Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-10-04
Erom TIE Hnshinnton lStnte,.
LETTER FROM GENERAL SCOTT-SECRE
HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN WAR.


HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN WAR.
Major General Scott has transmitted to the Ma
ToHaL IHteiigeHcer a note somewhat in re0ly to the
statements made in General Pillows address to the
people of Tennessee. General SCOTS letter does
not betray any of those exacerbated feelings which
ire so painfully evident in General Hitchcock's
communication. We congratulate General Scott on
he possession of such great good humor, and re
commend the high example as most beneficial to
those who may enter into this any other discus
sion in the public prints.
General Scott takes the opposite course from that
pursued by his late Inspector General of the Amer
ian Army in Mexico. He behods the rock on
which General IIitchcock's fury dashed itself, and
takes the matter in a very different spirit, and
expresses himself upon 1t in a very different tone.
Whether be finds rock in his path or not will be
seen. General Scott, does not, as he says himself
enter into any formal recrimnation of Gen Pillow,
Or any defence of himself 1t is in behalf of others
in chief Mr.. n ?. Trist-that Gen. Scott notices
'ssome other points" in the address.
General Scott is Of opinion that while Gen. Pillow
critcises the Mexican campaign "with the holiness
OF master in the art of war;" and 'eulogizes his
own services therein" he blunders in his statement
rs 20 the disbursement of the money by which some
certain Mexican officials were brought up. Scott
rrIhes honor that he never, at any time, paid TO
General Santa Anna, or caused 10 be paid to him. or
90 another for his use and benefit, one dollar or
more, on any account, or in any way whatever. A
lite farther down General Sect says thai Pillows
statement grew, doubt, out of some hint he
eouddenually picked up about headquarters that
had paid that precise sum to - and --' for
important information received and to be continued
from the enemy's camps and armies"
This statement from Gen 9ral Scott puts him in as
great antagonism to Hitchcock did the evidence
on the trial Of Pillow, when they both, instead OF
proving anything against the latter, only di-
rect against each other.
great portion of Hitchcock's letter is devoted to
exposition and defence Of General Scotts motives
u supporting Mr.. Trists negotiations to purchase
he connivance of the Mex can Government at the
defeat Of Mexican arms. Gen. Hitchcock took notes
Of the opinions given at the assembly of general
Ulcers on the evening of the 10th July, 1917 at
the quarters of Gen Scott at Puebla. The meeting
was called by Gen. Scott. After informing the Off
GERS of the approach Of General Pierce with 1000
~ more men, The then disclosed, says Hitchcock,
some proceedings entered upon by Mr.. n. P. Trist,
The United States COmmissiOner-the substance of
which was, that Trist had been informed through
confidential sources that treaty Of peace could be
had with the MericaH Government by the use of a
! little money" Gen. Hitchcock continues:
" A handsome sum had been already appropriated
by the United States Congress for securing treaty.
and the question with Mr.. Trist, as stated by the
General, was as to whether a million Of 1t might not
appropriately be used in the mode suggested by
those in power in the City of Mexico, even though
] 4 bTlDE-tne proposal
from that side. Genl Scott took pains to explain
that lHder no circumstances COuId he initiate 5uch
scheme; but that inasmUch a proposal had come
from Mexico Of peculiar character, he, for his own
part was willing to assist Mr. Trst in executing his
wishes. GEM. Scott did not profess TO advocate
such proceedings in general, and declared that, in
Tie present case, it was for Mr.. Tris himself to de-
ermiue what he might think expedient; but that if
Mr. Trist decided upon the employment Of money
as proposed he (Genl Scott would assist him in
obtaining it. and would defend his motives in the
use of IT,"
Hitchcock proceeds give, from his note book the
opinions of GcnL TWiggs, Pillow, Quitman, and
Shields; after which he says, General Scott re-
peatel that II for Mr.. Trist to determine wheth
er he could properly use the money, adding that he
would assist him to the control OF 1t if he desired
IT," Hitchcock could not dare make up, from the
resources of his fancy, any such account Of meet
ing in which the names Of such brave men are
cLronicled. Such a meeting and for the purpose
indicated, took place. That is beyond contradc-
ton. General Scott gave the opinion accredited to
him take that for granted, and in the face Of 1t,
We cannot regard, save unworthy bubble, the
statement that he did not pay any meney to Santa
Anna, or the Mexican Government, which means the
same thing. As he said at the Puebla Council, il
was for Mr.. Trst to determine" and under that be
shields himself now. Ii he did not himself actually
pay the money, he knew that money was paid and
ayowed himself ready to assist in the control of it,
BY his own statement, Genl Scott acted in concert
with Mr.. Trist; and the latter, no doubt, much
Influenced by having Gent Scott to back up what he
.Trist) conceived would be judicOus
IL matters little to us which Of them really re-
ceived the Mexican propositions, paid the money!
or whether 1t was paid to Santa Anna, or the MeXi-
can Government, - those in power in the City Of
Mexico or 60 and -" for important infor-
nation received from the enemy's camps and armies;
but the money was paid.
General Pillows statements are virtually true.
They admitted by the notebook reports Of Gen.
Hitchcock, and, TO any fair and reasonable mind,
substautiated in fact, if not by express terms, in
General SCOTS letter. The question comes to this
Was there, or was there not money used to pur-
chase Mexican cOnnvance in the success Of the
American arms? There was. Did General Scott
know or not know il? lie admits he did.
The bubble is beneath General Scott, though the
persistent good humOr with which he attempts TO
enyeoP il is commendable.
As 10 saying thar AR Trist had no money, We
have Mr.. Buchauans letter of instructions, saying
that he could 20 as high as S3O,OOO,OOO to make a
sIa-.I faf ..rr.D