The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-09-22

Santa Anna insisted that General Scott
should send the flag. but General Scott in
sistinp. if he won the battle, Santa Anna
should do so. He further said Gen. Scott
had furnished him the money, and that he
had paid the $4,000 required to be paid in
advance, and that General Scott had the
means in the disbursing department of the
army, or could raise the means, &c paying
the million to be paid at the conclusion OF
the negotiations. He also said he had III
vited me to the conference in pursuance of
the order of the President, and desired my
approval of the terms.
/ / asked Mr. Trist if there was any law au-
thorizing such use of the public money !
He replied there was not. l then asked
him If the President had authorized such a
use of it. He replied he had not, but he
thought it was the best he could do.
Regarding this as an improper use of the
public money, and as bribe to the COM
mander of the enemy's forces, and as dis
honoring the Government, and disgraceful
to our army. at once protested against the
! whole matter.
Gen. Scott justified and defended the
measure, both upon the score of morals and
as to the usage of governments. He said
we were not corrupting Santa Anna; for
the fact that he was found in the market
asking bride, was proof that he was already
corrupted.
In regard to the practice of governments,
he said it was a usage of governments to
effect their purposes, when necessary, by
money, and that our Government had sane
toned the practice. He said the presents
made by it to the chiefs of Indian tribes,
! and to the Barbary powers, were nothing
| but brides. He further said that, in the
settlement of the northeastern boundary
question, $500, 900 had been used-no one
knows how, but the officers of the Govern
ment, unless it was used to bride the Maine
press. He mentioned other instances in
which the Government had expended large
sums of money in this way.
Finding General Scott clear as to the
rich of the measure, and earnest in his CO.
operation with Mr. Trist, and not being fami-
liar myself with the usages of other Govern
ments, nor the practice of our own, /
doubted what ought to do; and in defer
ence to his wishes and judgment, suspended
my opposition until days reflection had
confirmed my opinion of duty to my coun-
try. On the night after the conference took
place, Gen. Scott called a council of gen.
eral officers, to whom he made known what
had been done in the way of negotiation,
and to whom he expressed substantially the
views and opinions above detailed.
Being satisfied, after reflection, that my
first impressions were right, / went next
day to Gen. Scott and Mr. Trist, and pro-
tested so earnestly against the whole matter
that they both said / was right, and that
they would abandon the negotiations.
then thought they were sincere in their pur-
pose to abandon it, and all idea of peace to
! be thus obtained.
In few days afterwards the army COM
menced the march for the valley of Nari"o-
We reached the Valley-had fought the
battle of Contreras and Churubusco, Ia
continuous fight that lasted nearly two
days,) when at last every portion of the
field was won by the indomitable valor of
the American army; and whilst pursuing
the enemy at the head of the army, and al
most within the gates of the city, received
Gen. SCOTS order to halt the army and fall
back to his position, when l learned from
him that it was his purpose to grant an ar
mistice.
The enemy had sent no flag of truce, nor
had he asked an armistice. at once told
General Scott the city was in his power
that I thought he ought to take it, provide
for the wants of his army, and then grant
an armistice if the enemy desired it.
Gen. Scott replied that his purpose was
settled, and gave orders for the disposition
of the army for the night then approaching.
Next day 1 went to Gen. SCOTS head
quarters, taking Gen. Worth with me, and
we both earnestly protested against the ar
mistice, but to no purpose.
Still not satisfied, the same day address,
ed written remonstrance to Gen. Scott,
which sent by Gen. Pierce-still more
| earnestly protesting against this armlstlce,
as likely greatly to endanger the safety of
the army in future operations. But all my
efforts were of no avail. / was now satisfied
that Gen. Scott was acting under the infu-
ence and wishes of Mr. Trist. and that he
was carrying into effect the Puebla nego-
tiations. That in doing so, if we got peace,
it would be at the cost of the honor of the
army and of the government of the country.
That if we got no peace, Santa Anna would
avail himself of the armistice to recruit his
beaten and disorganized army. to complete
his defensive works, and to remove his
heavy artillery from the front we had turn
ed to the front we were assailing. And that
in the event of Santa Annals bad faith in
this negotiation. we were giving up all the
adv antages gained by the battle of Contre-
ras and Churubusco, (Which had cost US the