Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-10-10
The Standard.
rr,on the National Intell,gencer.1 I
earn FROM LIEUT.. GEN. SCOTT.

from the National Intelhgencerl
A CARD FROM LIEUT.. GEN. SCOTT.
Nv attention has been called to a letter addressed
to the people of Tennessee by Gen. Pillow, in which
he criticiscs my campaign in Mexico with the ooio-
ness of master in the art OF war, anu a. "I sa
time eulogizes his own services therein y" I'LL ue"y
pood. will that leaves nothing to be addea 90 not
propose ut present to disturb that sefaudaton nor
to reply to his animadversiOns on my plans ana ope
rations although he most provokngiy mixes up IN
every statement a small grain OF truth with large
norton of fiction to give it with the careless
all the effect of gross fasehood If such tricks can
influence the public mind to my prejudice, shall
then begin to regret that | was born an American.
Without, then, entering upon any formal recrim-
inatioa Of Gen. Pillow defence of myself shall
proceed at once in behalf Of others, to notice some
two or three points in his address, in the way of ex.
PLANTATION, and if chance to 60 beyond this it will
be merely incidental.
Gen. Pillow now says that, by agreement, Mr..
Trist engaged to pay to Gen. Santa Anna g cash in
hand, as earnest money, ten thousand dollars" to
induce him to entertain negotiations for peace;
and that subsequently Mr.. I. told him (Gen. P)
that Gen. Scott had furnished him (Mr. T) the
money, and that he (Mr IT, had paid the ten thou
sand dollars"
Being morally certain that Mr.. Trist never made
such declaration, it is almost useless to say that
never turned over dollar to him for such or any
other purpose whatever, and am very sure that Mr.
T. had not dollar of public money in his possession
while in Mexico, and never more than suficed for
his very moderate expenses in his private purse and
certify on honor that never, at any time, PAID to
Gen. Santa Anna caused to be paid to him, or to
another for his use or benefit dollar or more on
any account or in any way whatever. president
Santa Anna was at the time, as now, worth millions,
and had in that office the irresponsible control OF all
the pecuniary means of his country. 1t is hardly
probable, therefore, that he would have stopped to
pick up q sack of ten thousand dollars in gold, If
he had accidentally stumbled upon one in private
walk. -.
This blunder of Gen. Pillow grew, no doubt, out of
some hint he confdentiay picked up about head
quarters that had paid that precise sum q" to -
and" for important information received and to
be continued from the enemy's camps and armes-
[See my accounts current with the War Department
secret disbursements printed by order of the Sem
ate, February 1851 1t was lucky, therefore, that
Gen. Pillow, it is certain, from the example before
u.s. he would contrary to the faith and honor o: our
country have published them in full to the ruin of
the parties and their descendants Even Gen. Santa
Anna, if Gen. Pillows credit be worth any thing,
could not now return to Mexico, no matter under
what pledges to lead the life of good and peaceful
citizen.
Writing to the Secretary of War from the city of
Mexico, February 6, 1S4S, said
Il have not reported on the subject of secret dis
bursements since left Jalapa; first, because of the
uncertainty of our communications with Vera Cruz;
and second, the necessity Of certain explanations
which, on account of Others ought not to be reduc-
ed to writing. l may, however, briefly add that
have tempted the honor, conscience or patri-
otism of any man but have held it as lawful in
morals in war to purchase valuable information
services voluntarily rendered me-" Mexican
War Correspondence, House Document, No. 80,
page 1851
rendering my accountcurrent of secret and other
disbursements, and asking for a final settlement,
said:
II am ready to 90, confdentially, into all those
different of receipt and disbursement with the
President the Secretary Of War, or any other
member of the Cabinet am under an obligation
of private and public honor according to the usages
of nations and armies not to disclose names and cir
cumstances, except as above" "On the
plainest principles and usages of nations and war;
and the practice of own Government, in respect
to secret disbursements, can, in few hours, &C.
tSee Senate's Executive Document, No. 81, page
sc, ordered TO be printed Feb. 4, 1857
And that account has been definitely settled on
the principles l had proposed.
word as to Mr.. Trst-long in private life, and
struggling with honorable poverty-whom General
Pillow has SO wantonly dragged before the public
He is represented in the address the cunning and
malignant genius who instigated me-otherwise
good enough sort of man-to acts of injustice and
persecution! The officers in Mexico land Mr. Trist,
distinguished West Pointer, stood with them before
the enemy, the brave among the brave will smile
hear this character of their senior Genera! and his
companion, the negotiator. No man was more ad.
mired than the latter for his quiet unobtrusve
ner and amiablity. He was eargery received and
honored by all foreigners of distinction, diplomats
and others, with whom he came into contact, and
under one signal disadvantage negotiated most
important treaty, which here gladly accepted by
the Senate and the country. For this great service
he is still without reward.
WINFIELD SCOTT.
NEW YORK. Sept 25 1857.