Washington, where it was known that he had mani-
fested an anxious desire to receive, in person, the
command of the armies in the field. J
What those grievances were of which General
Scott complained, were set forth in detail in his let-
ter of February 24th, 1848.
That document set out with some extraordinary
assumptions, § and contained several specifications
* " Considering the many cruel disappointments and mortifications I
have been made to feel since I left Washington, or the total want of sup-
port and sympathy on the part of the War Department which I have so
long experienced, I beg to be recalled from this army the moment that it
may be safe for any person to embark at Vera Cruz, which I suppose will
be early in November." — Dispatch of General Scott to (he Secretary of
War, June 4th, 1847. Executive Documents, 1st sessionSOth Congress,
vol. 7, p. 994.
f " Regarding the inducements you have assigned for begging to be
recalled, as deserving to have very little influence on the question, it will
be decided by the President with exclusive reference to the puhlic good.
When that shall render it proper, in his opinion, to withdraw yon from
your present command, his determination to do so will be made known to
you." — Letter of the Secretary of War to General Scott, July 12///, 1847.
Executive Documents, 1st session 30th Congress, vol. 7, p. 1002.
I " Considering that you had claimed, as a matter of right due to your
superior rank, to be placed at the head of our armies in the field, in a state
of actual war, and had earnestly besought that position as a matter of favor,
the President was not a little surprised that, after so brief a period of ser-
vice, you should ask to be recalled." — Ibid., p. 1001.
5 "As the officers detailed for the court of inquiry before which I am
ordered to appear as a criminal, are not known to have arrived in the coun-
try, I avail myself of a moment's leisure to recall some of the neglects,
262 ii [sro b v o v the
which were triumphantly refuted by the Secretary
of War, in an argument, which for logical power
has seldom been surpassed, and obtained for its au-
thor a high reputation.
The first charge made by General Scott was
the want of time which was allowed him before his
departure from Washington, only four days having
been granted, when twenty might have been em-
ployed with great benefit to the service. To which
Mr. Marcy responded that he was not restricted as
to time, and that it was not until after he had re-
ported himself ready for departure, that he was
ordered away; and that instead of going directly
to Mexico, his desire was granted to pass through
New- York, where he remained nearly a week ; and
that he did not arrive in New-Orleans until 26 days
after he left Washington. *
Another accusation was a refusal upon the part
of the cabinet to permit one of three accomplished
captains whom he had named, to act as his assistant
adjutant-general, alleging that there was a vacancy
which he desired to be filled by one of those per-
sons. This the administration could not grant, first
upon the ground that there was no vacancy, and if
there had been, a compliance with his wishes would
have produced a violation of the rules which go-
verned the service. He then charged upon the ad-
disnppointments, injuries and rebukes which have been inflicted upon me
by tin' \V;tr Department since my departure from Washington, November
23d, 18)tl." — Litter of General Scott to the Secretary of War, February
S\'h. ]S|H.
* Letter of the Secretary of War to General Scott, April 21st, 1848.
Executive Documents, 1st session 30th Congress, vol. 2, p. 1,228.
POLK ADMINISTRATION. 263
ministration a failure to supply the necessary vessels
to transport the troops from Tampico and the Bra-
zos to Vera Cruz, and that his operations were de-
layed from the 15th of January until the 9th of
March.* If there is any force at all in this charge,
it means that on the 15th of January the army un-
der General Scott was ready to embark at that
time, and for want of transportation, occasioned by
the fault of the Government, they were delayed
until the 9th of March. There are two facts which
conclusively answer this complaint. First, the regu-
lars from Taylor's column, who were an important
part of Scott's force, did not arrive at the place of
embarkation until after the 25th of January, ten
days subsequently to the time indicated by the
Commander-in-chief as the period when he was
ready to embark ; and second, he bore testimony
himself to the faithful performance of his duty by
the Quartermaster General,-)- who was subject to his
orders, and was in a position to execute them with
the greatest promptitude.
