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TH4ML BAOLUVl) 4l G. W. HARDWICK,
PROPRIETORS.
ASSISTED IN THE EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
■V
8. W. FLOURNOY.
PUBLISHED 8VUT TUESDAY,
TERMS—Three Dollars per win am, payable »*«*-
riahltf in advance for new subscription*.
No Paper will he discontinued while any arrearage is
due, unless at the option of the publishers; and four
dollars will, in all eases, be exacted where payment is
not made before the expiration of the subscription year.
ATTENTION!
Hewn. GRKRNWOOD A MORRIS,
M OST reapertftllly Inform all who are indebted to
them, either by note or account, that they have
only until the last return day for the first Court to settle.
All claim., due us will be sued indiscriminately, as we
are tired of dunning for Cash Bills.
We hope no one will think that they will escape being
sued because the only owe fifty emit. They will be
deceived.
March 89 15
Saw and Grist-mills, Steam En
gine!, Ac. Ac.
T HE undersigned inform* his friends and tlie public
that he is now prepared to furnish estimates and
Drawings, and to contract for all descriptions of Saw
mills, (Jnst-mills, Are. Ac. cither by steam or water pow
er, on the latest and most approved principles, and to erect
and put the same in operation on tho most reasonable
terms. Address (post paid) post office, Columbus, Ga. or
to be left at tlie office of this paper.
WM. F. 8ERRELL.
N. B.—Drawing* ami estimates for Bridges, Public
and Private Buildings, Machinery, Ac. furnished.
March 88 15 ly
L. M. DURR,
Is now opening, at his new store,
tgM Mow|M'*kIv. Grime* & Co., East side Broad
■» Street, a GeuerAl Stock of
Staple Dry Goods and Groceries,
•nsi*tiiu of Homespuns. Calicoes. Sheetings anti Shirt*
lugs, Blankets, Huts, Caps and Shoes, Saddles, Bridles,
BAGGING AND ROPE,
Sugar and Coffee, Molasses, Salt, Nails,
Casting*. Soap, Raisins. Candles, Starch. White Lend,
Linseed Oil, Putty, Glass, Mackerel, &c. &c.,alluf
which will be sold low for Cash.
Dec. 88 8 If
&l)c Columbus Cnquircr.
A STRICT CONSTRUCTION OF THE CONSTmiTlON—AN HONEST AND ECONOMICAL ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT.
VOLUME XXI.
COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, TUESDAY MORNING, APRIL 11. 1848.
NUMBER 17.
Che Enquirer.
SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 1848.
O' The English and French system of sendiug
money by mail ought to bo grafted at oucc on Ute post
office In this country. In these countries, any person
cau» it ia stated, deposit cash with a postmaster, and
take a certificate of deposit, which is redeemable at tho
place to which it is forwurded.
Mrs. Gaines Again.—Tlie New York Day Book,
shaking of the departure of this lady for New Orleans,
says:
“ Mrs. Gainet
association of cr
mise* and to re<
three months to
DISSOLUTION.
T HE Copartnership heretofore existing under the
name and style of Winter A Epping, is this day
dissolved by mutual consent.
Those indebted to the lute firm will please call and
settle accounts at the old stand, and those having de
mands will present them u it bout delay.
J. F. WINTER,
II. H. EPPING.
Feb. 20, 1818. 13 if
NOTICE.
T HE subscriber having purchased the stork of
DREGS and MEDICINES uf the above firm,
licit* u continuance of immune*'.
J. F. WINTER.
Feb. 2. 1818. 13 tf
i has entered into nn agreement with an
pitalist* in this rity to make no rompro-
•eive no propositions to compromise for
come. She lias gone to New Orleans
not with a view of settling with the parlies in posses
sion of the property of which she is adjudged to he the
rightful owner, hut to obtain schedules and settle pre
liminaries with those who propose to buy the estate from
her, and attend the business of getting possession on
their own account. Tho same paper adds, with a cer
tain degree of warmth, that “ compromises are quite out
of the question with those who have for fifteen years
met the liberal offers of Mrs. Gaines with insults and in
jury. At the end of three months they may find them
selves in the hands of a set of shrewd, cool, hard, expe
rienced New York capitalists, w ho will 4 lake all that the
law will give thrmwith w hom the plimderersof Daniel
C Murk's estate and the merciless persecutors of his daugh
ter. may, at best, compromise for their scalps by giving
up all the rest of tlicir skins.”
Valuable Statistics.—Tlie New York Courier «f-
Enyuinr has compiled from the recent report of the
Commissioner of Pntcnts the following statistics :
PiMie Lands.—'Hie sales of public lands principally
Illinois, Indinun. Missouri. Alabama. Louisiana. Ar
kansas, Iowa, nud Wisconsin, nmouuted to 2,.526,600
resin 1847.
