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Letter from Zachary Taylor to O. P. Baldwin, Esq., or Ro. H. Gallagher, April 20, 1848.

BATON ROUGE, La., April 20, 1848.

DEAR SIR: — Your letter of the 10th instant, which alludes to certain statements that have been made in some of the papers at the North, and which submits several inquiries for my consideration, has been received.

To your inquiries I have respectfully to reply:
First — That if nominated by the Whig Rational Convention, I shall not refuse acceptance, provided I am left free of all pledges, and permitted to maintain the position of independence of all parties in which the people and my own sense of duty have placed me — otherwise I shall refuse the nomination of any convention or party.

Secondly — I do not design to withdraw my name if Mr. Clay be the nominee of the Whig National Convention — and, in this connection, I beg permission to remark, that the statements which have been so positively made in some of the Northern prints, to the effect "that should Mr. Clay be the

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nominee of the Whig National Convention," I had stated, "that I would not suffer my name to be used," are not correct, and have no foundation in any oral or written remark of mine It has not been my intention, at any moment, to change my position — or to withdraw my name from the canvas whoever may be the nominee of the National Convention, either of the Whig or Democratic party.

Thirdly — I have never stated to any one that I was in favor of the Tariff of '46 — of the Sub-Treasury, nor that I originated the war with Mexico. Nor, finally, that I should (if elected) select my cabinet from both parties. No such admission or statements were made by me, at any time, to any person.

Permit me, however, to add, that should such high distinction be conferred upon me as that of elevation to the Executive Office, the Constitution, in a strict and honest interpretation, and in the spirit and mode in which it was acted upon by the earlier Presidents, would be my chief guide. In this, I conceive to be all that is necessary in the way of pledges.

The election of another candidate would occasion no mortification to me, but to such a result, as the will of the people, I should willingly and calmly submit. As I have had no ambition to serve, but in the desire to serve the country, it would bring to me no disappointment.

With sentiments of high respect and regard,
I remain,
Your most obedient servant,
Z. TAYLOR.

O. P. BALDWIN, Esq., or Ro. H. GALLAGHER,
Editors of Richmond Republican, Richmond, Va.