Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-02-17

"a
ten in reply to the structures Of the War Depart.
ment on his celebrated letter to Gen. Gaines
having been called for by Congress, has been
published, and is given below -
headquarters Of The Army Of Occupdtion,
AGuE NuEvA, March Sd, l947.
have had the honor TO receive your com
munication of January 81, enclosing a news
paper slip, and expressing the regret Of the De
partment that the letter copied in that slip, and
which was addressed by myself to Maj. Gener'
al Gaines, should have been published. Al
though your letter does not convey the direct
censure Of the Department and the Pres'den,
yet, when II was taken in connection with the
revival Of the paragraph in the regulations Of
1928 touching the publication OF private Letters
concerning operations in the field, ain not per-
mitted to doubt that have become a subjec,
of Executive disapprobaiion To any express
ion Of Ii, coming with the authority ofthe Presi-
didn't, am bound by my duty and by respect
for his high l.ice, patiently TO submit but
lest my silence should be construed into tacit
admi 5sion Of the grounds and conclusions set
forth in your communication, deem 1t duty
which own to myself TO submit a few remarks
in reply.
shall be pardoned for speaking plainly
In the first place, the published letter bears
upon lis face the most conclusive evidence that
it was intended only for private perusal, and
not at all for publication. 1t was published
without my knowledge, and contrary TO my
wishes. Surely, need not say, that am not
in the habit of writing for the newspapers
The letter was a familiar one, written TO an
old military friend, with whom ] have been
for many years interchangng opinions on pro-
fessional subjects. That he should think prop
er, under any circumstances, TO publish It,
could not have been forescen by Inc. In the
absence OF proof that the publication was made
without my authority or knowledge, may be
permitted to say, the quotation IN your letter
of the G50h paragraph OF the superseded regu-
lailous of 1925, in which the terms " mlschle-
vous and ds,raceiul" are employed 10 charac-
terizc certain letters or reports, conveys, though
not openly, measure of rcbuke which, 10 say
the least, is rather harsh, and which many
think not warranted by the premises.
! Again have carefully examined the letter
in question, and do not admit that II is obnox-
ious 10 the objections urged in your communl-
cation. see nothing IN it which, under the
same circumstances, | Would not write again
1 TO suppose that il VIII give the enemy valuab,
information touching our posts or respective
line of operation, is to know very little OF the
Mexican sources of information, or Of their
extraordinary sagacity and facilities IN keeping
constantly apprised of our movements. As TO
my particular views in regard TO the general
policy to be pursued towards Mexico, | per-
ceve from the public journals that they are
shared by many distinguished statesmen also,
in part, by conspicuous officers ofihe navy,
the publication of whose opinions Is not. per-
! haps, obs,ructed by any regulations of the De-
partment 1t is difficult, then, 10 imagine how
the diffusion of mlnc can render any peculiar
aid TO the enemy, or specially dlslncIlne him to
enter into any negotiations for peace.
| In conclusion,l would say II has given me
great pain to be- brought into the position IN
which now find mys,l If in regard to the De
par,ment of War, and the Government. II
has not been of my own seeking. 10 the
extent of my abilities and the means placed AT
nv disposal, hayc sour'lt faithfully To serve
the country, by carryinr out the rules and IN
structions of the Execuuve but II cannot be
concealed that since the capltulatlon of Mon
tcrey, the confidence of the Department, and,
too much fear, of the President, has been
gradually Withdrawing, and my consideration
and usefulness correspondlngly diminished
The apparent determination OF the Department
TO place me in an attitude antagonlstlcaI to the
Government, has an apt illustration in the well
known fable of 1,sop. ! ask no favor, and
shrink from no responsibility, while entrusted
with the command in this quarter. shall con-
tinue to devote all my energies 10 the public
good, looking for my reward to the conscious
ness of pure motives, and to the final judgment
of impartial history. am, sir, your very obt
servant. H. TAYLOR.
MAJ. GEN. L. S. A., Commanding
For lion. W. l.. Marcy, N,cntTy Of War.
Washington, ID. {.