As n proof of the increase of population in the n<
established territories, the increase of the population
Wisconsin i* given, whirli is ns follows:
1830 3.245 1842 46.648
183(1 11.686 1845 117.000
1H38 18.1 HI 1811* 155.277
1810 30,845 1817 215,000
This of course, is the result of increase of population,
AT COST
?»
T HE subscriber will sell the remainder of his stock
of Cashmeres, Mouselaine de Laine*, Ac. Ac. at
Coat, for f 'H*h ! GEORGE A. NORRIS.
March 7 12 if
SPRING & SUMMER, 1848.
T HE undersigned having just returned from New
York with a large invoice of
Spring and Summer Dry Goods,
wishes to call the attention of the Igulies of Columbus
to the following:
French Liiwiim,
Linen Gingham*,
Gingham Lawn*,
Camlet Lusters,
Brown French Linen,
Grass Cloths,
And a general assortment of CalicoM, Hosiery, Kid
Gloves. Silk Nett Milts, Bonnet Ribbon*. White and
Colored Cruel*., Pattern*, Fringe*, and a general assort
ment of Trimmings and Fancy Articles.
FRANCIS GOLDEN,
One disir above Mr. Strapper’s Candy Sturo.
April 4,1818 16 4t
MARIETTA HOTBL
M T1IIS Establishment has recently dumped own
ers, and fallen into (lie band* of a Company w ho
nn determined to make it emphatically a House
of Entertainment. It is undergoing a thorough re
pair, and will receive a large addition liefore the oiNuiing
of the Summer Season. The old Furniture has all been
removed and will be newly funiishnd throughout In a
word, tltey are resolved to convince tlie low country
K ople. ami nil oilier* who will give them a call, that
Maf'ort, as well as health, ran tie found in Marietta.
I. N. HEGGIE A CO.
P. 8.—A Livery Stable will also be attached to
I the premises, where go*xJ |{or*os, Buggies, Ac. ran at
I all times Ikj hud to go in any direction, and nt a mode-
1 rate prim. I. II. N. A Co.
March 98. 1848 . (Helicon) 15 4m
CITY AFFAIR*.
Council Chamber, March 9, 1818.
Count il m» t pursuant to adjournment. lYeseut his
lonor the Mayor. Aid. Allen, Andrews. Hall. Holslmd,
ohusoii. Joiie*. J. A. L. !*<: and Wn . M. Ira.
After reading the journal of the lust meeting, Aid. J.
. I.. Lee moved that the Tux Ordinance lie amended
r inserting tlie following section: “ A tax of ten (loi
rs ner year as a license on any wagon or cart peddling
wtl or Hour in the streets of tlie city of Columbus;”—
vliich was agreed to.
Aid. Ilolstcad moved to reconsider so much of the
rtion of in-Nt meeting as regard* the order given to tlie
Marshal to almle a nuisance complained of hy It A.
Varr—w hich was agreed to.
By Aid. Hail: The Committee on Finance beg leave
o report tliat they received from the Treasurer eighty-
Ihree and a half dollars of the change hills of tlie city of
K'olumhiis w hich they counted and burned. On motion
|h*- alsive report was received.
By Ald.J. A. L. Ii«e: Resolved, That If. 8. Estes'
license lie transferred to Thomas A. Brannon upon
omjJying with the terms that said license was gran-
Adopted.
hi. B. Roberson petitioned Council for a part of tlie
moos (or the purism* uf drying and burning hriek.
Ibi motion of Aid. Hall, the privilege wns granted hy
ii* paying $15, and entering into bond tliat lie would not
jig any dirt or day upon tlie Commons.
| Henry T. Smith isMilioued Council to take up his
i;morial which was presented to the Council in 1817,
ig remuneration for losses atihe fire in 1846 by his
i being pressed into the service of the city.
. Allen moved that tlie petition he referred t
•inmitiec—which was agreed to.
Whereupon his Honor the Mayor appointed Aid. Al-
| ten, Hal) and Andrews ns tliat committee.
By Aid. Halstead : llenolvetl, That the Committee on
'ity Improxeinents ls> iii<trurted to examine the coitdi-
ion of the wharves^tnd tliat said committee examine tlie
out rad bet ween the City Council and the lessee
harves and report their examination to Council
Ia> u
nn fr
I Hide.
. R8,000
. 70.0M0
.100.000
. 70.000
. 70.000
. 87.000
.140.000
.800.000
.. .800.000
i 1828, i.
1828
1832
1831
1836
1838
1840
1812
1811
1816
Emigration.—Tlie nttmlier nr persons arrived in five
principal |Hirts, from Enrol**, in the year ending Sept.
30, 1817, i* officially stated in the nqsirl of tho Commis
sioner of Patents, to Is- 233.798. nn increase of not less
than 82,131 in a year. Add to this, the emigrants from
other jmrts, and tho emigration was probably not less
than 300.(— ‘
is follows
Years.
1829.. ..
1833.. ..
1835.. ..
1837.. ..
1839.. ..
1811.. ..
1813.. ..
1845.. ..
1817..
t of crops of
Ilhds.