The complaint which he made of being rebuked
for releasing on parole the prisoners taken at Cerro
* " Relying upon them, confidently, the embarkation was delayed in
whole or in part, at the Brazos and Tampico, from the 15th of January to
the 9th of March, leaving, it was feared, not half the lime needed for the
reduction of Vera Cruz and its castle before the return of the yellow fever."
—Letter of General Scott to the Secretary of War, February 2-Uh, 1848.
Executive Documents, 1st session 30//i Congress, vol. 7, p. 1220.
f " The Quartermaster General, Brevet Major General Jesnp, at New-
Orleans, I find, has taken all proper measures with judgment and prompti-
tude, to provide every thing depending on his department for the dispatch and
success of my expedition."— Dispatch of General Scott to the Secretary
of War, January 26th, 1847. Executive Documents, 1st session 30th
Congress, vol. 7.
264 HISTORY OF THE
Gordo, is far from being sustained "by the language
which Mas addressed to him on that subject *
It was very unfortunate for General Scott that
he brought his accusations against the administra-
tion ; and so far from evincing sympathy from the
American people and improving his prospects for
the Presidential chair, his warmest friends felt that
his hopes were blasted by the crushing reply of the
Secretary of War. The opposition members of
Congress who were disposed to favor the nomina-
tion of General Scott for the Presidency, expected
to increase his popularity by the publication of the
correspondence between himself and the War De-
partment ; while others, whose preferences were
exhibited for another military chieftain, hoped by
bringing odium upon the administration, to obtain
a triumph over the democratic party. Foiled in
their expectations, they could only express their in-
dignation, because Mr. Marcy furnished under the
call of the House of Representatives of the 17th
of April, 1848, his celebrated reply to General
Scott, dated on the 21st. f
( >n the L8th of February, 1848, the Commander-
in-chief of the army of invasion was informed that
he was relieved from further duty in Mexico. It is
a subject of much rcgivt, that one who had led our
conquering legions to the far-famed Halls of the
Montezumas, could not still retain the command
* Letter of the Secretary of War to General Scott, May 31st ; 1847.
t The letter of General Scotl and the reply of the Secretary of War
e found in the Appendix. Volume 7 Executive Documents, 1st ses-
sion 30th Congress, pp. 1218 to 1261 inclusive.
POLK ADMINISTRATION. 265
until the treaty of peace was ratified. As it was,
however, he had won all the glory which could be
obtained in that celebrated campaign, and the posi-
tion bestowed upon Butler as his successor, conferred
but an empty honor.
Although a brave, courteous, and gallant officer,
General Butler had many superiors in point of mili-
tary skill, in the valley of Mexico. The necessity
which rendered his appointment imperative, is a
subject of much regret. To rank those heroic chief-
tains who had assisted to elevate the military re-
nown of our country upon the sanguinary fields of
Mexico, with an officer who had participated to only
a limited degree in the contest, should, if possi-
ble, have been avoided. If honor was to be con-
ferred, almost every General Officer in the valley
was entitled to the position. If danger was appre-
hended, the profound military skill and great abili-
ties of General Worth, designated him as the appro-
priate successor of General Scott.* He possessed
the ardor and impetuosity of Murat, the bravery
and inflexible determination of Ney, the ability and
judgment of Massena, and the bearing and frankness
of Macdonald.
The document signed by Mr. Trist, at Guada-
lupe Hidalgo, was received by the President in
February, 1848, and produced at Washington a
strong feeling of indignation against Mr. Trist for
* It was supposed that the President was induced to order Butler to
Mexico, owing to the feelings with which Pillow had inspired the army.
He was next in rank to General Scott, and consequently would have suc-
ceeded him in the command of the army, but for the presence of General
Butler.
266 HISTORY OF THE
his unauthorized assumption of power. Mr. Polk
submitted the document to his constitutional advi-
sers, and after a warm and animated debate, the
treaty, with certain amendments, was ratified March
10th, 1848, thirty-eight Senators voting for, and four-
teen against it. Messrs. Sevier and Clifford were ap-
pointed Commissioners for the purpose of obtaining
a ratification of the treaty from the Mexican Gov-
ernment at Queretaro, which was done on the 30th
of May, 1848. The Americans soon after evacuated
the Mexican territory* The results of the war
♦"TREATY
Of peace, friendship, limits and settlement between the United States of America
and the Mexican Republic. Dated at Guadalupe Hidalgo, February 2,
1848; ratified by the President of the United States, March 16, 1848; ex-
changed at Queretaro, May 30, 1848 ; proclaimed by the President of the
I ited States. July 4, 1848.
