The primitive Republican. (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-1852, 1852-10-14
w ratohez Courier and the White Letter


Tha Pierce papers have been parading for
some time back a letter written in 1886
from Col. j. M. White, --then Delegate in
Gonoross from Florida, in which he request
ed the removal of Gen Scott frome the COM
mand in that State, and have been asserting
that that request was granted, and Gen. Scott
withdrawn by Gen. Jackson. The state
ment has been made in several Mississippi
papers and Col. Whites letter published
I. What will be thought of the respect these
papers pay to truth and justice, when we
tell them that six months after Col. White
wrote the letter alluded to, he made full
and ample retraction of it, and wrote anoth-
er requesting that the first might be with
drawn. as he had satisfied himself upon fur
ther information, and on full and impartial
review of all the facts and circumstances,
that Gen. Scott was not in the slightest de-
gree to blame!
What will be further thought of the jus
tice OF this attack, when We say that Scott
was not Withdrawn from the command on ac-
count of this White letter, but in conse-
quence of private intrigue of another Off
Ger with the notorious I. p. Blair, which
came to light before the Court of Inquiry
that sat upon that case, and which was Sc
verely censured in its decision.
That Court was held at Gen. SCOTS spe-
cial instance who invited the severest scru-
tiny into his own conduct. 1t rendered a
finding in favor of Gen. Scott on every point
approving of his plans and arrangements,
and Acquiring him of all blame.
With reference to this finding, Thomas
Ritchle, editor of the Richmond Enquirer,
whose fealty to the democratic party was and
is undoubted, remarked in that paper OF
Feb 1887, as follows:
"But we have no doubt of the ultimate
and honorable acquittal of Winfield Scott
We trust to receive such sentence from the
hands of Gen. jackson himself We hope
he may be able to present it among the last
glorious acts Of his administry. Let nc
man tell us that he is actuated by private re-
sentiments towards Gen. Scott. We will
listen to no such suggestion. His enemies
may say it, but VIC will not believe it.
owe trust all will yet be well. We trus
that fuU justice icW be done to the gdHdn
Scot-but if the President himself does
motif that distinguished man has not the
time nor the impressions necessary to rend
er the full tribute to his merits and services
we will then repeat with Mr. Rives, who de
clared in the Senate, on Friday last, that
I" as to the reputation Of Gen. Scott, 1t ,cG'
a prominent part Of our national history
At constituted great portion Of the mora
riches Of the State, 1rhich he (Mr. Il. hac
the honor to represent. He felt proud o
/ that reputation, and he Lelieped ibhdteveI
might be the decision Of the President, tia
tie nation ,oould do hin, justice"
To the Columbus Republican, which pub
lished the White letter and the allegation
first referred to, we particularly refer thes
facts of the case That paper must havr
sadly changed within year or two, if it i
not disposed to correct it's own errors, ant
make amends for injustice and wrong.
We copy the above for what it is wortl
from the Natchez Courier, and will dispos
of it in a few words. We did publish as
part of the record of the Florida war, Col
Whites letter requesting the withdrawal o
General Scott. We did so because the Ian
guage of the letter was courteous, and it
whole spirit liberal and kind towards Scott
fame as a soldier One of the chief reason
for the desired removal of Scott was tn
want of harmony between him and the loca
authorities, and the bad temper which h
displayed in his insulting language toward
the population of Florida. Whether or nc
Col. White ever revoked his request fC
SCOTS removal, or whether the latter di
conduct the campaign judieiously, win til
Courier deny that Scott did in "his publish
ed orders" use most improper and insultin
language towards the people of Florida
That is the point with US. His generalshi
nobody disputes his bad temper and not,
rious indiscretion was displayed in Florida
as every where else, whatever may have bee
his military conduct.
It will be perceived that the article .fror
the Courier is made up of many assertions
all of which if true, are matter Of record
He quotes Mr.. Ritchie's opinion whic
amounts to just nothing Comparatively, an
barely refers to alleged matters of recOr
which if produced would have at least Wind
Gated Scott's military campaign in Florid
against both private intrigue" and publ
accusation. The indiscreet and impr9den
bearing of Gen. Scott towards the people {
Florida would have still remained. Admit
ting all the assertions of the Courier to b
true, they only vindieate SCOTS generalshiE
: and do not touch the important question q
those personal imperfectiOns and'frailties SC
forth in the White letter. We had Intend
ed to reciprocate the favor of the Courier b
: pointing ont occasions for the correction {
its own errors" but our limited space prc
: cludes the tempting task.
: BG- We are informed there is one thol