. 48,000
. 75.000
. 30,000
. 65,INK)
.115,000
. 90,000
. 100.000
. 186,000
...210.000
The following table pi
et of the last two y<
1816
York..
Philadelphia .
Baltimore....
New Orleans.
. 98,843
. 11.079
. 7.237
. 9.327
. 22,148
151,611
the eom|>arisoii
11.763
12.018
40,112
233,798
82,13-1
State of Fkkli.no in Paris.—The New York Ex
press has liceti shown a letter from a gentleman in
Paris, which states that among the evidences of puhlic
feeling in favor of n Republic, that the American Flag
(the Stars and Stripes) wns hoisted in tunny qunrlera
of the city. It should Iio remembered, however, that
there are a large number of Americans now in Paris.
Right to Hold Real Estate.—Wi» under
stand that n bill will bo immodiatnly introduced in
our 1/q.riHlaturo to Aiitlinrizo any person to hold
r -al estate in the Elute of New York who inay
pay for tho same. It ia said tliat Inrpe amounts
of French capital and many French citizens will
avail themselves of this liberal law. Wo sec no
objection to tho lu w.—.V. Y. Tribune,
Aid totiie Romas Catholic Churciun Amer
ica.—The Association (in Europe) for the Propa
gation of the Faith, have granted to tho Mission*
in America, this year: $5,000 to the Bi*hop of
Duhiupie; $0,000 to the Bishop of Detroit; $4,000
to Bishop of Cincinnati; $3,000 to Bishop of
IMiiladelphin ; $3,000 to Richmond; $1,000 to
Bishop Hughe*, New York ; $1,000 to Priests of
Mercy, New York; $2,000 to Hartford; $3,000
to Nashville; $3,000 to f/misville; $8,000 to
Bishop of Vincennes, and $3,000 to Congregation
of I loly Cross, same diocese; $0,000to St. Louis;
$2,250 to Milwaukie; $3,500 to Bishop of Little
Itock; $7,500 to Bishop Quarter nt Chicago;
$3,500 to Natchez; $4,750 to New Orleans;
$7,600 to Mobile ; $8,000 to Charleston ; $0,000
to Ltzarist* in United States; $2,150 to Society
of Jesus, Mo. t $9,000 to Society of Jesus in
Rocky Mountains;$700 to Dominicans in do.;
$10,000 to Dr. Odin, Vicar Apostolic, Texas;
$3,000 to Jesuit Missions in America ; $20,000
to West India and South American Missions;
$ 11.000 to Archbishop of Oregon City; $4,000
to Vicar Apostolic. Hudson’* Bay; $203)00 to
British American Missions; $11,500 to Oblat’s
Canada and Hudson’* Bav; $0,000 to Jesuits in
Canada. These grant*, with the donations of the
people, will unhold a very large number of mis
sionaries of tlie Church of Rome on this Conti
nent
1 to a spe
Siffoui ar and Horrible Affair—Killing of
a littlr ffirl by a Lunatic.—We gather from the
Maysvflle Eagle, the particular* of one of the
most singular and horrible murders ever commit-
ted in the We*t—the deliberate butchery of an in-
>r*aid font bva Innuti
Adop
By Aid. J. A. L Lee: Resolved. Tliat lit*? timo for
Turing rontrarta for rromiiig the bridge lie extended to
*• 15th of Mnrrh. Adopted.
Wliereupon Council agreed to permit the following
On tin* 10th inst.. Mrs. Evans, the wife of Mr.
Volny Evan*, ol Ahcrtleen, Ohio, left her house
to visit a neighbor for a few minute*—leaving a
lieautifiil little daughter, about throe year* old, a-
sleep in her cradle, and a boarder in the family,
at tlie following rate*: D. Mini* at $5, ! Strother B. Ktrcd sitting hy the fire reading the
C. Bryan 7 50, John II. Irazer 5, James Holmes 10, iJihlo. She had been gone but a few minutes
liver Lanier 10. K
The following account* were presented to Council:
in favor of J. Morris $27 00, John Hunt 1 50, J. M.
ight-a 2 90—which were onlered to be paid. Also one
£vor of Stanford At Camiliade referred to committee
Pumps and Well*.
|6th inst., at 7
CALVIN STRATTON,Clerk.
when Reed went into tlie yard and procured a
hoard; which he laid on the floor, and stepping
to the cradle, jerked the little innocent with such
violence as to force tho arm from its socket, and
laying her head on the hoard, deliberately chopped
it with a broad are in five different place*. Four
of the gashes were in the top ol tlie head—one n-
bout five inches long, from which the brains oozed
, , .. -> ... out—and tlie fifth across the back of the head a-
wil met pursuant to adjournment Present hi* .
the Mayor, AM. Allen, Andrews, Itsolcn, Clay- I’ 0 '"’ the nerk -
Council Chamber, March 16, 1818.
Council met pursuant to adjournment. Present hii
l>ii. Hall, IloUleal, Johnson and J. A. L Ire.