"By the President of the United States of America.
"A PROCLAMATION.
■• Whereas, a treaty of peace, friendship, limits, and settlement, be-
tween the United States of America and the Mexican Republic, was con-
cluded and signed at the city of Guadalupe Hidalgo, on the second day
of February, one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight, which treaty, as
amended by the Senate of the United States, and being in the English and
Spanish languages, is word for word as follows :
■• In the name of the Almighty God : the United States of America,
and the United Mexican States, animated by a sincere desire to put an end
to the calamities of the war which unhappily exists between the two repub-
lics, and to establish upon a solid basis relations of peace and friendship,
which .-hall confer reciprocal benefits upon the citizens of both, and assure
the concord, harmony, and mutual confidence wherein the two people
Bhould live, as good neighbors, have for that purpose appointed their re-
Bpective plenipotentiaries, thai is to say, the President of the United States
has appointed Nicholas P. Trist, a citizen of the United States, and the
President of the Mexican Republic lias appointed Don Luis GonzagaCue-
vas, Don Bernardo Couto, and Don Miguel Atristain, citizens of the said
republic, who, after a reciprocal communication of their respective full
POLK ADMINISTEATION 267
with Mexico, which was thus terminated tiy a treaty
of peace, will exert a vast influence over the destiny
of the confederacy. The alacrity with which the
powers, have, under the protection of the Almighty God, the author of
peace, arranged, agreed upon, and signed the following
Treaty of peace, friendship, limits, and settlement, between the United
States of America and the Mexican Republic.
" ARTICLE I.
" There shall be firm and universal peace between the United States of
America and the Mexican Republic, and between their respective coun-
tries, territories, cities, towns, and people, without exception of places or
persons.
" article n.
" Immediately upon the signature of this Treaty, a Convention shall
be entered into between a commissioner or commissioners, appointed by
the General-in-chief of the forces of the United States, and such as may
be appointed by the Mexican Government, to the end that a provisional sus-
pension of hostilities shall take place, and that, in the places occupied by
the said forces, constitutional order may be re-established, as regards the
political, administrative, and judicial branches, so far as this shall be per-
mitted by the circumstances of military occupation.
" ARTICLE III.
" Immediately upon the ratification of the present treaty by the Gov-
ernment of the United States, orders shall be transmitted to the commanders
of their land and naval forces, requiring the latter (provided this treaty shall
then have been ratified by the Government of the Mexican Republic, and
the ratifications exchanged) immediately to desist from blockading any
Mexican ports ; and requiring the former (under the same condition) to
commence at the earliest moment practicable, withdrawing all troops of
the United States then in the interior of the Mexican Republic, to the
points that shall be selected by common agreement, at a distance from the
seaports not exceeding thirty leagues ; and such evacuation of the interior
of the Republic shall be completed with the least possible delay ; the Mex-
ican Government hereby binding itself to afford every facility in its power
for rendering the same convenient to the troops, on their march and in
their new positions, and for promoting a good understanding between them
and the inhabitants. In like manner, orders shall be dispatched to the per-
sons in charge of the custom-houses, at all ports occupied by the forces
268 histoey of the
volunteers rushed to the standard of their country,
and bore it aloft into the heart of the enemy's ter-
ritory, and the gallantry with which they preserved
of the United States, requiring them (under the same condition) imme-
diately to deliver possession of the same to the persons authorized by the
Mexican Government to receive it, together with all bonds and evidences
of debts for duties on importations and on exportations, not yet fallen due.
