delay
the conclusion Of treaty of peace with Mexico
Yours, very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.
| N p TRIsT, esq, &c. &c, &c.
Extract
Mr. Ty1a to Mr. Buchanan
| mo 81 PuEBLA July %, ls47.
! SIR:
| In my No. s. under date the It'll inst transmitted
copy of letter addressed by TO General Scott under
date 25h of June, and his reply the same This con
sltuted the commencement of official intercourse
with reference to the duties with which | am charged
Justce-to say nothing of my own feelings towards
gentleman and public servant, whose character now
believe that had entirely that
should embrace this early opportunity say, that his
whole conduct in this regard has been characterized BY
the pures public spirit and fidelity and devotion which
could not be surpassed to the views Of the government
regard to the restoration of peace This spirit
part, will clearly appear when the details are commu-
ncaed has manifested ITSELF not in passive way mere
ly las might be supposed from the nature of rea-
tive positions and duties) but in disposition assume
responsibility, and responsibility of the gravest kind
in utter disregard of consequences to himself And
this disposition rather this readiness and fixed deter
mnaton on his part, although the occasion which has
called II forth did not relate to the discharge of his mill
tay duties, strictly speaking has required any appeal
from me TO elicit it, but has manifested itself in the
spontaneous and patriotic Under these circum-
stances, 1t could not but be of the most serious
my par If the correspondence between u.s. that
took place shortly after my arrival this country, should
in any way be brought to the notice of the public land
consequently II IN your judgment consistent with pro-
TO withdraw it from the files OF the department
am, sir, very respectfully, your obedent servant,
n p. TRIST.
Hon. JAMES BUCHANAN. Secretary of State
'Th. despatch ha, been received a, the Depart
ment of State.