1 Tlie journal of the last meeting was read and a|>-
[roved of.
The proposals of Alexander M'-I>ougald of $5, and
Fanaticism.—There is now in this city, says
tlie St Louia Organ of the 2d, a man about 50
ttssWifi'sa; JTiSSftSM I r rH , a , ,r k, ' r ';- v ,n v! e - «!•, w
ar were presented and accepted. , about two months ago, from Council Bluffs.
By Aid. Barden: Whereas, there has been an annual j His name is B**er. He left a wife and seven cliil-
propriaiion made by Council for tl»e purpose of keep- ; dren there, in the hands of the Mormons, under the
llie | -» — l - - L —* * 1 —* -
hid. (1
, That
■ell*
wells , ^
th. " Acconlin jtii one of the luws of Ute - Celestial
to notify said contractors tliat said pumps awl Kingdom, it is bold that whenever a man is not
he put in good order, and that mill marshal orde;e ! strong enough in the faith to save his wife, she
arvhal be required to keep an account of the time mU8 t ( K . taken from him and given to another, hy
l»wcr of the priMhond. Mr. lh->
ml: «•» i»- r of \ he « -■
r Adopted 1 b«i\ mg been found wanting in this respect, his wife
[bV AM. llulstead: RewdveJ, Tliat his Honor Ute { and children were taken from him bva decree of
o^c 1 ?, * apeckl meeting of Council wi Tue«Jay | Brigham Young, the great prophet. The old man,
" ” * ‘ t ‘‘" | Mr. Beer, has since learned that Pratt, one of the
i Twelve, in exchange for hi* wife so snrrondered
light next for the purpose of receiving from the City At-
hrney the ordinances of said city as compiled by him.
Ldoptcd.
By Aid. Hall: Whereas Mr. Martin, the bridee-keep- | to Nidwell, received Mr*. B-cr’*daughter, a young
M “ rfcit bill: | woman about 20 years old.
[r, lias innocently received a ten dollar countei
~ refore be it resolved that Mr. Martin ho released
i all responsibility on account of the taking of said
_ . Adopted.
. By Aid. Ilall: TV committee to whim was reforred
r petition of Mr John Warren beg leave to report:
l lor reference to the—seesore' book they find tliat
ty at Hr. Warren is not, in the opinion of the
, rained higher than that adjoining, and that
tire cannot recommend that the assessment he
On motion the above report woe received and
I to Council in fcvor of Jn».
|$10 8, which wn* ordered to be paid,
i Uwn^assumed till Thursday nett, March
° * CALVIN STRATTON, Clerk.
An Eloquent Figure.—Tho Mecklenburg
Jeffersonian, speaking of tlie Union of the States,
uses the following eloquent figure;
**Likeotie of thorns wondrous rocking atones rear
ed bv the old Druids, which the figure of a child
might cause to vibrate to it* centre, yot the might
of an army could not move from ita place, our
Constitution i* so nicely poised and balanced that
It MMon to awav with every breath of opinion, yet
so firmly rooted in the heart and affection of the
j people, that the wildest a.urma of treason and
taneticism breakover it iu vain.*'
Proceeding* of the Coart of Inquiry*
Second Day—March 16, 1848.
The court met at 10 o’clock, and after the usual
preliminaries having been gone through—
Gen. Scott rose and said, that he was present
for the purpose of hearing any thing that could be
•aid against him regarding the appeal, which, if
he understood correctly, had bcon placed upon the
records of the court. The General then produced
a paper, which, ho said, with the consent of tho
court, he intended to read, relating to tho arrest of
Lt. Col. Duncan. He remarked that he did not
consider it a bar in any proceeding regarding any
and all charge* brought against him. He stood,
then, ready to meet any accusation—physically
strong, as well as morally strong, he felt conscious.
The President of the court hero interposed, aud
Gen. Scott sat down. A letter was then read as
follows, by the Judge Advocate:
Headquarters, 1st Division, )
Tacubaya, Mexico, March 14th, 1848. \
To Gen. .V. Towson, President of the Court of
Inquiry—Sir: In the matter of my appeal from
Major Gen. Scott, commander-in-chief of tho ar
my, the President has done mo full and ample
justice. In view of the interest nnd harmony of
the service, I tlesire to withdraw the accusations
which I made in tlint appeal against Muj. General
Scott. 1 have the honor to lie, very respectfully,
your obt. sorvt.
(Signed) W. J. WORTH, Bvt. Maj. Gen.
The court was then closed and remained shut
for some time. On the doors being again ope tied,
it was announced hy the Judge Advocate (so we
understood) that proceedings lor the present in this
case, would bo stayed until next day; also, that
all motions and jxjiuts should be submitted in
writing.
The latter decision was objected to by Gen. Scott
on the ground of the time nnd inconvenience he
would he subject to, if obliged to commit to wri
ting every question that would arise in the differ
ent turns the proceedings might take.
