The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-02-12


WAsHINGToN, Feb,3.
ENATE.-Numerou petitions were
presented and private bills passed.
The Ten Regiment bill coming up in or
der, Mr. Bell resumed his speech, charging
the Administration with having no intention
10 make a treaty with the present Mexican
Government, but intending 10 create new
one with which TO negotiate.
Mr. Jefferson Davis interrupted him, and
stated that, for his part, he was willing and
ready to give his consent to any fair Treaty
of Peace that might he concluded with the
present Mexican Government. He would
he satisfied with the Sierra Madre as the line
of boundary.
Mr. Bell replied that he Mr. Davis enter
toined views at variance with those of the |
Executive and the friends and supporters Of
the Administration.
HOUSE.-The House of Representatives,
aler transacting some unimportant business,
resumed the consideration of the resolution
directing the reference of the Presidents
Annual Message TO appropriate Committees.
Mr. Smith delivered spirited speech in
opposition to the Administration.
MIR Vinton having Obtained the floor, closed
the debate by calling for the previous ques-
ton.
The call was sustained, and the main ques-
ton ordered.
Mr. Wilnot's amendment, relative TO di-
rect tax of five millions of dollars per annum,
was rejected.
Mr. Yinton's original resolution preference
was adopted.
WASHINGTON, Feb. H.
SEN .ATE.-The bill amending the act
passed July 4th, 1886, granting half pay to
ghe widows and orphans oithe husbands and
fathers who died of wounds received in the
service ofthe Unied States, was taken up.
1t was debated by EJessrs Niles, johnson
of Louisiana, Dix ofNeW York, and finally
laid over.
The Ten Regiment Bill coming up, Mr.
Sewer took the floor, and defended tie policy |
ofthe administration and the action ctEe
President
HGUSE.-A ,lnessage from the President
was received and read. 1t was reply to the
resolution the House calling for copy of
Gen. Taylors letter in reply to the letter of
the Secretary Of War of 9th January, 1Si7.
The President communicated the copy re-
quired which was read rs follows
GENERAL TAYLOR'S LETTER TO
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
Aqua NUEvA, March 3D., IS47.
have had the honor to receive your com
munication of January 81, inclosinS a news
paper slip, and expressing the regret of the
Department that the latter copied in that slip
and which was addressed by myself 10 Major
General Gaines, should have been published
Though your letter does not convey the d.
rect censure Of the Department and the Pres
ident yet, when taken in connection with the
revival of The paragraph in The regulations
of 1925, touching the publication of private
letters concerning operations in the field,
am not permitted to doubt that have be-
come subject of Executive disapprobation.
10 any expression oft, coming with the au-
tLority of the President, am bouud by my
duty and respect for his high office. patiently
to submit but lest my silence should be
construed into a tacit admission OF the
gOunds s. conclusions set forth in your COM 3
munication, deem it duty which l owe 10 {
myself, to submit II few remarks in reply {
shall be pardoned for speaking plainly
In the first place, the published letter bears {
upon its face the most conclusive evidence {
That 1t was intended only for private pertsal
and not AT all for publication. 1t was published 5
without my knowledge and contrary to my
wishes. Surely,I need not say that / am not
IN the habit of writing for the newspapers t
The letter was familiar oue written to an |
old military friend, with whom have been
Tor many years interchnngng opinions on {
Wotesslonal subjects. That he should think |
proper, under any circumstances, to publish {
It, could not have been foresecn by me. In {
The absence of proof that publication was
made with my authority or knowledge, ] may
be permitted to say, the quotation ofyour letter
ofthe 650th paragraph ofthe superseded reg
regulations of 1925, in which the terms 'mis- t
cheyous aud disgracelul" are employed to
certain letters or reports, conveys n
though not openly, measure of rebuke, ,
which TO say the least is rather harsh, and ,
which many think not warranted by the '
premises.
Again. have carefully examined the letter {
Ill question: and do not admit that it is OBJ {
noXious to the objections urged in your COM
,nunlcation. / see nothing in it which, I'M :
der the same circumstances, would DOT write {
again. To suppose that it will give the enc t
my valuable information touching our posts I
or prospective line of operations, is to know t
very little of the Mexican sources ofiuforna- c
Hon, or of their extraordinary sagacity and |
facilities in keeping constantly appraised OF
'df movements. AS to my particular views
IN regard to the general policy to be pursued
towards Mexico, perceive from the public
Journals that they are shared by many dis o
lngushed statesmen; also, in part, by con- d
sPicuous officers of the navy, the publication C
oil whose opinions is not, perhaps, INSTRUCTED d
Dy any regulations of the department. 1t is 7
dlihcuit, then to imagine how the diffusion a
Oh mine can reuder any peculiar aid to the c
enemy, or specially disincline him to enter Il
INTO negotiations for peace. L
In conclusion, would say,it has given me l.
great pain TO be brought into the position in t
which now find myself in regard to the de- q
partment of war, and the government. 1t
has not been of my seeking. To the extent O
OF my abilities and the means placed at my u
disposal, have sought faithfully to serve the G
country, by carrying out the rules and in
structlons of the Executive; but it cannot be
concealed. that since he oa intimidation ofM on