Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-07-07
N. p. TRIsT, Esq, &C., &C., &c.

our government, which YOU saw fit to put into
the shape of a letter to me, q regret exceeding.
ly that it did not receive more appropriate form
and direction, by being made up, al once, into an
article" to adorn the columns of some reckless
partisan press) was commenced at San Juan del
Rio; where, after taking time to recover from
the amazement which your letter occasioned
and cooly to reflect upon its extraordinary char
acter-as have repeatedly done since on the
Journey passed nearly the whole night in
writing, so DESTROYS did feel to dismiss the un-
pleasant subject from my mind. Having mo-
tives also for wishing that my reply should reach
you before my arrival here, purposed finishing
it at the first place where it could be resumed.
With this view, when we reached Ell Encero, |
got out my writing materials, intending to pass
the greater part Of the night in this labor, and
that of taking copy. This design having, how
ever, been defeated by the alerte which we had
there just about sunset, causing Col Riley to or
der the advance of the train with which was to
retire from its position in and around the house
and out buildings; the completion of my task
has, from this and subsequent causes, been un-
avoidaby delayed until now.
was, most assuredly, not sent to Mexico for
any such purpose as that of engaging in cor
respondence with you; above all, in one of the
nature of that which have so Unexpectedly
found forced upon me; and doubt whether the
government will approve of my having allowed
myself to employ any portion of my time in it.
Certain | am that this would be censured, but
for the fact that your letter found me under cir
cumstances rendering it impossible that should
occupy myself upon the object for which was
sent here. The same excuse will not exist here
after; and even if it should, numberless other
nod and ~
compel me to decline the honor of maintaining
a correspondence with you.
The communication from the Department of
State to the Mexican minister of foreign rela-
tons, transmitted to you by me from Vera Cruz,
has been returned to me, since my arrival at this
place, by your military secretary, Lieut. Law
SO soon as | shall be enabled to ascertain that
the condition of the government ofthis country
is such as to admit of it's delivery, it will be a.
gain placed in the hands of the general-in-chief
of our forces for that purpose.
Upon recurring to your letter, find both its
tone and its matter, with respect to the trans
mission of this communication, so perfectly in
Keeping with the rest of it, and especially with
the light in which you have seen fit to consider
me-that of an emissary of the Secretary of War
through whom and to whom you may "say"
whatever your honor suggest-that | deem it
necessary to make a special endeavor in regard
to this very important point, to bring down your
thoughts from the lofty regions into which they
have scared, to the one alone appropriate to
such plain matters Of business as am charged
with
You say that some time hence, perhaps, 81
(you) may, at your (my) instance, lend an es-
cort to your (my) flag of truce; and it may re-
quire large fighting detachment to protect even
o flag OF truce against the rancheros and bandit
ti,"& &c.
Now, sir, in reply to this all have to do is
to deliver to you-as hereby do IN aoriting-
(and this for The second time, unless my first let
ter was far more enigmatical than believe it |
could seem to any honest men, who, upon their
and honor should be called to res |
pond to the questions, whether you had or had
not, in this instance been guilty ola wanton con-
tempt of orders and whether this offence had |
Or had not been aggravated by the character of
he pretcnces under which the contempt was in
1ulged in, and the contumacy sought to be COW
cred up)--l have, | say, sir to deliver to you
his message from your commander chief, the
President of the United States, to wit: "When
he communication, bearing the seal of the De-
,artment of State, and addressed to his excel
ency the minister of foreign relations of the
Mexican republic shall be placed in the hands
If the general-in.chief of the United States army
n Mexico, it is the will, order, and command of
he President of the u. ST. that the said commu-
icatiOn shall forthwith be transmitted to its des-
nation under a flag oftrucc which flag of truce
5 to proceed from the headquarters of the ar
ny, and is to be a flag of truce from the gener-
l-n-chief. 1t is to be protected by such escort
s the general-in-chief shall deem necessary and
roper for its security against all dangers of the
Dad in general, Gncluding those from rancho
os and banditti,' in particularly Whether the
scort necessary and proper for the purpose shall
the Judgment of the general-in-chief, be cor
orals guard, company, a regiment, or brig
de; such necessary and proper escort, whatev- ,
+ it may be, is to be furnished. The President
the same time, commands that the general-in- !
lief shall not, for the sake of carrying out this
rder, do aught which may leopard the existence ,
the army, or interfere with any movements or
1eratons whatever which he may deem neces-
Try or expedient for the most vigorous possi- {
e prosecution Of the war. The transmission j
the communication above referred to is at all c
mes to be deemed secondary consideration to h
~ of those just mentioned but it is also TO be
'emed at all times paramount TO every thing
sc, and, so far as may be compatible with them
g utmost attention is demanded TO IT," r.
This, sir, is tire order and command Of the Ii