Moreover, a faithful and exact account shall be made out, showing the
entire amount of all duties on imports and on exports collected at such cus-
tom-houses, or elsewhere in Mexico, by authority of the United States,
from and after the day of the ratification of this Treaty by the Government
of the Mexican Republic ; and also on account of the cost of collection;
and such entire amount, deducting only the cost of collection, shall be de-
livered to the Mexican Government, at the city of Mexico, within three
months after the exchange of the ratifications.
" The evacuation of the capital of the Mexican Republic, by the
troops of the United States, in virtue of the above stipulations, shall be
completed in one month after the orders there stipulated for shall have
been received by the commander of said troops, or sooner if possible.
"article rv.
"Immediately after the exchange of ratifications of the present treaty ?
all castles, forts, territories, places, and possessions, which have been
taken or occupied by the forces of the United States during the present
war, within the limits of the Mexican Republic, as about to be established
by tin' following article, shall be definitely restored to the said Republic,
i«i'ji -iln-i- with all the artillery, arms, apparatus of war, munitions, and
other public property, which were in the said castles and forts when
captured and which shall remain there at the time when this treaty shall
be duly ratified by the Government of the Mexican Republic. To this
end. immediately upon the signature of this treaty, orders shall be dis-
patched to the American officers commanding such castles and forts, secur-
linsl the removal or destruction of any such artillery, arms, apparatus
of war, munitions, or other public property. The city of Mexico within
the inner line of intrenchments surrounding the said city, is compre-
hended in the above stipulations, as regards the restoration of artillery,
apparatus of war, &c.
"The final evacuation of the territory of the Mexican Republic, by
.1 the United States, shall be completed in three months from
the iid exchange of ratifications, or sooner if possible: the Mexican
Government hereby engaging, as in the foregoing article, to use all means
POLK ADMINISTRATION. 269
its folds unsullied in the midst of carnage and
slaughter, stamped the Americans as the most mili-
tary nation of modern times. There was no neces-
in its power for facilitating such evacuation, and rendering it convenient
to the troops, and for promoting a good understanding between them and
the inhabitants.
" If, however, the ratification of this treaty by both parties should not
take place in time to allow the embarkation of the troops of the United
States to be completed before the commencement of the sickly season at
the Mexican ports on the Gulf of Mexico, in such case a friendly arrange-
ment shall be entered into between the General-in-chief of the said troops
and the Mexican Government, whereby healthy and otherwise suitable
places, a', a distance from the ports not exceeding thirty leagues, shall be
designated for the residence of such troops as may not yet have embarked,
until the return of the healthy season. And the space of time here re-
ferred to as comprehending the sickly season, shall be understood to ex-
tend from the first day of May to the first day of November.
" All prisoners of war, taken on either side, on land or on sea, shall
be restored as soon as practicable after the exchange of ratifications of
this treaty. It is also agreed, that if any Mexicans should now be held
as captives by any savage tribe within the limits of the United States, as
about to be established by the following article, the Government of the
United States will exact the release of such captives, and cause them to
be restored to their country.
"article v.
" The boundary line between the two Republics shall commence in
the Gulf of Mexico, three leagues from land, opposite the mouth of the
Rio Grande, otherwise called Rio Bravo del Norte, or opposite the mouth
of its deepest branch, if it should have more than one branch emptying
directly into the sea, from thence up the middle of that river, following
the deepest channel, where it has more than one, to the point where it
strikes the southern boundary of New Mexico, thence westwardly along
the whole southern boundary of New Mexico (which runs north of the
town called Paso) to its western termination ; thence northward along the
western line of New Mexico until it intersects the first branch of the
river Gila, (or if it should not intersect any branch of that river, then to
the point on the said line nearest to such branch, and thence in a direct
line to the same,) thence down the middle of the said branch and of the
said river, until it empties into the Rio Colorado ; thence across the Rio
270 HISTORY OF THE
sity for drafting, or of resorting to the services of a
press-gang to fill the ranks of the army ; but at the
hist roll of a Mexican drum within the borders of
Colorado, following the division line between Upper and Lower California
to the Pacific Ocean.
" The southern and western limits of New Mexico, mentioned in this
article, are those laid down in the map entitled, ' Map of the United
Mexican States, as organized and defined by various Acts of the Con-
gress of said Republic, and constructed according to the best authorities.
