Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-12-31


in the hope that the negotiation might be defeated
in some other way and rupture be thus avoided.
This meeting Of General officers took place the
NIGHT after the conference, at Mr.. Trists quarters
i knew nothing of the intended meeting until was
summoned to attend It; nor did know ITS ooJecI
until hat was explained by General scott 70 Inc
Having. at the private conference, agreed to sus'
mend nv opposition for rejection, l should nave
! violated my pledge if had st the meeting OF zen
| eral Office; opposed the negotiation nhen' 'Heie
fore unexpectedly called upon by Gen. Scott Tor my
| opinion (which he already wei Knew ulu--ss
/ Gen Ouitman states-f'after some pause or hest
totiou avnress myself in such manner az TO induce
! the belief that was in favor Of the negotiation
! He doubtless gives the impression made upon his
| mind in his own language; but the position took
was about this, that though | thought the proposed
measures were wrong yet supposed that IN agree
/ ing to them we were choosing the least OF evils
| That At the meeting of General officers l was un-
| derstoo1 as giving the measure my sanction, have
/ never denied On the contrary, IN my. sworn
statement before the Court of Inquiry while IN the
/ CITY of Mexico and likewise 10 my letter IN reply
| to Gen Hitchcock | stated that had agreed with
| Gen Scott temporarily to suspend my opposition,
and that. at the meeting OF General officers did
! so.
But | did not permit myself TO remain in this
| false positiOn; for early next mornlng, went to
Gen. Scott-told him my original opinions we're IN
! chqnced-and opposed the whole matter with so
much warmth and earnestness, that he thanked me
| for the manly manner in which expressed myself
and said he would abandon the whole negotiation ;
and afterwards did read me fromthe book into which
| the original had been copied letter intended TO
relieve himself from the part he mad borne IN the
| matter. Though l do not now remember to have
said TO Gen Ouitman that had changed my views
| las he says / did--yet desiring TO place mysel
r5ght in his estimation, after what occurred ut the
meeting Of General officers andnOs being al liberty
10 explain to him The relations bore TO the Govern
| ment or the Trist mission, the position had
taken the private conference-it is quite probable
| did say to him afterwards that l had changed my
views In the situation in which was placed, thai
was the only course lett Neither Gen. Quitman
nor any other officer at that meeting, (except Gen
Scott had any knowledge OF my connection with
that mission Cen Scott, however, did know IL, and
! | isdi gnanuy repel the impuJatioE made by Gen.
! Hitchcock, and repeated by Gen. Scott, Of being
"spy upon Gen. Scott, or Mr.. Tris base SANDER
How could have been called TO the private confer
ence with MIR. Trist and Gen. Scott, aud consulted
about these very negoli tons, without Gen. Scott
knowing my connection with his mission, and the
relations bore TO the Government Why was in
vited to it, if was not known to occupy ''semt-o-
ciaI relations acith Mr. Trjst?" Knowing these facts,
/ what right has he to say | "was s spy upon him
and MIR. first! The statement Is antTue, and the
facts stated clearly prove that lac knew it to be
| true when he made 1t.
In my address stated that l opposed the armis-
| tice-which was the first evidence had that Gen.
Scott acting upon and carrying into eject the Pueb-
| Ia negotiations Has reference the statements Of
! Gen. Quitman, that ] sanctioned his views at the
meeting Of General officers, intended discredit
my statement Of opposition TO the armlstlce. One
| Of his charges against me, which was Investigated
before the Court of Inquiry was, that was in favor
OF this armistee before Ii granted, and opposed
to it afterwards. He vainly sought establish this
| H. A. - ba r41tln
charge against me, he had in his possession writ
ten note IRON e-(delivered to him by Gen Pierce,
one of the Commissioners i'm which l urged him,
as modesy l could, and in language as little Of
iensive to his feelings possible, not 10 grant hs
drnlsiics lciout the surrendtr Of tie city, and in any
event. and at all hazares TO require the surrender OF
! Chapultepec. Before writing this note, had had
two personal interviews with Gen. Soott-One on the
battle field of Cburubusco, ami Immediately after
hauling the army under his orders--rhe other, al
! Tucabaya next day, in conjunction with Gen Worth,
! IN which yainly opposed ms purpose OF granting
an armistice Finding him immOvable in his pur
pose and being then satisfied that he was carrying
into effect the Puebla negotiations l addressed him
the following note, which Gen Pierce proved he de-
livered before the commission was organized, to fix
upon the terms OF the armistice:
AUGUST 23d, 1S47.
My DEAR GESERAL: You will, l sure, apPre-
| ciate my motives, when, as your friend, fast and
true, ask if you coud not so modify the terms OF
The proposed armistce, to authorize q friendly
intercourse Of the officers and soldiers TO limited
extent, under charge Of their Othcers with the city
! So far as l am concerned. care nothing about it;
! but your gallant army, which has suffered so much,
! and endured so much and which now venerate your
name will, know, be greatly mortified and disap-
| pointed being excluded from the city with your
sanction.
II / lgeTe tie Commanding General of the army,
(aHrious am for Psacs / should demand the sur
render Of the city, But in any ereH and at ell hGz-
ards should require the surrender Of Chapultepec,
and the above suggested rights Of intercourse with
the city.
As your friend, l cannot, in justice to my feelings
withhold this expression Of my opinion.
Yours, truly,