Il was here intimated hy the court, tlmt if there
were no objections, the proceeding* in the case of
Gen. Scott would lie stayed for tlie nresent; and
proposed to proceed with tho case of Maj. General
Pillow.
Gen. Scott said that he would require a short
time of the court to reduce to writing the few re
marks made by him before leaving the court. He
desired those remarks to he pluced upon the re
cords, with a few more remarks he was nliout to
utter when he was stopped by the court. It would
save the necessity of other proceedings, which he
did not desire, lie would nsk of the court not to
take tip the case of Maj. Gen. Pillow until it Imd
disnosed of that of Lt. Col. Duncan. He said lie
Intel prepared what he had to Ray in that case in
writing, kne wing how difficult it was for the most
intelligent re|K)rtcr (and he understood there were
several present) to catch every point submitted.
The court made some remarks to which Gen’I.
Hcott replied that his object was, in pressing the
case,to save time to the court.
An objection wns here raised hy Lt. Col. Dun
can, who was understood to say tlmt the court was
now organized to inquire into the case of Major
Gen. Scott, alone, and could not take up his (Col.
Duncan’s) case without lieing specially qualified
for that purpose.
The court was understood to assent.
A proposition was made hy Gen. Scott to rend
tho paper relating to the charges preferred against
Lt. Col. Duncan, hut tho court decided against the
proposition.
Gen. Pillow rose and said—Ho insisted tlmt his
case should lie proceeded In. Ho wns prepared
for it, nnd desired that he might have nt once an
opportunity of vindicating himself. He wns the
more anxious because of the now strong proba
bilities of pence. He came into the service under
a law that would, in case of nonce, require him to
f ;o promptly out of it, and if Itis case was put off
t might extend beyond tho period that ho would he
retained in the service. He Imped that the court
would not proceed first with the case of Lt. Col.
Duncan.
Tho court suggested tlmt the case of General
Scott should first lie settled, hut after some further
discussion, it wn* determined it should In* laid
aside until next day, in order to allow Gen. Hcott
to place upon tho record tho pajier above referred
to. The court also determined to proceed imme
diately with the case of Lt. Col. Duncan, General
Pillow being assured that if Lt. Col. Duncan's
case was likely to consume much timo, it would
he laid aside and his case taken up.
Gen. Hcott then read the following pa per:
Mr. President nud Gentlemen of the Court:—
I desire, tinder permission, to make the following
hUitcincnt in presence nnd hearing of Bvt. Lt. Col.
Duncan, which inay save the timo of this court,
as well as that of the parties liefore it.
I have laid two charges, with a specification un
der each, ngainst the Lt. Colonel. The first al
leges a breach on his part, of an old general reg
ulation of the army, re-nuhlished and re-establish
ed by the President of tlie United Ntales, Jan. 28.
1817, against the publication in newspapers, &c.,
of unauthorized letter* or reports, from an army
in the field, ponding the campaign to which they
relate, and which regulation the President directs
all in military authority strictly to enforce.
As a principal conservator, at the time, of the
peace, harmony and discipline of the army, I
thought it my duty to arrest Bvt. Lt. Col. Duncan
for a publication of that character, and laid the
specific charge in miration—'which I duly sub
mitted to the President of the United States, in
order that he might appoint (as no other could) a
general court martial for his trial. Tho President
having thought proper on an admitted, certain and
specific fart, to order an inuuiry into, and not a
trial of the matter, it is clearly not for tno to up
hold his regulation against Ids evident indiffer
ence on the subject. I therefore withdraw that
charge and its specification, and utterly decline,
without further orders from the President, to pros
ecute it before this or any other tribunal.
The second charge and specification, which I
thought it my duty, but most reluctantly, to prefer
against the same gallant officer, relates to matters
of fact, therein set forth, quoted from the samo
letter, ro-puldi*hed here under his own signature.
Hoping and believing that the statement* made
in that re-published letter, however injurious to the
truth of history, and to the same extent to myself,
were made from the want of correct information,
and from no intention to misrepresent facts, I cour
teously sent a staff officer to invite Lt. Col. Dun
can to visit me before I Imd penned that second
charge and Its specifications, intending to point
out to him the errors of fact in his letter—to refer
to the evidence, written and oral, to confuto those
errors; and I pledged myself through the same
messenger, that if the personal interview should
not result in benefit to the Lt. Col., it should not
by possibility, if I could prevent it, work any inju
ry to him nefore any court. My request was
courteously declined.
I desire now to give to Lt. Col. Duncan another
opportunity of saying whether ho was not ignor
ant at the timo of writing the letter in question of
the facts. 1st, That long liefore leaving Puebla
for this basin, in August hist, it had been my bias
and expectation that the American army would
bo obliged to approich the Mexican capital to tho
left, or south about of the lake* Chaleo nnd Xo-
chimilco; 2d, That after general headquarters had
reached Ayolla, August 11th, I had showed an
oqtml solicitude to get additional information of
that routo and Uio*c of the Panon and Mexical-
cingo; 3d, That besides sending Irom Ayotla,
August 12th, oral instructions to Bvt. Maj. Uen’I.
