Correspondence of JAMES K. POLK
Enclosed we hand you a slip from Fowleks Evening Herald. Notice the remarks relative to the Departure of Genls Scott & Pillow from Mexico,1 and this from a papr (the Herald) professing Democracy the organ of F P Stanton L H Coe & others. This same paeper promptly coppies everything in its colloms, that he thinks will cast odium upon Genl Pillow. They are not actuated by so much Hostility to Pillow as to yourself. There is a secret under currant here in opposition to you (not so much to you Administration as to you personally) & it has been the case from the announcement of Genl Pillows appointment as Brigr Genl. You can Easily Immagine from what Quarter it eminates. The Enclosed slip is a fair specimen. We only want you to see it & Judge your self.
We, think it unnecessary to say more & will not assign our names. Our whole object is to show you who is you Enemies at the same time professing to be you friends.
AL. DLC–JKP. Addressed to Washington City and marked “Private” on the cover. From Polk’s AE: received June 14, 1848.
- The enclosed article, “Departure of Gen. Scott from the city of Mexico,” from the Memphis Evening Herald, describes that April 21, 1848, event as “an affecting sight,” citing war correspondent James L. Freaner’s letter to the New Orleans Daily Delta, written on that date under the pseudonym “Mustang” and published on May 14. The article then asserts, “The departure of [Gideon J.] Pillow about the same time, is said to have been about as ludicrous, as the departure of the commander-in-chief was affecting.” Paymaster Archibald W. Burns, it adds, “was very conspicuous in this latter demonstration.” DLC–JKP.↩