The daily union., 1852-10-09

dered further from the view Of the au by sup
posing that the President myself has placed you in the
condition Of deieing to the chief clerk Of the Depart
ment Of STATE the question Of continuing dlscon,nunp
hosiile cannot conceive that any well founded ex
cePuon can be laken the order have received in
ation TO suspendnR hostiltes and am fully persuaded
mat II me contingency requiring you 10 act upon t shall
ever occur, you will promptly carry il into full effect
= very respectfully, your obedent seryen,
Secretary OF War.
'Maj Gen. WINFIELD ScoTr"
The letter written TO Mr.. Trist was intended for and
sent immediately 10 the Secretary In il will be found
grauitous fling at Commodore Perry. who had senl
Lieutenant Semmes OF the navy, TO headquarters, with
view OF being forwarded by General Scott 10 the city
oi Mexico TO make proper representations TO save the
HE OF Lieutenant Rogers, who was taken prisoner by
me Nlexicans, and whose life was threatened as spy
He was ineensed at Colonel Wilson for de,aching a
guard from Vera Cruz TO protect Lieutenant Semmes
and was provoked also that the commissioner, Mr..
Tst, should have been assisted in reaching headquar-
,ers. although he had the authority Of the President
10 command the necessary means OF reaching his desti-
nation But after offering this indirect insult through
Mr. Irist TO the department at Washington, Commodore
Perry and Lieutenant Ssmmes, General Scott, in con-
versation with Lieutenant Semmes yielded his appli.
cation, and consented 10 put him in communication with
the Mexican authorities, or at least forward his de-
spalches Yet such was his repugnance to the Pres-
dents having access by agent 10 the city OF Mexico
that he revoked his promise whereupon Lieut. Semmes
addressed him this note
HEADoUARTERs Army,
.a Jalapa, May D. lSH.
GENERAL understand you say in the conversation |
had the honor to hold with you the evening my
rival this place. that although you had no then
your command with which 10 forward me 10 the city Of
Mexico in the execution OF my mission might continue
the @ You Would u eSs
put me IN communication with the government
have this morning been waited upon by Lieutenant
Williams, your aid-de-camp who Informs me in your be-
and you not permit me to hold any intercourse
with the Mexican government
Commodore Perry has been charged by the President of
q a To he
Mexico with the nature Of which have been
views OF the President and has directed apply you
for me means OF executing his orders.
WIN regard 70 the question as TO who the proper chan
mel through which this be made can
Of conrse have nothing 10 say-that must be settled by
Judge Of this for himself and am here by authority (m
medatey) OF one oi the departments Of the government,
mander chief 10 place personally with your
my dispatches in the hands OF the Minister Foreign Re-
to proceed 10 the capital person, forward il by some
safe conveyance, and await answer, My object in
addressing you this inquire whether nnde rstand
you deciding that you will not at your convenience af
lord me the facilities requested of you by Commodore
Perry, 10 enable to proceed my mission and that
you will permit hold any sonal or
otherwise, with the Mexican government If this your
decision military man. you must see the proprieiy of
giving to me in writing, in order may exhibit i to
my commander in-chief sufficient for failing to
execute his orders; receive this shall hold
myself in readiness to the squadron by the first
conveyance.
enclose or your inspection my order in the premises
from Commodore Perry, together with copy of the de,
spatch officer Mexican government from which
you will be able that my mission cannot have ia the
emotes degree. any bearing upon your mill
viii be obliged to you if You will these pa pers
have the honor to be, very respectfully your obedien,
servant, r. SEMMES,
Lieutenant United States Navy.
Major General WINFIELD soorr Commanding The armies
OF the United States.
To which the General returned captious answer; and
after gmarole OF what he, the General had and would
nave done lor Lieutenant Rogers, concludes thus:
General Scott to Lieutenant Semnes. n#
81 regret that Commodore Perry thought it necessary
serd you his special messenger with Mex
can government on the subject OF Mr. Rogers Even had
been Ignorant OF the capture and position of the passed
pman, note from the ommoore would been
sufficient to have interested officially and personally in
his fate and doubtthe expedency Of chan.
mel OF communication with the Mexican government on
But there is hand another iunouonary who, under
very instructions from the President the United
%s pssaPs Ga to 81 me h Gs bo,
arrangements MI Trs, chief clerk Of the Department Of
arrived at Vera Cruz, and mNy be at this place with the
train expected in few days Perhaps you had better refer
the business OF your mission to him Only make the sug
The didcuy of sending forward flag OF truce at hi,
there be peent government anywhere consists ia the
necessity Of protesting the flag by large escort against
capital, and who rob and murder Mexican officers
turning on their parole TO their friends.
When nearer 20 the capital some time hence, may
nevertheless have occasion to communicate officially nm
der The Of Tag and heavy esaort with any body
thBt m0y bt men mort The ul tisttefs oil
var urrtllT. ur com uunicauun, and Hsy that Mt
rns nay desire TO submit, may g by the oppouu
nifty In the mean time remain here retnrn 10 Com
modore Perrys squadron, advance with the army
may seem TO you best. have advice to offer the
subject
"wh high personal respect 9%.q Eop, seSysr 9Sy
I" "Liept. II SEMAks. United States Navy, &o."
The heart OF every man who feels for the dignity of
his government must scken TO see the humiliation 10
which Scott subjects the Presidents agentshe one sent
negotiate peace the other to protect the life of gal
LIANT officer threatened with the gallows and charged
spy from which gnominous charge II was the object OF
this mission of naval officer acqoit him, being
qusned with all the circumstances that implicated him.
But Gen Scott not done with MIR Trst That func.
tonary who the grandson-in-law OF Jefferson had
been his private secretaryhe private secretary OF Gen
Jackson-consul at Havana under Mr.. Van Buren--the
first officer under Mi buchanan 10 the State Depameni
ished educaton--fe due TO himself well as the sta.
ton he sent TO occupyof commissioned 10 treat OF
peacehe repre- sentative OF the President with his terms
and instructions n his pocket--to demand compliance
on the part ol the General with the Presidents orders
He did so in an elaborate letter which General Scott
treats with To this the General sends the follow
Ing reply
Gsnnai Scott 10 Mr. Tris.
HEADQUARTERS rns ARry, na
Puebla, May ", 1871.
SIRi Your long studied letters Of The 9th and 10Th IN.
san making thirty pages, ia reply my short note o.
the 1h were handed under cover Jslapa tho
morning OF the 2Is, when you knew, being on the spot
that was about march upon this place Occupied as
with business OF much higher Importance did not
allow the seal OF the package be broken till the evening
OF the 22d which took care have in the presence
OF many staff officers One OF them at instance read
apart and reported the general character OF The pa