Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-02-06
| THE CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GEN
SCOTT M SECRETARY DAVIS.

SCOTT AND SeChE LAM DAVIS.
WA,BIyGTos, Feb. 4.-1ho correspondence he
tween Gen. Scott and Secretary Davis il quite 20
luminous. From r hasty examination OF the various
ocuneni i appears that Gen. Scott declined to
give open and sneclnc information to Mr.. Davis re-
yardipg the expenditure o. tue secfei acrvlce money
in Mexico, believing tina: no obligation of public or
oriyat. honor. according TO the useges OF nations and
armies, required bin 20 disclose names and circum
stances. lie however Expressed q willingness 10
give such information for his private eal a,nce which
The Secretary said he was willing 10 receive in conf
deace. In November, 1855, the President of the
United States writes To Secretary Davis saying in
substance:-"Gen ell. ScJts states two grounds on which
he has learned that | hesita,sd &c a!law the five per
cent. commission. II is proper to reTlnrk that be
has been misiuformed ar misapprehended my posi-
ton. He himself fired3 3. per cent, which he might
properly receive for his disbursements in Mexico;
and a balance struck upon that basis, was the sub.
ject Of conversation be!weenus."
MIR. Davis, in response 10 the President. informs
him that Gen. Scot Lad charged himself with the
sum of SOL ,6gl, ali u. Which. excepting 5000,
were levied and captured in Mexico, aud too. credit
TOR disbrrsing S2j5,5ll, leaving S6,l55 withheld BY
Gen. Scott on his account. Tins balance the Presi
dent authorized Geu. Scott, through the Secretary Of
War, to retain.
Gen. Scott, in a letter dated Rev York, December,
1855, writes that there are two items, making all $50
against him, rs not admitted or disaliowed by the
Pre.idea, Oh account Of five per cent. charged by
him on ell moneys disbursed. He says il was entire.
" within the competency Ut she President TO allow
| that charge, aiiu lie eskS itibt suit De Drought against
him by the government 10 recover the amount claim.
I'd 10 be due by him, nearly }6,OUG. But the Presi-
den. declined 10 enter suit. There are many rxplana.
lions relative 10 these fgure,, but the financial parts
OF the transaction cannot be fairly understood by this
mere reference 10 the subject.
Among the documents is the opinion Of Attorney
General Cushing, dated January. 1856, 10 the eff-ct
tha, the act creating the grads OF lieutenant general
dOss not coller upon Gen. Scot; oil the authority
which was imposed by i.e law Of 1853 uPon Wash
iprtnn tchn gaa fNHrstE InHIe the rpuparIsr nj The
armies, while Gen. Scott vas appointed lieutenant
general by orGer Of the President Of the United States.
IL carries retrospective pay and emo.uments, but hot
retrospective authority
Gen. Scott correspondence with the officers OF the
government goes back as far as l84s, and that be-
tween him and the Secretary OF War during 1888,
contains the following features Mr.. Davis, on July
18th, says: IL leave unn"ticed the exhibition OF
peevish temper IN reply 10 az inquiry from his de.
partment," etc. Gen. Scott replies, july 80 Il;
would be easy TO slow that the whole letter in which
you charge ne wilh exhibiting q peevish temper is
&c fippant IN its statements and icgic a. in hat nccu'
sation." Certainly as Secretary Of War you have
done enough 10 warrant more than a suspicion that
from the first you have Considered /, your special mis-.
sion, by repeated aggression op my rights and feelings,
to goad ME into soma pernous attitude Of official op-
position"
"To prove my long forbeerancs, for at my time Of
life all angry discussions are painful, | will now pro.
coed 10 euuu,srete some OF the provocaticns alluded
TO, without dIating in thi, place on your partisan
hostility TO the 5revet OF lieutenant general, and 10
the compensation Congress intended 20 attach there.
to-" The General then allud-. 70 one of tine Score.
tary's "~cap:ious reior;s' aud HE ~"capping the climax
oy usurpation and abscrdlty.' He likewise Gays:
Following out your personal rehuke il the letter OF
the l2,h, your object 10 violation CT principle, ia 10
crush me into a servi!e obedience 10 your .el!-wil. /
know your cbs,inscy. and / know also what is due
TO myself "a a man and q soldier. and If I am to be
orsshed, I prefer it at the hands of my military
psers.'
The Secretary reioin,. In an unosi cisI note dated
August %: Your present accusation charges me
with usur pation for ,he most unworthy end. and i'm
putes 10 me motives inconsistent with osicia! in!egri.
~, is considered baseIy malevolent and pronounced
utterly false"
General Scott replying, August 9Th, say.:-'l have
received a note from you dated on the I'd INST. witch
you seem 20 desire me- TO consider rs unotficiai. l
shall not comply with your singular fancy, az you
can have no legitimate claim 10 address me except
az Secretary of War. Accordingly, l sha!! treat Your
communication, whether designed rs private and
scur.iious or as public mi.sives OF arrogance and
supsssil0uspss', a. equally odaSia!' There are beau