Worth, to push further inquiries from Chaleo, as
to the character of the southernmost route, (around
the two lakes)—that I sent, August 13th, to that
general, written instructions to the same effect,
from the same place, my quarters at Ayotla; 4th,
That duriqf my stay there, from the 11th to the
15th of August, I sent a Mexican of intelligence
from Ayotla, independent of Bvt. M'jj.Gcit. Worth,
in that route, either in tho way of artificial defen
ces or from overflowing of the lakes; and, 6th,
That in the evening of tne 13th of the same month,
I caused Capt. Mason, of the engineers, to be in
structed to proceed the next morning to tho head
quarters of Bvt. Ma j. Gen. Worth, at Chaleo, in
order to his being employed in reconnoitering the
samo southern route, in which service the captain
found himself anticipated by tho reconnoitering
party under Lt. Col. Duncan, who had already,
several hours boforc, advanced by orders of the
said general, acting under my repeated instruc
tions, on tliat service.
I am aware, Mr. President, that I have no right
to call upon Lt. Col. Duncan before this court to
give either a general or specific answer to those
points, lie i* therefore entirely nt liberty to take
no notice of them, and certainly hi* silence ought
not, and cannot in law, operate to his prejudice
hero or elsewhere; but if ho answers the inter
pellation in the affirmative, saying that he was
ignorant of the material facts asserted above, I
stand ready to withdraw and abandon, upon hi*
word, the second charge, and its specification,
which I have preferred against him. Respectful
ly submitted, WINFIELD SCOTT.
Lieut, ('ol. Duncan then wrote and submitted
the following iu reply:
“ In writing tho letter to which Maj. Gen. Scott
refer* in his paper, just presented to the court, viz:
the “Tampico letter,” I believed tho fact* therein
set forth lobesubstantially true—/ still believe so.
I hud no desire to detract, directly or indirectly,
from tho merit of any officer, and no one can re
gret more than myself if I have done so.”
Gen. Hcott here reiterated that he had no right
to interrogate Lt. Col. D., and that hi* (Lt. Col.
D.*h) silence could not Iw considered as prejudi
cing him. The answer given did not meet tho
inquiry he had made. T’lte question was, Was
Lieut. Col. D. ignorant of tho facts, &c. ? On
hi* answer to that question would turn tlie course
ho (Gen. H.) should pursue.
Lt. Col. Duncan then made an addition to hi*
former answer, and presented the whole in the
word* following a* his reply:
“In writing tho letter to which Mai. Gen. Hcott
refers iu his paper, just presented to the court, viz:
the ‘ Tampico letter,’ I believed the fact* therein
set forth to hr* substantially true—/ still believe, so.
I had no desire to detract, directly or indirectly,
from the merit of nny officer, 'and no one can re
gret more than myself if I have done so. 1 litivo
no evidence that tho statement* presented iu the
paper of Major Gen. Hcott arc facts. If they uro
so, I certainly was ignorant of them whon I wroto
the ‘Tampico lotter,’ and learn them now for the
first time. Respect fully submitted,
jameh Duncan, Bvt. Lt. c«i.
Mexico, Murcli 10,1818.”
Lieut. Col. Duncan’s reply having bcon rend,
Gen. Hcott remarked that he should content him
self with saying, that the facts contained in tho
statement submitted by him could he established
without going through the form of trial. He could
make a simple statement that would suffice.—
There was ample evidence at hand, written and
oral, that the facts set forth in his paper, just sul>-
mitted, were true—with that statement lie would
sny that ho was satisfied with the answer of Lt.
C«l. Dunciin, and withdrew both charges mudo
against him, and would not prosecute them unless
ordered to do so hy the court, lie withdrew tho
charges and abandoned the prosecution entirely.
The court then declared that the caso was set
aside for tho present.
all around to the village of Xoehilmilco, to report
to me whether any recent change had taken place I had no right whatevr r to address it.
THE CASE OF MAJ. GEN. PILLOW.
After the members had been qualified in this
case, Gen. Hcott rose and read a paper setting
forth at length the nature of the charges brought
against Gen. Pillow, cnmplainingof the “release
liefore trial” of an officer arrested by him, and
finally giving his reasons for withdrawing, a* he
therein did, In* chargo* against Gon. Pillow.
Gen. Pillow took exceptions to the spirit of tho
paper, protested against the withdrawal of tho
charges, and signified his intention to reply to the
paper submitted hy Gon. Hcott on to-morrow; to
which tlie court assented.
(Jen. Worth then rose, and informed tho court
that he should ask to place upon the record a pajier
relative to the one just read. He could prepare it
in an hour, or hy to-morrow morning.
Gen. Hcott here raised a question of order as to
the right of Gon. Worth to address tho court. Tho
question bocamo the subject of some exciting con
versation bet ween the President of the court and
Gen. Worth, and was not disposed of.
