The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-09-25
MOIR OF
GE NJ e r AL S G Q I. I,
Records cOicmpcrancous with the Events.
rcosrIsUrD raos rxrsssAv's rAr.a.I

SCOTT RESEws TEE ATTACK on "HI0H QUARTERS"
Bot after Scott had established his army in tbs
heart of Mexico-bad met Santa Anna with his
troops broken and disprited by their overthrow at
Buena Vista--hGd tried them and found that they
could not resist our strong, daring, indomitable
soldiers, and now being secure In scattering the
disorganized forces Of the enemy and capturing the
capital, his jealous feeling burned towards those who
might, by directing the councils, providing the
means, aud sharing the responsibility attending the
conquest be entitled to participation in its glory
From that moment Scott rene wed the warfare against
those Gin high quarters" from whom he had ut
tie while before begged quarter. He looked WIN
an evil eve upon the commanding power ~ ASH
ingtcn and although in the midst OF rich country,
In which success put everything in his power, his
complants were incessant against all the depart
ments at Washington however interchangeable they
had been in providing men, money, aud mate
rial-everything indeed to ensure triumph on
which the fate Of the administration depended -
His despatches were calculated to make the inn
PRECISION that he derived no support from the gov
ernment at home-that all his hopes were disap-
pointed, and that he was realy suffering what
he said in his letter after hasty plate Of SOUP"
he had reason to apprehend. In this way he
artfully prepared, In Of unexpected disaster,
to throw the whole blame on the department at
Washington, and in case of entire success, to APP
pr0priate all the honors to himself. He was still
looking for the wing nomination to the Presidency,
Of which Harrisons good fortune had deprived
him in $780, and therefore, for his own sake
and the sake of his party, he was doubly anxious to
reason his dispatches were filed with complaints;
but at last . startling cause made them burst out
in'open contumacy TO the authority which had been
weak enough after his rs nsolence, TO instruct him
with the conduct Of its forces
Tho President sent Mr.. Trist with overtures Of
peace to Mexico, which he was directed To deliver
TO General Scott, to be forwarded, and to remain
with the army as commissioner TO ngn the treaty,
provided the treaty proposed to Mexico should be
assented to- This produced paroxysm in General
Scott, for he had determined that the government
Mt Warrington should have neither the credit of d.
recting the war nor OF concluding the peace. The
force placed at his disposal by the Executive put
Mexico in his power, and he was resolved that no
treaty OF peace should rescue it until he had accom-
plished the object of his own ambition in debating
terms in the city Of Mexico. he even demurred to
allow our government to send propositions for a
treaty through Mr. Trist to the government of Mex
leo. He ssys to that gentleman in a letter dated
May z, 1871
Senior Amaya is believe President di interim. But
You msy have learned that Congress sitter hearing Of the
affair AZ Csrro Gordo. passed many violent DEGREES,
breathing TO the uttermost against the United
States declaring that the executive has power and
shall have TO conclude treaty. armis
tioe with the United States and denounciDg traitor
Mexican functonary who shsl entertain either pro-
position. have communicated copy Of those DEGREES
to the War Department aud until further orders there
upon or until a change of circumstances very much
doubt whether can so far commit the honor Of my
government to take any direct agency in forwarding
the sealed despatch have sent from the Secretary
OF State OF the United States. On this delicate point,
IL
shall have advanced the capital may, at your in
stance lend escort to your flag Of truce and may
require large fighting detachment to protect even flag
Of truce against the rancheros and bapdi who
fest the national road all the way up to the capital
see that the Secretary Of War proposes to degrade me-
by requiring that the commander Of this army shall
defer to the chief clerk Of the Department of State
the question OF continuing disseminating hostiities
L beg to say to him and to you that here
IN the heart OF hostile country, from which.
after few weeks, 1t would be impossible to
withdraw the army without loss probably of half its
numbers by the yomito which army, from necessity.
must soon become self sustaining machine, cut off
from all supplies and Inducements from home until
perhaps late in Noyembrnot speak Of the bad faith
Of the government and people of Mexco-I say ree
renoc 70 those critical circumstances this army must
take military security for its own safety. Hence,
the question of an arnistice or no armstice is most
peculiarly military question, appertsining of
cessy not OF universal right in the Absence of direct
instruction. to the commander of the invading forces
consequently II you not clothed with military rank
over as vel with diplomatic functions shall de-
mand under the peculiar circumstances that in your
negotiations, the enemy should entertain your over
lures refer that question to and all the securi
ties belonging to it, The safety of this army demands
less and responsible for that safety until duly
perseded recalled, Indeed, from the nature OF the
case II the enemy your petition should be willing
to oohccde armisticc he would doubt demand the
military guaranty Of my signature for his safety
Should you under the exposition OF circumstances
have given visit the movable headquarters OF this army
shall receive you with the respect que to afunctonary
OF my government but whether you would End here
II Percte, Pueba, elsewhere depends on events
chsnGcshe at every ment The sealed despatch from
until your arrival or until shall hear further you
WINFIELD SCOTT"
On the 31st of May, 1917, Mr.. Marcy wrote to
General Scott as follows:-
unpleasant duty advert as feel constrained
to do to your letter OF the 18th instant and more par
culary copy of Of the same date Herewith
closed addressed by you to Mr. Trst With me It is a
matter OF sincere regret that letter OF such an exraor
binary character sent to that gentleman and
not doubt win be no lees regretted by yourself more
would have received had Mr. Trist delivered in person.
had doubt he would my letter to you Of the 14h
partment to the Mexican Minister Of foreign relations
My letter would have secured you from the strange
mistake into which you have fallen by regarding him as
the bearer of that despatch to the Mexican government
and yoursek called on to aid in transmitting it. Had
such been the state Of the cannot perceive
that you would have had any just ground of complaint
anysucient for Withholding the assistance required
but BY looking at letter you will discover msap
Prehenson Mr. Tri the bearer Of that despatch to
yourse-not TO the Mexican government and when he
had deveedt into your hands his agency he had
no discretion orudgment TO exercise in regard to sending
solely to yourself refer to the language Of nv letter
10 show the entire correctness Of this view Of the subject
You win transmit that despatch to the commander of
the Mexican forces with request that may be laid
before his government at the same time giving nforms
ton that Mr. Trst officer from our department for
foreign Affairs next in rank to it's chief is at your head
quarters board the squadron as the may be
This IL positive instruction to yoursef to send that
despstch forward and it expected you viii have acted
your head quarters thereby any unneoee delay
likely result My letter informed you that Mr. Trst
sclothed with diplomatic powers and his instruc
tons and the project Of tresty which be carried with
him, have, ere this apprised you that he L. commits
sioner with full powers TO negotiate peace The treaty
which hs was authorized to conclude contains ar
ticle you viii have perceived which provides for
Suspension Of hoses but not until after the treaty
shall have been ratified by the Mexican government.
Neither the considerations Of humanity nor sound po
icy would justify the continuance Of active military
raons after streaty Of peace had been concluded and
ratified on the part Of Mexico until the information Of
that fAct could he communicated from Mexico to this
place. and order for the suspension Of bostes hence
transmitted TO the commanding general In that country
1t will not be questioned that commissioner OF peace
may be properly vested with the power Of agreeing TO
suspension Of hostiss in definite treaty negotiated
and already ratified by party while waiting the rat
cation of the other As the negotiator s the first 10
know the fact that treaty has been concluded and
ratified il lie beyond dispute proper that he should be
directed communicate the knowledge OF that fact
to the commanding general and II cannot, in my
Of the case, be derogatory TO that officer TO be
placed under instructions act with reference to that
- - he ..scuipu