The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-09-22
secret History Of the MeAi'
can War.
Letter from General PittO'o to the people
of Tennessee.


feel that it is not improper for me briefly to
refer to the motives which have prompted
my course. and to state the principles by
which shall be governed if honored with
your confidence.
1t is known to you that have not hereto
fore sought political -honors. That have
actively participated in all the great politi-
cal struggles through which the country
has passed for many years, is not unknown
to the Democracy of my immediate neigh
borhood; but my participation has been
that of a soldier in the ranks-neither ask
ing nor receiving any share in the fruits OF
victory.
Incidental to the humble part have per-
formed, was an active participation in the
nomination of Mr. Polk, and in the struggle
which resulted in placing him in the presi-
Dental chair. That event was followed by
the war with Mexico. The part | bore in
that war il known to the country. All that
have to say of those services is, that
tried to perform my duty in the difficult and
irving positions in which ! was placed
q
mand appeal as witnesses of my kindness
and attention to their wants amidst the dis
eases of a presidential climate and the hard
ships Of camp life. To the reports of
General Scott, my immediate and only SUI
perior in the army with which fought, re-
fer for the manner in which / bore myself
i'm command. and sustained the honor of
Tennessee upon the many battle fields OF
Mexico. General Scott was under no sus-
picion of partality for me; and | may,
therefore, without indelicacy refer to his
reports for my bearing upon those fields
which have reflected so much honor upon
our common country. BY them / am will
ling to be judged.
While was thus engaged in a foreign
war, endeavoring to maintain the right and
defending the honor of the country, malig-
nant party press at home was perPetualIy
pouring its volumes of abuse and calumny
upon me. All that ridiculc, falsehood and
calumny could do to destroy my reputation
was done. My only answer to these as
saults was the blows / gave the enemy in
front. felt that in vindicating my reputa-
tion as a soldier with my sword, test an
swered the fire of the enemy in the rear
The close of the brilliant campaign which
resulted in the capture of the enemy's CAPT
tai found me ''cut dOacn"
In a few days afterwards, and while pros
trate upon bed from which did not rise
for many months, | was arrested A sword
which | had not dishOnoIed was wrestcd
from my side-my personal staff was dis
memhered, and my gallant division, which
had cut its way into the city at loss of
nearly thirds of its members, was taken
from my command, and ordered to remote
and interior position in Mexico. / was con-
fined prisoner in the city of Mexico for
ninety days, and until released by order of
the President of the United States.
A long investigation of the charges pre-
ferred against me resulted in the triumphant
vindication of my reputation, and in over
whelming my enemies and prosecutors with
shame and falsehood.
But there is mystery, secret history
in the motives of those who thus sought to
destroy my character, and to strip me of
the humble honor of services which cost me
SO much suffering, which has never yet been
understood by the country. That mystery
L now propose to remove.
1t is due to my own reputation, to the
memory of the great and patriotic statesman
who was then Chief Magistrate of the ma
ton, and to the truth of history, that the
veil which has now, for ten years, conceal
cd the truth from the public, should be lift
ed.
In appointing mission to travel with the
army and treat for peace, (if an opportunity
should offer,) the grade of diplomatic duty
to be performed, and the emoluments there
to attached, made it impossible for the
President to find a statesman who would ac-
cept the place. The man selected for that
position was Mr. n. p. Trist. Bat, either
distressing his ability, or Judgment, or pru-
dence, or all these, President Polk was not
satisfied to place the honor of the country
and his administration in his hands alone.
BY his confidential letters, now in nv
Mr. Trist as to place me in semi-offcial re-
lations with him as a commissioner. The
dIty was enioined upon Mr. Trist of taking
me into all his conferences, and to consult
me in all his negotiations The duty was
imposed upon me as a patriot and the de-
voted friend of the President, to guard, and
protect the honor of the country and of his
administration against any and everything
which thought would tarnish the one or
the other. 1t will hence be seen that. while
Mr. Trist was the ostensible commissioners.
was, in fact, the confidential officer of the
Government, upon whom the President re-
lied to guard and protect the honor of the
country in the important negotiations in
volving the peace of the country.
When reach the head quarters of the
army at Puebla, / was invited to a confer
ence with Mr. Trist. On my arrival at his
quarters, found General Scott there. Mr.
Trist informed me that he had opened me-