Revised edition. Published at New-York, in 1847, by J. Disturnell.' Of
which map a copy is added to this treaty, bearing the signatures and seals
of tht' undersigned plenipotentiaries. And, in order to preclude all diffi-
culty in tracing upon the ground the limit separating Upper from Lower
California, it is agreed that the said limit shall consist of a straight line
drawn from the middle of the Rio Gila, where it unites with the Colorado,
to a point on the coast of the Pacific ocean, distance one marine league
due south of the southernmost point of the port San Diego, according to
the plan of said port made in the year 1782, by Don Juan Pantoja, second
Bailing-master of the Spanish fleet, and published at Madrid in the year
1802, in the Atlas to the voyage of the schooners Sutil and Mexicana, of
which plan a copy is hereunto added, signed and sealed by the respective
plenipotentiaries.
" In order to designate the boundary line with due precision, upon
authoritative maps, and to establish upon the ground landmarks which
shall show the limits of both Republics, as described in the present article,
the two Governments shall each appoint a commissioner and a surveyor,
who. before the expiration of one year from the date of the exchange of
ratifications of this treaty, shall meet at the port of San Diego, and pro-
ceed to run and mark the said boundary in its whole course to the mouth
of the Rio Bravo del Norte. They shall keep journals and make out
plans of their operations ; and the result agreed upon by them shall be
deemed a part of this treaty, and shall have the same force as if it were
inserted therein. The two Governments will amicably agree regarding
what may be necessary to these persons, and also as to their respective
. should such be necessary.
" The boundary line, established by this article, shall be religiously
respected by each of the two Republics, and no change shall ever be
made therein, except by the express and free consent of both nations,
lawfully given by the General Government of each, in conformity with
its own constitution.
POLK ADMINISTEATION. 271
the Union, the American people were literally in
arms. The powers of Europe, who had regarded us
merely as a nation of traders, were startled by an
" ARTICLE VI.
" The vessels and citizens of the United States shall, in all times,
have a free and uninterrupted passage by the Gulf of California, and by
the river Colorado below its confluence with the Gila, to and from their
possessions situated north of the boundary line defined in the preceding
article ; it being understood that this passage is to be by navigating the
Gulf of California and the river Colorado, and not by land, without the
express consent of the Mexican Government.
" If, by the examinations which may be made, it should be ascertained
to be practicable and advantageous to construct a road, canal, or railway,
which should in whole or in part run upon the river Gila, or upon its
right or its left bank, within the space of one marine league from either
margin of the river, the Governments of both Republics will form an
agreement regarding its construction, in order that it may serve equally
for the use and advantage of both countries.
" ARTICLE VII.
" The river Gila, and the part of the Rio Bravo del Norte, lying below
the southern boundary of New Mexico, being, agreeably to the fifth
article, divided in the middle between the two Republics, the navigation
of the Gila and of the Bravo below said boundary shall be free and
common to the vessels and citizens of both countries ; and neither shall,
without the consent of the other, construct any work that may impede
or interrupt, in whole or in part, the exercise of this right ; not even for
the purpose of favoring new methods of navigation. Nor shall any tax
or contribution, under any denomination or title, be levied upon vessels,
or persons navigating the same, or upon merchandise or effects trans-
ported thereon, except in the case of landing upon one of their shores.
If, for the purpose of making said rivers navigable, or for maintaining
them in such state, it should be necessary or advantageous to establish
any tax or contribution, this shall not be done without the consent of both
Governments.
" The stipulations contained in the present article shall not impair the
territorial rights of either Republic within its established limits.
"ARTICLE VIII.
" Mexicans now established in territories previously belonging to
Mexico, and which remain for the future within the limits of the United
272 HISTORY OF THE
exhibition of military enthusiasm, unequalled since
the <lay> of the crusades; and they will pause be-
fore they encroach upon the rights of a people who
States, as defined by the present treaty, shall be free to continue where
they now reside, or to remove at any time to the Mexican Republic, re-
taining the property which they possess in the said territories, or disposing
thereof, and removing the proceeds wherever they please, without their