Gen. Hcott called for the reading of two lettors
accompanying his paper, regarding (ion. Pillow.
After some conversation, the letters were read and
the court adjourned to 10 o'clock, A. M., to-day.
THIRD day’s PROCEEDINGS.
Tho court met at 10 o’clock, hut owing to tho
absence of Gen. Hcott business did not commence
until 11 o’clock. Gon. H. a|tologizcd to tho court
for not attending nt the usual hour, hut lie was un
der the impression tlint the court would not sit on
that day iu consequence of a re|iort that he had
heard that the dav was appointed to celebrate the
funeral honor* of tho Into ex-President John Q.
Adams.
The court having settled preliminary arrange
ments relative to the subject before if, sat with
closed doors for some time.
On tho doors lining again opened, Gon. Hcott
submitted to the court the following document:
“ In reference to the construction put by tho
court on the orders of the President of the United
.States, under which it is assembled—that only tho
conduct of Major Gen. Hcott, Major Gon. Pillow
and Brevet Lieut. Col. Duncan, as set forth in tho
written accusations against (hem, respectively, i*
to be inquired into, and not that of Brevet Major
Gen. Worth, against whom there was also a writ
ten chargo laid before tho Presidontof the United
.States. And, in reference, also, to tho letter of
Brevet Major Gen. Worth to tho court, withdraw
ing hi* appeal or accusation against the said Hcott,
hut leaving its venoin, mainly on tho ground that
the President done him, tho said Worth, ‘ full nnd
ample justice.* ”
[Tit** said Hcott several times essayed to address
the court, but was as often stopped and requested
to reduce his remarks to writing: with that decis
ion or request of the court he now succinctly com
plies as follows:]
“ Mr. President and Gentlemen of tlie Court:—
Here, in the capital of Mexico, conquered hy tho
American arm* under my command, I find myself
but a prisoner at large—a chief criminal before
this court. Deeply wounded, my military pride i*
cast down into trio dust—not by the public ene
my, hilt hy the long arm of power from home.
All that could lie done in that quarter to injure, to
degrade and humble me, hero and elsewhere, has
been accomplished. But, sustained hy tho Al
mighty arrn—feeling myself strong in conscious
rectitude, strong in mind and body, strong in all
the means of self-defence—I hid defiance to my
accuser*. I shall not plead the letter withdraw
ing the appeal against mo in bar of trial. Nay,
I challenge tin: writer of that letter to como for
ward and do his worst. But, no doubt he thinks—
and with reason—that he has dtme his worst. IJore,
iu viow of the enemy, he has caused me to bo
struck down from the nigh and honorable command
of a most gallant aud triumphant army, lie has
caused me, first, to lie prejudged and punished at
home, and then to be brought forward to be tried
again, while he, my junior, has been pre-acquitted
and rewarded. The President has, we are exult-
ingly told, done him 4 full and ample justice.* Yes,
sir, in double measure; justice to hi* pride, and
justico to his vengeance. Let him, Mr. President,
S i forth rejoicing, in the plenitude of Executive
vor. Without envying him his honors, I shall
at the end of this court have done with him forev
er. Again, Mr. President, I repeat, my attitude
Is that of defiance”
Gen. Worth rose and begged permission to make
a few remarks, but was interrupted by Gen. Scott,
who stated that as ho waa not before the court he
The president remarked that such irregulari
ties could not be permitted, upon which Gen. Scott
desired the president not to address his remarks to
him—at the same timo looking toward* General
Worth, as if they should have been intended for
him, (Gen. W.)
Tho following letters were then read by Gen’I.
Scott:
City of Mexico, Nov. 18, 1847.
»Sir—Understanding that the general-in-chief
has it in contemplation, at nn early day, to order
portions of the army to distant posts in tho interi
or, and supposing that the re-organization of tho
“ regulars” has been ordered with that view, it
becomes my duty, ns iny witnesses in the charges
preferred against mo by tho general-in-chief are
mostly embraced in the newly organized brigades,
to inquire if it is probable any column will march
before the arrival of tho expected order of tho Gov
ernment in regard to my trial. If so, I desire to
be informed wnat action the general will take in
regard to the witnesses. Having in view tho in
terest* of tho service and my own right to a spec-
dy and impartial trial, ncitlior of which can bo
had if my witnesses are ordered to distant parts
of the country. Very respectfully,
[Signed] GID. J. PILLOW,
Major General U. S. A.
To Capt. II. L. Scott, A. A. A. G.
Headquarters ok the Army, l
Mexico, Nov. 30,1817. J
Sir—I am instructed by tho gencral-in-cliiof to
enclose to you, herewith, certain charges and
specifications which he has doomed it his duty to
prefer against you. An imperfect copy of tho
samo has been despatched to the Secretary of
War, with a request that, under the act of May
21), 1830, section 1, a general court-martial may
ho ordered for your trial on those charges ami spec
ification*.
