The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-09-10

customer who VIZ Outlive them oil.
Som. ~ ne secrets o. the mexscan Wss-sN-
tercssirV DsvslopsmcntA from Gen. P1nSw'
The country has long been puzzled 70 know
who was the "high Mexican General to whom
Gen. Scott paid ten thousand dollars during the
campaign in Mexico, and has wondered not lit
lie at the armistice between him and Santa Anna
after the battles of the valley of Mexico and be-
fore the taking Of the city.
These mysteries are now explained. Gen. Pill
low, In his desire to be Senator for Tennessee has
made clean breast of II in an address, which we
publish in another column. 1t will be remembered
that in Gen. Scotts report to the government Of
his expenditures during the campaign, the name
of the worthy recipient of the highest bride paid
during the war is left in blank. From Pillows
report 10 the people we nov learn that it was no
other than that arch scamp, Santa Auna himself
The whole history Of the affair, with its attend
ant circumstances. forms n very curious confes
sion. President Polk being in want OF cheap
commissioner to travel with the army, ard do the
negotiating while Scott did the fighting pitched
upon Trist, Who was chief clerk in the State Depart
ment; but discussing his abilities, he after ward
detailed his old law partner, General Pillow, to
watch both Trist and Scott, something as q nurse
watches a couple of children during sIol in
Union square.
On arriving in Mexico Pillow finds the fight
ing man and the negotiator deep in arrangements
with Santa Anna, under the stipuiatious of which
they were to have a great fight, The Mexicaus
were to play whipped in the valley of Mexico,
Ga armistice was to be granted, and peace made.
liz consideration OF this Santa Anna was to re-
ceive che million OF dollars after the game
was played and did receive beforehand, as an
earnest the sum Of ten thousand dollars ON ac-
CONT. How Santa Anna humbugged the pair in
this matter, and whether he meant TO sell his
country for round million, belongs TO another
chapter This nice little arrangement was inter-
ferod with 10y Pillow, vino protested against it,
end wrote full account Of the matter TO President
Polk Trist was recalled but the order did not
teach Mexico until the fighting was over, and the
ridiculous treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo had been
made.
The course Of Pillow was perfectly well known
TO Tfist and he shilfully awaited himself Of
SCOTS feelings and prejudices to indamc
bin against several officers and from
this came the celebrated arrest OF Pillow, Worth
ind Duncan. The correspondence and proceed
ings consequent upon this step are well known,
These it WAS and the foolish position in
which Gen. Scott was placed by his correspond
once with Marcy, that lost him The nomination
for the Presidency in lStS and the election in
1852. His "hasty plate of soup" his " fire in
the rear" and other slips of the pen, were the
most potent weapons that were used against him.
and they cflectualy furnished for time his bril-
liant military reputation. In the exhibit that
Gen. Pillow now makes it is not difficult to per-
coive that Santa Anna was effectually humbug-
ging both him ard Trist, though no one will
doubt that the high Mexican General" would
have taken the million Of dollars if circumstances
had not prevented his getting it. This letter
writing between the men Of the sword and the
trained politicians always has resulted disas-
trously 10 the soldier, ard always will There is
one going on now that viii have q precisely
similar result. Gen. Wool has undertaken pen
warfare with the slippery ex-Secretay of War to
poor Pierce. The fMe Of Scott is an evidence Of
what great results may 1ow from small causes
aud should teach Gen. Wool TO be careful Of a
reputation that may jet be useful for great
purposes.