The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-09-25

and whose life was threatened as spy no was
incensed Mt Col. Wilson for detaching guard from
Vera Cruz to protect Lieutenant Semmes, and was
provoked also that the missioner. ar. ifnt,
should baye been assisted in reaching head quarters.
although be had the authority OF the Pres,dent to
command the necessary means OF reaohng ms deo-
tnation But after Offering this indirect Insult,
through Mr.. Trist, to the department At " ashing-
ton Commodore Perry and Lieutenant Semmes,
General Scott in conversation with Lieut. Semmes,
Welded to his application, and consented to put him
In communication with the Mexican authorities,
at least forward his dispatches. Yet such was his
repugnance TO the Presidents having access, by
sgent, TO the city of Mexico, that he revoked. his
promise, whereupon Lieutenant Semmes addressed
him this note =:
HsAp QuaRTERs or rHE AnMy,l
JALAPA, May S. I347 I
General understood you TO say in the conversation
had the honor TO hold with you the evening OF my
arrival at this place that although you had
AT your command with which to forward 10 the city
OF Mexico in the execution of my mission might
tinue with the army in its progress and that when you
would either put in personal communication with the
government, or send forward my dispatches. have
this morning been waited upon by Lieutenant Williams
your aid de camp who informs me In your behalf that
you have changed your resolution this point and that
You viii not permit me to hold any intercourse with the
Mexican government Commodore Perry has been
charged by the President Of the United states TO make
a communication to the Government Of Mexico with the
nature OF which you have been made acquainted. He
has selected me to carry out the views Of the President
and has directed apply to you for the Of
cutting his orders With regard to the question, to
munication Is to be made, can, Of course, have
nothing to say, that must be settled by higher
thorty; but the President has thought proper judge
of this for himself and here by authority (imme
diatey of Of the departments OF the government
MS his humble agent / have specific orders from my
commander in chief TO place personally with your assist
ance my dispatches in the hands Of the Minister of
Foreign Relations or, If the Mexican government will
not permit me to proceedt the capital person. to
ward II by some safe conveyance. and await
My object in addressing you this note, is to inquire
whether understand you deciding that you viii not
at your convenience Afford me the facilities requested of
you by Commodore Perry to enable to proceed my
mission and that you will not permit to hold any in
tercodrse personal OF oinerFsc with the Msx'cAn gov
crnment II this be your decision. military you
must see the proprety Of giving it TO in writing, in
order that may exhibit to my commander in. chief
sufficient reason for failing to execute his orders
as receive this shall hold myself readiness return
to the squadron by the first conveyance enclose for
your inspection my order in the promises from Commo
dore Perry together with copy OF the despatch OF that
officer to the Mexican government from which you will
be able to see that my mission cannot have in the
test degree any bearing upon military operations
will be obliged 10 you you viii return these pap
.rs after perusa have the honor be- very respect
FULLY, your obedient servant,
II. SEMMES Lieut.. U. s. Navy
Major Gen WINFIELD ScorT, CONG the Arnies of the
United States
To which the General returned captious an
swer and, after rigmarole Of what the General
had and would have done for Lieutenant Rodgers,
concludes thus -
regret that Commodore Perry has thought it ncces
sary to send you as his special messenger to with
the Mexican government the subject of Mr.. Rodgers
Even had been ignorant Of the capture position
OF the passed midshpman, note from the Commodore
would have been sufficient to have interested officially
and personally in his fate and doubt the exuediency
of more than channel Of communication with the
Mexican government on such subjects But there is at
hand another functionary who under very recent in
structons from the President Of the United States
may, perhaps, cla to supersede in the business
OF exchanging prisoners Of other military
arrangements. Mr.. Trist chief clerk of the Depart
ment Of State, appointed Minister or Commissioner to
Mexico, has arrived at Vera Cruz, and may be
n in favv
days. Perhaps you had better refer the bust
ness Of your mission to him only make the suggestion
The difficulty of sending forward flag of this
Time with communications to the Mexican government,
II there be competent government nywhere consists
against ranchcros band.ti who nest the road all the
way to the capital and who rob and murder Next
can officers returning on their parole to their friends
When nearer to the capital some time hence. may
nevertheless have occasion to communicate officially u-
der the cover Of flag and heavy escort with any body
then that may be in authority the subject OF prisoners
OF war generally. Your communication. and any that
Mr. Trst may desire to submit may 60 by the op-
portunty. In the meantime you can remain here re-
turn to Commodore Perrys squadron or advance with
the army as NAV seem to you best have advice to
offer on the subject.
with high personal respect, remain yours truly,
WINFIELD sCoTT'
Lieut.. Il. SENMEs, U. S. Navy &c.
The heart of every man who feels for the dignity
of his government must sicken TO see the humilia.
ton to which Scott subjects the Presidents agents
the one sent to negotiate peace the other pro-
gallows, and charged as a spy--fiom which ignomi-
NOUS charge twas the object of this mission Of o
naval officer to acquit him, being acquainted
with sill the circumstances that implicated him.
But General Scott was not done with Mr.. TIist.
That functionary, who was the grand son in law of
Jefferson, had been his private secretary-the pr-
vate secretary of General Jackson-consul at Ha-
vana, under Mr. Van Buren-the first officer under
Mr.. Buchanan in the State Departmental man Of
unblemished character kind manners aud finished
education, felt it due to himself as well the sta
ton he was sent to occupy-of a commissioner to
treat OF peace-the representative of the President,
mapd compliance on the part Of the general with
the Presidents orders. He did 80 in an elaborate
letter which General Scott treats with scorn. To
this the general sends the following reply
HEAD QUARTERS THE ARMY,
PUEBLA, May 90, 1S41.
sr--Your long studied letters Of the 9th and Goth
instant making thirty pages in reply to my short Of
the morning Of the 2lst when you knew, being the
spot that was about to march upon this place Occu-
pied was with business of much higher Importance.
did not allow the seal Of the package to be broken till
the evening of the ed which took care to have done
in the presence Of many staff officers One of them at
character of the papers have not yet read them Ny
first impulse to return the farrgo Of insoence
determined 10 the letters choice specimen
of diplomatic literature and manners. The Jaco.
bin convention of France never sent to one Of its
armies in the field more amiable and accomplished
instrument II you were but armed with
bulatory guilotine, you would be the personiaca-
tion Of Danton, Marat and st. just, all in You
tell me that you authorized to negotiate treaty
of peace with the enemy-a declaration which as
1t rests upon your word might well question and
you add that it not intended at Washington that
should have anything to do with the negotiation This
can well believe and certainly have cause to be thank
full to the President for not degrading me BY placing
in any joint commission with you From the letter of
the Secretary Of War to Of the 14th ultimo had
supposed you to be simply authorized to propose
cede the enemy the truce armisce which usually
precedes negotiations for peace and my letter to you
written that supposition If the terms Of military
conventions left to the commander Of this army
have nothing to desire TO demand for its safety
In conclusion-for persons here believe that the
enemy 10000 strong, IL about to attack this place.
have only time to ask you in your future communications
to me- TO be brief and purely official for you dare
the style of orders and instructions again in
dugs yourself in single discourteous phrase shall
throw back the communication with the contempt and
scorn which you merit at my hands. ! remain sir
officially, 40. WINFIELD SCOTT
To Nicholas p Trst, Esq. &c., SC, SC
A true copy, GEo w. RAIHs, Lieutenant and acting