The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-08-10
Singular Secret Ristory--Gencral Scott as :
Dfptomatist.


Singular Secret Ristory--Gencral Scott as
Dipiomatist.
1t may be recolected that, some time ago, We
published certain speech made by Senator Clay
ten, of Delaware, in favor of General Scott, in
which very curious statement was made, intimat-
ing that after the conquest OF Mexico. the General
had actually refused million and quarter of dol
| lars. including the Presidency Of that republic,
which had been proposed to him by the Mexican
authorities. At the same time, allusion was made
in an article in the columns of the HERALD, to Sc
cret negotiations which were carried on between
General Scott and Santa Anna, while the headquar-
tiers of the American army at Puebla, in lS47
Ii was minated that arrangement had been
made by which Santa Anna was to receive one mil
lion Of dollars If he would make peace, and that
an thouSand doAars were actually paid him as an
earnest, or first instalment. The statement was
somewhat obscure and misty; and in the editorial
remarks it said, eve want more light" Since
that time we have derived information, and we are
enabled TO give connected narrative Of the whole
transaction, from first 10 last We believe our
authorities are reliable At ali events, their asser-
tiops are bold, and if not true they may be dis
proved.
When General Scott had achieved the capture of
Vera Cruz, he wrote Mr. Marcy, intimating that
the presence Of n commissioner at the American
headquarters was desirable. (See Letter Of April
s. 1S47, Ex Doc 60, II. of r.. lst Sess. 30th Con,
p 500 Under the re onmendation and the hope
Of the contingency Of peace Mr.. Trist was commits
stoned and sent TO Mexico His appointment
gave great offence 70 General Scott, who saw in it
an attempt to degrade him, and who probably
believed that no weuld have been empowered to
treat himself. Tho rare aud yolumnous correspon-
dence of the two stckicrs for rank and precedence
was ridiculous, and now stands out in the pablo
archives as an exponent Of official vanity L. may
be found by those who anxious to reperuse it, in
Senate document No. 81, first session OF Thirtisth
Congress. The i'll feeling between Gen. Scott aud
Mr. Trist continued from the time Of the arrival Of
the latter in Mexico until late in june 1917, when
the happy reconciliation took place, and Mr. Tfist,
from being the yilest Of the vilea tool in the hands
! OF malignant governmen.-was found to be cour-
ttous, discreet and amiable." And now for the
reasons Of il.
Gen Scott had refused to forward the letter
which Mr.. Buchanan had sent 10y Mr. Trist to Senior
Pacheco, the Mexican Minister Of Foreign Affairs,
and Mr. TGis., some time in June, had sent it by
the British courier, through Mr.. Bankhead, the
British envoy to the Mexican government. The
public answer to this episte contained nothing i'm
portant. II merely saii th At the Mexican govern
uent was not able to treat without the authority Of
its Congress- which would meet in the Of six
| months and aDimadverted upon the American con-
duet Of the war; light have been expected But at
the same time that it was received, came private
communication from Santa Anna, through source
which gave il color Of authority TO the effect that
~~,.'a &c uviiv wituvuu pir Irs'' an ritiinw mt
that ten thousand dollars paid down, audit was
guaranteed that million should be placed at the
private disposal OF the Mexican government upon
the ratification CT 4 treaty Of peace, it was highly
probable t at the measure would be consummated.
This the subject Of discussion Immediately after
the reconciliation between the American General
and the Com missioner. The reconciliation
brought about by the mediation Of Gen. Persifer
Smith, with whom Mr.. Trst was domciliated at
the time; and as negotiations were seen through
the crack which Santa Anna had opened, it was
believed that there was q chance Of obtaining the
peace which the whig party was then loudly cry
ing for, and of eclipsing the hard fighting renowa
which Gen Taylor had won at Buena Vista.
When Pillow arrived at Puebla, he was made
party TO the conferences. Mr.. Polk had expressed
desire that he should be, Mr. Trists quarrel with
Gen Scott had not spoken very loudly favor Of his
discretion, and Gen Scott known to be hostile
to the administration Pillow objected to the bribery
of Santa Anna; but it finally agreed that if he
would make the peace, ii would be well enough to
give him the million, and save further boodshed,
that was while the American army remained az
Puebla. Gen. Scott took the responsibility of the
measure, and sent up he $4,000, which Santa
Alma received, and made Of as he pleased.
There was a grand ball and other entertainments at
the Palace of Mexico after, and it may be that
some Of the roits of the negotiation went of in
that way.
VIXEN Santa Anna made his first proposition, he
was stIaiHiDg every nerve TO fortify the city Of
Mexico, and il was mis- policy to retard the progress
Of Gen. colt by any means in his power. He did
so, lie thought, by his negotiations BY the las.
Of July, he ready to receive him, and it was
desirable to bring the American General up to the
battle rs soon as possible, before he should be re-
inforced By the troops under Gen. Pierce of whose
arrival az Vera Cruz Santa Anna knew earlier than
Gen Scott. He therefore senta private message, to
the effect that i would be necessary for the Amer
can army to morch into the valley Of Mexico, and
threaten the cit Ger. Scott agreed to it, and
prepared to go.
About this time however, the American General,
either feeling want of support, or being rather
leaky thought best to lay the matter before coun
ell OF war, and called his generals together. Pill
low, Quitman, TNiggs, Shields and Cad vaader were
present. Mr.. Trist also there, and Col. Hitch
cock WIS on hand 10 make record Of their
opinions. for matters of history, or the use
o. General Scott. General Scott had taken
this step without consulting any one, and
II was matter Of little surprise {. those who
knew Of the business that II should be conGded to
20 many. After asking opinions with regard 90 the
propr;ety Of advancing epoa Mexico before the ar
rival Of Pieroe's column, Gen. Scott opened the bust
ness Of he secret negotiation, and asked opinions
upon the proprety Of the bride. Pillow gave his
assent to it, as he had previously done Qaitman