Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/498

492 From 1833 revolution after revolution followed in quick succession, each eating into the revenue of the Church: one party trying to grasp at a portion of the Church property, that they might rid their country of its curse; the opposition, aided by the funds of the clergy, waging a war to retain the property intact. During the government of Ferrias and Barrigan, fruitless attempts were made to confiscate the Church property to pay the debt, although eminently superior in financial resources, still found itself to hold the ascendancy in the face of the innovatory influences of 19th century progress, and the advancing civilization which, from the United States, was constantly infringing upon its border.

Friday, February 25, 1848.—This morning everything is as quiet as if their never had been any war in this rodadura tierra templado. Since the above has been noted, I fell in possession of Gen. Scott's letter to the Secretary of War, Hon. William L. Marcy, stating his grievance and treatment received from the heads of our Government, from the time he left for the seat of war until his removal. It being part of the history of the Mexican War, I deem it admissible and proper to note it as such in my journal, as follows:

2em


 * —On the 18th instant I received your two letters of the 13th ultimo, and immediately issued the General Order No. 59 (a copy enclosed), devolving the command of the army in Mexico upon Major-Gen. Butler. 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 country, I avail myself of a moment's leisure to recall some of the neglects, disappointments, injuries and rebukes which have been inflicted upon me by the War Department since my departure from Washington, November 23d, 1846.

To me the business of recrimination, however provoked, has ever been painful. In this summary I shall, therefore, indulge in no wantonness of language, but confine myself to naked