The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1848-03-24
lflaiOr aatk pOmning.
From he Naiioyql Ilteliigeneer.
Fourth Dcspntch OF Mai, Downing
IPRIvArE.J

To James r.. Polk. PrcsidcRt Of fhe vi
SIafes, and neaIy halt IF Mcrjco GER
fa;n. nth pretty tOierabie. far chance
get for tie rhole,
CRY OF MExleo. DouHrFrL TkRR1oRY,
February, Ii, lSiS.
DEAR CoLoxEL: If any body asks you
that impudent question again, "What
are we fighting fort" jest tell him he's
goose, and dout know what he's talk
ingabout, orweaiat fighting at all; we We |
got peace now; got an arnisiice they call
il; SO there's no sense at all in their put
ting that question to you any more
We've got the opposition fairly on the
hip upon that question, if no olher; fair-l
ly gagged em;they can'tsay to you any
longer now, "What are We fighting forl'
This is some consolation for the shabby
trick Tmsr has served us. That fellow
has made bargain with the Mexicans to
stnp the war, in spite of the orders you
sent to him TO come right home and let
things alone. | felt uneasy about il when
see him hanging about here so long af-
ier he got his orders to come home. and
said to him, once or twice, "NIr Trst.
what's the reason you on'tgo1of home
and mind the President This unlawful
boldness of yourn is shameful.
"Why, Major" says he 'he that does
his masters will, does right, whether he
does according To orders or not. The
President sentme outhere to make peace,
and it's a wonder TO me if don't fix it
yet, somehow or other. before I've done
with it," And he put his finger to the
side of his nose and give me a sassy look
as much as TO say, Major Downing, you
better not try 10 be looking into diplomat.
ic things that's too deep for you.
Says l. "Mr 'rrist, I'm astonshed al
you; thought you was a man of more
judgment, and looked deeper into things
Dom, yon see what advantage it give.
the President TO let things now stand jes
as they be! He's offered peace to the
Mexicans, and they have refused it,
Therefore, the opposition at home cant
cry out against him any more if he goes
ahead with the war. He's shet their
mouths up on that score He's mado the
war popular, and eau go into the Presi.
dental campaign now with good chance
of being elected another term. And
now il you 90 to dabblin IN the business
any more, I'm snre you'll do mischief
AS things now stand, peace is the las
thing in the world that the Presiden
wants. You've done your errand her,
and got your answer, and It's turned on
Jest right; we eau 20 on with our annex
in all Mexico now, without such an ever
lasting growlin among the opposition a
home, for we've offered the MeXicant
peace, and they wouldn't take it. 81
you've nothin to do now but to be OF
home for tho warts jest in the light shape
as it is.
Well now, after all this plain advice
for felt it my duty to be plaiu with hin
he still kept hanging about here, da
after day aud week after week, and til
first knew we was took all aback by be
ing told that Mr.. Trist had made treat
and GincIal Scott was to order an armis
tice. couldn't hardly believe my car
Ut first. posted right off To Gnera
Scott to know what it all meant.
"Gueral," says |, "are you going t
order an armsticel"
"Yes, Major Downing" says he. IN
Trisi and the Mexican Commissioner
have signed the preimnares ola treat,
so of course we shall have all armistice
"Well, now, Gneral." says |, II don
think the President will thank you f
that"
Cant help that" says he, 81 mu
obey The orders oftho Government thanl
or no thanks. And when Mr. Trist wa
sent out here TO make treaty, was d
reoted whenever the plan Of trea,
should bo signed on both sides, to ordt
an armistice, aud wait for the TWO Go,
ernmeuis 10 ratify tho treaty. Well, NJ
Trist and the Mexican Commissioner
have al last fixed up some kind of ba
gain and signed ii, and of course accor,
ing to my orders we have nothing to d
but to stand still and wait for the tw
Governments To cliDch the nail"
But" says !, "Gineral, you know NJ
TriSt has no right to make a treaty an
more than have, for tho President hi
ordered him to come home; aud if he hi
made q treaty, it's no better than pec
of blank paper, aud you shouldn't min
it,"
Don't know any thing about the
Matters" says he 81 can't go behind Il
curtain to inquire what little muneuvo
are going on between the President an
his Commissioner. Mr.. Trist came o
here with his regular commission to max
treaty He has brought me u trca,
signed by himself aud the Mexican Con
mssioners aud my ORDERS are to cea
hostlfties Of course wo can do moth
else but halt and stack our arms"
"Well" says I, "Gineral, il aint rol
it's bad business; it II break IN II
grand aunexin plan that was les, goi
OH so nice TINT we might a got throu
with il in year or two more; aud thor
will bother the President most to dc,
about his election for tho second term
That treaty must be stopped; il mus
be sent homei and ri go right and
Mr.. Trist about it,"
So of went and hunted up Mr.. Tr
aud had talk with him. Says |, "Tr
how's thisl They tell me you have be