The daily union., 1852-10-09
Memoir OF General scott, from Records Cotem.
poraneous with the Events. 4.

But after Scott had established his army in the heart OF
Mexico--had met Santa Anna with his troops, broken
and dispred by their overthrow at Buena Vista--had
tried them and found that they could not resist strong,
daring indomiiable soldiers and now being secure ia
scattering the dsoganized forces OF the enemy and cap
turing the captahs jealous feeling burned toward those
who might, by directing the councils providing the
aud sharing the responsibility attending the conquest.
be entitled 10 participation IN ITS glory From that mo.
men Scott renewed the warfare against those IN high
quaTiers," from whom he had little while before
begged quarter He looked with evil eye upon The
commanding power AT Washington and although in the
midst OF rich country, in which put everything IN
his power, his complaints incessant against all
the departments al Washington, however interchangeable
they bad been in providing men, money. and mateu-
al--every thing, indeed to insure a triumph which
the fate OF the administration depended His dispatches
calculated 10 make the impression that he derived
no support from the government at home that all his
hopes were disappointed. and that he really suffering
what be said in his letter, after hasty plate Of SOUP
he had TO apprehend In this way he arfuly pre-
pared in OF unexpected dsaser 10 throw the whole
blame on the department at Washington and, in of
entire success to appropriate all the honors to hmse
He was still looking for the whg nomination TO the
presidency, of which Hanisons good fortune had de-
prved him in 1910, and therefore, for his sake and
the Ike Of his parry he was douby anxious 10 depress
the democratic administration. For this reason his de-
apatches filled with complaints; but at last start
ling cause made them burst out in open conumacy TO
the authority which had been weak enough after his first
nsolence to ntrust him with the conduct OF its forces
The President sent Mr. Trst with overtures OF peace
10 Mexico. which he was directed TO delverto General
Scott 10 be forwarded, and to remain with the army
commissioner TO sign the treaty, provided the treaty pro-
posed TO Mexico should be assened TO- This produced
paroxysm in General Scott; for he had determined that
the government at Washington should have neither the
credit OF directing 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 il until he had accomplished the
object OF his own ambition in debating terms in the city
of Mexico. He even demurred to allow our govern
ment 10 send propositions for treaty through Mr. Trst
to the government Of Mexico He says to that gentle
man, in a letter dated Nav 7, lS47: ...
Senior Amaya is, believe, President nd interim. But
have learned that Congress- after hearing Of the
ing The utternost against the United States; de-
ciarng that the executive has no power, and shall have
United States. and denouncns as traitor any Mexican
functonary who shall entertain either proposon have
communicated copy OF those DEGREES the War Depart
men and until further orders hereupon or until change
Of circumstances, very much doubt whether far
agency in forwarding the sealed despatch You have SEM
from the Secretary of Sate OF the United States.
please and when, If abe shall have advanced near the
pal, may, at your instance, lend your ax
protect even flag Of truce the rancheros and ban
d who now ntest the national road allths way to the
81 that the Secretary OF War proposes degrade me-
by requiring that the commander Of This army shall defer
question Of continuing or ai.connuinn hosties '"'
beg to him and you, that here, in the heart OF
be Impossible 70 Withdraw the army without los. prob
ably OF hsfits numbers by the poDo. which army from
become
off from all supplies and reniorcemcnts from home unt
perhs Into 10 TO speak OF the bad iath Of
those critical circumstances, this army take military
security for its safety. Hence the question OF
ton appertaning OF necessity, ii universal right
the absence OF direct instructions the commander OF the
military rank me- well with diplomatic func.
tons, shall demand, under the peculiar circumstances
oyeuufesyou refer that question me- and all the secu
ties belonging to IT, The safety OF the army demands
lees, and am responsible for that safety until duly super
seded recalled Indeed. from the Of the case
the enemy on your petition Should be willing to concede
All armstce, he would, doubt, demand the military
guarantee of my signature ior mis- safety.
!" should you, under The exposition OF circumstances
have given, Wis the moveab BILE headquarters of this army
shall receive yon with the respect due iunctionary OF
my government; but whether you would find here,
Perote Pueba or elsewhere depends on events change
The sealed despatch from the Department, of State
suppose you desire me to hold until your arrival until
shai AL hesf Int.heI rom rom you. a. -
" WINFIELD SCOTT"
On The 3lst of May, lsi7, Mr.. Marcy wrote to Gen.
Scott as follows:
81 an unpleasant duty advert, feel constrained
do, your letter of the nth instant and more parcu
sIy 10 copy OF OF the date herewith enclosed
addressed by you 10 Mr.. Trist With IL is matter OF
sincere regret that letter OF such extraordinary
tsr vas sent to that geutemiu and doubt u b.
less regretted NY youfe on more ref con and bette,
inioimaUn Such ~ uunalion you won have received
I'd Mr. Tnst delivered person, as had doubt he
would, letter 10 You Of the II instant, [lmol with
the despsch from the stale Department Mexican
lister oil Foreign Relations. My eteT would
you from the strange mistake into which You have fallen
by regarding him the bearer OF that despatch the Mex
ican government and yourself called aid transmit.
unR ~ Had snch been the true Of the case, cannot
perceive that you would have had any Just ground OF
paint any sufficient excuse for Withholding the assist.
ance required but, by looking my letter. you will dis
cover your msappfehensop Mr.. Trit the bearer OF
that despatch TO yourself, the Mexican government
and when he bad delivered itino your hands, bis
oeased-he had no discretion judgment
gard to sending on or Withholding H. This matter
commited solely TO yourself refer to the language Of
letter 10 show the entire correctness OF this view OF the sub
ieci You will transmit that despatch the nder
Of the Mexican forces with request that may be laid
before his government, at the time giving nforma-
ton that Mr. Tfs officer OF department fore
affairs, next n rank to its chief your besdqnae
on board the sqnsdIon as the cs.e may be- This pcs
and peced you will have soied upon II without
waiting for arrival OF Mr. Tfst your headquarters,
II thereby any unnecessary delay likely to result
"My latter informed you that Mr.. Irist was clothed
with diplomatic powers, aud his Instructions and the pro-
ect OF treaty which he carried with him have ere this a-
zouae peace. The treaty which be was authorized 20
conclude contains article You will have perceived,
which provides for suspension Of hostes but not until
the treaty shall have been ratified BY the Mexican gov
ernmen Neither The considerations OF humanity sound
policy would Justify the continuance Of active military ope
raons after treaty o peace had been concluded and ra
fed the part of Mexico, until the information OF that sc
eonld be communicated Mexico this place, and
Tor the suspension Of hoses hence transmitted to the
conma nding general In that country twill not be ques
toned that acommssoner OF peace may be properly vested
with hs power OF agreeing 10 suspension hostes IN
dehnve treaty, ,neRotsed and already raed by par
y while waiting tho ratification OF the oher As Ihe
TIA or the first 10 know the fact that treaty has been
concluded and raed IL Is beyond dispute proper that
fact TO the commanding general and u cannot in my view
OF the case be deogstp 10 that officer TO be placed unde
to with refeIenee to that Ao when duly
notified Of Il by the commissioner The case cannot be
-. n....z IL. aWINl