Nov 04, 2010 - Sale 2228

Sale 2228 - Lot 137

Unsold
Estimate: $ 15,000 - $ 25,000
"STEPS HAD BEEN TAKEN BY MARCY, SCOTT & CO. TO BREAK ME DOWN" TAYLOR, ZACHARY. Autograph Letter Signed, "Z Taylor," to John J. Crittenden ("My dear Sir"), accusing [Winfield] Scott, [William L.] Marcy and others of conspiring to undermine his efforts to fight the Mexican forces, speculating that "President-making" is at the bottom of it, describing the importance to the nation of his victory at Buena Vista, reporting that he has no aspirations for any civil office, and expressing his desire for peace. 4 pages, 4to, written on a single folded sheet; short separations at folds, scattered faint foxing. Monterrey, [March 1847]
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". . . I wrote you from here the latter part of January informing you of the steps which had been taken by Marcy, Scott & Co. to break me down by leaving me on & to defend a line of more than 400 miles in extent, besides keeping up several garrisons on it for the protection of provisions &c with a force of about 800 regulars, & 7 or 8000 volunteers; in front of & in striking distance of a well organized army of the enemy of 30,000 men. It was expected by the party referred to that on being stripped of the greater portion of the regular troops, & more than one half of the regulars, that I would at once have returned to the U. States otherwise to have been laid on the shelf; or in the event of the Mexican Army advancing against me in force, I would either [have] been beaten, or compelled to have fallen back to or across the Rio Grande; in either event my reputation as a soldier would have been blighted; but thanks to a kind providence who permitted us to repulse the enemy at Buena Vista, I trust their evil machinations have been put to rest. It is a source of consolation to me to know that had I at once have [sic] left the country on the receipt of genl Scotts outrageous order, which several of my warmest friends present advised me to do, everything we had gained in this quarter would have been lost . . . . [Y]ou must be surprised to learn that for near six months past, not a communication I have adressed to the War Dept has been replied to or its receipt even acknowledged; I am satisfied the Secretary's thoughts have been more occupied since the battle of Monter[r]ey in contriving the ways & means to break me down, than he has to distress the enemy, in which Scott and some of his friends have aided him . . . . Why I was left in that situation is a mystery which the country ought to compell Marcy & Scott to explain. I am satisfied President-making has been at the bottom of the whole affair. . . . Let me assure you my dear Sir I have no aspirations for any civil office, let me but aid in ending this unfortunate war . . . ."