The Davenport Gazette

FROM GEN. TAYLOR.
A story has been fabricated by the opponents of Old Zach, and most industriously circulated by the Locofoco and Abolition sheets throughout the country, that Gen. Taylor is the owner of a large tract of land in the disputed territory between the Nueces and the Rio Grande, and that an agent of his had been recently in Washington City purchasing negroes to stock it! The above slander is entirely put at rest by the following letter from Gen. Taylor addressed to Col. Mitchell, of Cincinnati, who wrote to the old General upon the subject. Read it and believe no allegation put forth by the Locofocos in relation to Gen. Taylor, until the proof be produced, as the advocates of the "hero of the broken sword" are getting desperate:--
Baton Rouge, La.,
July 14, 1848.
My Dear Colonel:--Your kind letter of the 13th ultimo has been duly received.
In reply to your inquiries, I have to inform you that I have no land on the Rio Grande, nor have I sent $10,000 or any other sum to the District of Columbia to purchase slaves: and I trust that if I had such a sum in my possession, I could put it to a better use than buying lands on the Rio Grande or slaves in Washington. Among the many accusations brought against me by my opponents, I should be much gratified to learn that they had succeeded in substantiating the charge that I have in my possession so large a sum for any purpose above mentioned.
I beg that you will not put yourself to any trouble to meet the objections urged against me, by those opposed to me, if they are as groundless as the one in question. For when they see fit thus to disregard the obligations of truth, it is useless to contend with them.
With my best wishes for your health and success, I remain sir,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient Servant,
Z. TAYLOR.
Col. A. M. Mitchell, Cincinnati, O.