The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-03-23
The Correspondence OF Gen Scott and others
with the administration.

The Correspondence OF Gen Scott and others
with the Administration.
(Correspondencs OF the Philsd,lpha North American
WAsHrvoroN, March 20, ls4s
The President communicated in tho House Of Repre-
ssnatives to-day ahugr volume containing the CORE
spondencs between Gen Scott and the War Department
Mr.. Trst aud Mr. Buchanan Gen. Pillow and others
also tho imp lblishej correspondence between General
Taylor and tia Department of War All the Scott Cor
ncs wassubmitted to tho Senate
weeks ago the correspondent Of the Ledger to the con-
oary Notwithstanding and part of IT, to the extent OF
fifty in print has been in possession OF the MEM
bers of that body for about eight days The rest was
r'turned TO have portsnt supprcsssns inserted send
an extract from Gem SCOTS communication othe 2otn Oh
July l647, to confirm what stated in recent letter,
Of his prophecy about being dismissed from the com
mand by the time he entered Mexico if the same feeling
WAS pursued towards him by the administration that
had been practised send also letter from Mr. Trst,
in which he frankly admits his injustice towards Gsn
Scott The whole correspondence which the admins
tration has been careful TO examns with revising and
suppresng hand will be published and then the
country will form its own opinion.
The misunderstanding between Gen. Scott and Mr..
Trist in this way When Mr. Trs arrived at Vera
Cruz he transmitted to Gen Scott sealed packet ed
dressed to thu Nex,an Secretary of Foreign Affairs,
with request that should be forthwith Forwarded to
him. Scott was then at Jalepa. He Immediately
kuowedged this comm iuioation and though no took
exception to being the medium of delivering despstch
the contents Of which he did not understand his real
tor the battle of Cero Goro had adopted tho most vo-
lent DEGREES, declaring that the Executive should not
make armistice He therefore deemed it in
consistent with the honor of the country to send the
packet without direct instructions from the War Depart
ment
At this Mr. Trist took umbrsgs, feeling all the conse
quence Of his dignity and sharp correspondence
'nsued Subsequently, they met, and personal inter
of the 25h of July from which have Cited Gen Scott
expressed his readiness to withdraw from the department
all correspondence touching this unpleasant subjects but
said he, al ask no favor"
The error the part of Mr. Trist in not visiting
Gen Scott In person at the outset and explaining the
object Of lis mission, for which he afterwards
buked by Mr. Buchanan as will appear from the docu
ments Gen Scott was ignorant Of the whole aesign,
tV no
tiae treaty compromising the general power to make
srmisce which might injudciousy exercised,
dered military right and he justly refused to
der it without distinct orders from Washington
The following are tho extracts alluded to-
.PuEsLA July asa is47,
No g. under date 7th inst transmitted copy of let
ter addressed by to Gen Scott under date 26 june
aud his reply to the This constituted the 90 a.
ties with which charged Justcs, TO say nothing
of my own feelings, towards gentleman, and public
servant whose character now believe that had entire
ly misconceived, demands that | should embrace this
early opportunity to say that his whole condu u in this
regard has been characterized by the poorest public spirit
and fidelity and devotion which could not be ruroasscj
to the vsws Of the government in regard to the reora
ton of peace This spirit his part-as will clearly
appear when the details are co pmuncated has mani
tested itself not il passive way merely (as might BIO
supposed from the nature of relative positions and
dutie but in disposition to assume responsibility and
responsibility of the gravest kni in utter disregard OF
consequences to himself And this disposition or rather
this readiness and fixed determination on his part al
late to the discharge Of his military duties strictly speak
ing has not required any appeal from me to elicit it, but
has manifested itself in the most spontaneous and patr
otto manner. Under these circumstances, it could not
but be OF the most serious regret my part
he correspondence between us that took place shortly
after arrival in this country should in any way be
brought to the notice Of the public, and consequently II
in your Judgment consistent with propriety i would
he highly gratifying to me to DO permitted TO withdraw
it from the files Of the department. Yours, very reseect
fully, N. P. TRIsT
EXTRACT frnm Gen. Scops ier 10 he SeorearV of Wdr
PuEBLA, July %, ls47.
The first letter dated (Feb aY received from you
Vera Cruz, contained censure, and am now rebuked
for the uuavoidabo-nsy wise, had not been una
voidable-release parole OF the prisoners taken at
Cerro GorJo, even before word of CONNIE ndation
from government has reached this army, account OF
Il, gallant conduct in the capture Of those prisoners
in regular progression, may, should the same army
CALAMITY bear into the city OF Mexico in the next
eight weeks is probable, if we are not
the service OF my country You will perceive that
sm aware (as have long bcenl of tho dangers which
United States, and we'll know the obligations imposed
under all circumstances, by An enlightened patriotism
Correspondence of the Pha Ledger.l
WAsHINGroN, March 10, le49.
The Scott correspondence has gone in to-day II is
not interesting as The public has right to
pect and hall dozen letters embrace all that is in the
least legree amusing and striking II would if
General Scott had been very much put out with Nh.
Trists mission which he looked upon from the jump as
intended to humiliate him. He OBJ acted to tho seaed
pack age from the State Department. which he was or
dered to forward to the Mexican Secretary for Foreign
Clerk in the state Department. tell him when to
clude armistice with the enemy. All the letters
written him by the Secretary of War could not
pose his mind and he speaks of Mr.. Trst in e better
style than il he were Introducing the name OF noo-
rous pckpocket "The Clerk in the State Department"
to have haunted him. and no thanks his stars that
the President has not himso far to associate
him with Don Nicholas in the negotiations.
MIR. Trist, in return, did not spare Gen. Scott in his
letters to the State Department which are choice cir
cumstanal, and exquisitey impairment: FIRST to the
General and after his recall TO tho Presdenhimse.
Mr. Trst not to be heade either By the General
commanding in Mexico, nor by the COMMANDMENT chief
of the army.
General scott received of his notes, reply from
Mr. rrst averaging thirty psge9, which the hero OF
Cerro Gorao calls a arago of insoence conceit aud
rogsnce and which he only encoses to the Secretary
of War; as 10 specimen OF diplomatic literature aud
manners" How Scott and Trist, after all this could
have together and co-operated In bringing about
the treaty, is matter of surprise and astonshment
Certain 1t Is however that Tris not Scott yielded the
point, aud that Scott had in the sequel TO do
aounoe Trist worse than Marat Danon and st Just
1t would seem. however from this group of revolution
Frenchmen ia Ger SCOTS letter tina Gen Scott is
not cgressive democrat for while he is denoun
cling st Just the principles of equality strongly and
let add eoquently asserted by him. are again IN the
ascendant in France. SaLut ct fraternite