Evansville weekly journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 184?-18??, 1848-08-24
June, 1913
\ ours respectfully,
JOSEPH WHITE.

SIR:-You are no doubt aware that / held
the Office of Chaplain of the U. S. Army, about
six years, being stationed al Fort Jesup, La,
and that while at that extreme Southern post
| was in daily acquaintance with Brig. Gen. L.
Taylo
| presume it is on this account that you
propose to me some questions touching the
views of that distinguished individual. | am
willing to reply. not because am politician
or have any personal interest in his nomina-
ton for the Presidency-but because am un-
der lasting obligations 10 that honest, noble
hearted man-and | would gladly correct some
of the grossest mistakes that are ahoat
concerning his character.
In politics, Gen. Taylor is a WH1G-in re-
ligion. strictly orihodox-but in neither is he
extreme maintaining his we'll founded opinions
with the calm decision which he manifested
on the field of battlel
With regard TO slavery and extension of ter
ritory, | assure you that neither by slave
market nor any other object, was Gen. Taylor
in favor of conquest and annexation. He was
mot in favor of receiving Texas into our Union
nor in favor of the recent war with Mexico
The only evidence OF his being 10 favor of sla-
very, that ever saw or heard of, was the fact,
that he did what every man at the South must
do, if he would have servants, viz: either own
or hire slaves. | do we'll remember, that a
part at least, OF the colored people living in bis
family; could read we'll and were very plous
| never heard word from the General in favor
of the slave system, but on the contrary, his
decided preference for the institutions and Gus
toms of the North.
! 1t is pity that General Taylor should bt
made out pro-slavery man, because his gov
eminent keeps him at the south. or for th'
wrong of allowing his plantation to be on The
Mississippi, instead of the banks of the Con
necticut We are allowed to hang no man up
on an inference.
i assure you, that if elected, he will do NOR.
for peace and emancipation, than any NorthefI
man would be allowed to do.
Gen. Taylor maintains on all occasions, tht
habit of total abstinence from all intoxlcatin:
drinks--and to this he has ascribed robus
health amidst the swamps and campaigns o
Florida and Mexico. | would also assure you
that nothing could be more unjust and ultrue
than that he is profane man-it Is false alto
gether. He is bright exception to the com
mon practice of profaneness i'll the army.
Gen. Taylor is the decided friend of Chris
tianity and Christian institutions. He was
regular attendant on public worship in thu
garrison, accompanied by his accomplished la
dy and daughter.
Mrs Taylor is lady of fine appearance AM
agreeable manners, and consistent pfofesso
of religion. As family, they appeared to OBJ
serve the Sabbath as religious duty.
The General took deep interest in the wei
fare ofall under his command. No man eve
had the confidence of troops more than he
and it was not his courage, kindness, and dis
cipline alone-but his interest in the temper
al and spiritual welfare of the men, that en-
deared him to the army. Of the more thai
six hundred men-reformed drunkards-onc
at Fort Jesup-alowed the benefit of the Ii
brary reading room and every privilege consis
tent with military life-many obtained thei
discharge before entering Texas, and returned
to their friends and homes, and these, with al
that shared with their commander in confllc
and victory will ever remember him and low
him." Yours truly.