Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-10-07

1t was at this conference that the terms Of the
negotiation agreed to by Mr.. Trist were first
made known to me. 1t was here that made
known my opposition. 1t was then that Gen
Scotts arguments induced me to doubt as to
my duty, and that /, at his request, and in def
erence to his wishes and opinions, agreed to
suspend my opposition until reflection should
satisfy me as to my duty. l stated in my ad-
dress that the following night Gen. Scott called
council OF general officers, to whom he ex
pressed, substantially, the same views and
opinions he had in the conference held at Trist's
quarters. did not, however, pretend to give
the opinions or views expressed at that meet
ing, either by myself or any one else; AID re-
ferrcd to what took place at this meeting of
general officers simply to let the public under
stand that others, beside myself, knew the facts
L have stated that at the private conference /
had agreed to suspend my opposition. and
now state that, at the meeting Of general off,
GERS, ] did not make known my opposition but
said, in substance, that though 1 thought the
whole matter was wrong yet l supposed We
were choosing the least Of evils in agreeing to
the proposed terms. This L did in conformity
with my agreement to suspend my opposition
until better satisfied as to my duty. Hitch
cSSk "nOtes written at the time are like
those he produced on the Investigation before
the court about the hour at which Gen. Scott
arrived on the battlefield on the 10th of August
which were proven to be false by half dozen
witnesses. These notes do not correctly give
what was said by any general officer present
except Gen. Cadwallader, who expressed no
opinion. But that is M.ir matter, not mine
| further said in my address az is seen from
the above quotation, that next day, being sat
lshed after reflection that my first impressions
were right, went to General Scott and Mr
Trist and protested so earnestly against the
whole matter, that they both agreed was
right, and that they would abandon the nego-
tiatiOns.
The meeting of general officers had no duty
to perform in civil capacity. My position, las
a confidential officer of the Cove rnment was not
known to them Mr.. Trist was not even pres
ent. 1t was called by Gen Scott and as had
agreed to suspend, temporarily, my opposition,
did so. If, at this meeting, l committed an
error, in not expressing the opinions / enter
timed, it proceeded from my respect for Gen
Scott and my anxiety not TO thwart his wishes.
But did not fail to rightmyself at the earliest
moment afterwards, with Mr. Trist, with whom
my duties associated me and with Gen Scott
at whose request L had agreed to suspend my
opposition, for reflection.
These are the facts as they are stated, SUBJ
stantislly in my address and as Hitchcock
knew them to be from that address and vet he
comes forward, protesting to have a pSrSOnaI
AnOwLedge Of all the facts, and with his notes
(evidentiy written for the place they occupy in
his letter. makes me the warm advocate of the
whole corrupt egotiatiOn-armistice and all
when my opposition TO the whole proceeding is
as well known. and was as fully proven, as any
proposition catld be that depended upon hu-
man testimony.
He says Congress had made liberal appro-
priation to procure peace, and thinks it would
not be so great wrong to use n little Of IL,
even in the way OF bribe. He feels that if he
could implicate me in this business, he would
thereby efectually screen himself and his chief
associate in turpitude, Trist from the condem-
nation Of a just public opinion.
This gross perversiOn Of my position. and his
effort to raise falls, issue between myself and
Gen Smith. and to ascribe Gen. Scotts rupture
with ue to my refusal to modify my official re-
port, il but another shameless attempt at false.
hood at which he has shown himself quite as
adrOit as he was reckless in swearing before the
court
TOunder5tand the Importance of his question,
and how greatly the American army was en-
dangered by the terms of this negotiation, as
acreed up0H, it is necessary to look at the rela-
tive strength and position Of the two armies at
the time. The Mexican army was 81, 900 strong
and was in city with population of POO, 900
inhabitants, defended by double lines of defen-
siyc works, with over 100 pieces of artillery and
with this army. The American army consisted
of II 300 men, all told was in the midst Of tho
enemy's country, without supporting force, and
without the possibility of early reintorcemcnts.
From this statement of the relative strength
and position Of the two armies how fearfully
were the chances against our success, Yet, by
the tcrDts as 0srreH UFoH, if Santa Anna won
the GltttC, the survivors Of the American army
would be within his power and at his mercy
If we won, he had provided by tie 0rmistice,
for the safety of himself his army, and the city
If peace ensued, he got the million and ten
thousand dollars. If peace did not ensue, he
got time to make every necessary preparation
for renewing tho bloody struggle, with greatly
increased chances of success, from our reduced
force. ......-..-.
1t will thus he seen that Gen .-Scott and Santa
Anna had agreed to play the game of "open
and shut the stake being the lives and blood
of our army, and Santa Anna having "he
hoid." That the army in such a conflict did
not perish was owing to its own tndOmttaJt
r0fOr. As it was, it cut it's way into the city
at the cost of nearly half it's numbers. 1t was
against these terms that protested.
In my address | stated that Mr.. Trist made
an agreement with Santa Anna land that tien
Scott approved and sanctioned iD by which
Santa Anna was to receive, cash in hand, $l0,-
600; that our army was to march to the valley
of Mexico; fight battle before the city; if we
won Scott was 10 grant an armlstlce-Santa
Anna was to appoint commissioners tO treat for
peace, and when peace was concluded he was
To receive ono million more; that Scott or
Trist paid the ten thousand dollars before leav-
ing Puebla; that we marched TO the valley,
fought the battle, had the city in his power,
halted the army at the gate Of the city,
dered it to fall back rithOnt a flag oftmcs
from the enemy, and granted an armistice; that
Santa Anna was allowed time to recruit his ar
N.Y. strengthen the defences of the city. and
thus to make it necessary to fight over his bat
ties, which cost the army the blood Of ,672
men that it was thus manifest that General
Scott Gcted upsn and carried oRt The terms
of the Puebla negotiations; that opposed the
whole proceeding, not as spy upon Gen Scott,
but as associate commissioner with Mr..
Trist; that my position was known both to
Gen. Scott and Mr.. Trist; that, finding L
could not arrest these proceedings, alike dis
graceful 10 the Government and dangerous 10
the army, reported all the facts to the Presi
ident, who thereupon recalled Mr. Trist; that
shortly afterwards | was arrested and held
prisoner In the City of Mexico, until / was re-
lieved from arrest by order cf the President of
the United States.
This was the substance of that address. Does
H.. l. l.. - a