I tun also instructed hy tho general-iu-chicf to
refer you to tho 74th article of war, and in hi*
name, as your commanding officer and prosecutor,
to propose, with your consent, and in your pres
ence, or that of your counsel, agent or represen
tative, to proceed to take hero, in some room of the
National Palace, on Thursday, tho 2d December,
1817, beginning at 10 o’clock*, A. M., before Capt.
C. H. Ridgelv, now special Judge Advocate of a
court martial in existence—and continuing from
day today till completion—tho depositions of two
gentlemen “ not in the line or staff’of tho army,”
who tiro about to return to the United States; the
said depositions to Ik? road iu evidence, tit your
(rial,on tho said charges and specifications; and
nt the samo time and place, or in succession, be
ginning us above, to take iu like maimer ami fur
the like purpose, the depositions of a general offi
cer who is also about to return to the United States,
and who, probably, will liavo resigned his com
mission in the army hy the time of the meeting
ol the general court martial asked for, as above,
for vour triuI.
I’he general-in-chief bids me to say, further,
that the sole motive of tho above proposition, in
respect to de|iositions, is tosavo time. Persons
“ not in tho lino or staff*of the army” cannot he
legally compelled toattend general court martial.
Hence the law, “incases not capital,” allows
their depositions to ho taken and rend in cvidonco
before such courts; but the compulsory cour*o, as
between tho parties, is, when the particular court-
martial meets, for the party desiring the testimony
of such witness to move the court for a commis
sion to take their depositions.
It is, therefore, to savo the army nml tho accus
ed the inconvenience of a delay of two or more
months, after the meeting of the court asked for
as above, in sending a commission homo to tako
the depositions of the three witnesses alluded to,
that the general-in-ehief has directed mo to nddress
to you this communication. Consent of parties,
in matters of evidence, cures all defects in matters
of form.
On tho other hand, tho general-in-chief, the
prosecutor in your case, will bo willing, if you
shall desire it, to consent that the depositions of
any witnesses you may designate, who are iiIkiiiI
to leave this country, may Ik? taken, in your behalf,
as above, and he read in evidence at the same
trial.
I am instructed to request an early reply to this
communication, and have the honor to remain,
Hir, very respectfully, your ob’t serv’t,
(Higticd) GEO. W. LAY,
Lieutenant and Military Secretary.
To Maj. Gen. Pillow, U. H. A.
City ok Mexico, Dec. 18th, 1817.
Sir—I acknowledge the reception of the copy
of tlie charges preferred against me hy the gnner-
al-iu-chief, together with his proposition hy agree
ment to take, ut this time, the testimony of certain
witnesses, (whoso names tire not mentioned,) to
ho read as evidence on the trial of tho cause.
I certainly have every reason for desiring an
early investigation in the caso,but as no court is
yet ordered, and it is wholly uncertain whether
the court will be ordered to convene, in this country
ortho United States, 1 regard it wholly premature
now to commence taking proofs, nml I therefore
decline acceding to the general’spronosnl. I have
other reasons for the adoption of this course,
which, as they might not lie deemed altogether
respertful to the general, I do not now think proper
hero to assign. Very respectfully,
(Signed) (ill). J. PILLOW, Mnj.Gen.U.S. A.
To Lieut. Geo. W. Lay, Military Secretary.
Hkadquartkrh ok tiik Army, {
Mexico, Dec. 20, 1847. {
Sir—I have laid your note,dated Nov. 18,1817,
instead (hy mistake) the 18th instant, liefore the
general-iu-cliiof, who instructs tnc to reply as fol
lows:
Ho is well aware that the good of tho service
and the convenience of parties require that there
should Ik? no unavoidablo delay, oitlier iu the com-
npencement or completion of your trial. Hence,
hy tho first op|Nirtunity, he asked tho President, as
the la w obliged him as tho prosecutor to do in the
case, tliat a goneral court martial might lie ordered,
ami without presuming to name the place of meet
ing, took it for granted it would lie near the great
IkxIv of officers who would he needed as metnliers
o! the court ami witnesses. Hence, also, he, tho
generul-in-chief, in the letter lie causod to ho ad
dressed to you on the 30th ultimo, proposed to you
to take, hy consent, the dejiositionH of certain wit
nesses then here, hut about to return to the United
States, in order to save some two months in send
ing home, after the meeting of tho court, a com
mission to take the depositions of the samo wit
nesses. This proposition you declined, andHoom-
ed in the answer, dated the 1st instant, to enter
tain the hope or expectation tliat the court for your
trial would Ik? ordered to meet somewhere in tho
United Htates,which might, hy takingaway agreat
number of officers, ns members and witnesses,
from tho army, stop all military operations hir a
time, against tho public enemy. Whether you
possess the influence so to emliarraHs tho public
service is host known to yourself.
In conclusion,! am instructed to say, tlmt,should
a court Ik* ordered for your trial iu this country,
officers who may bo on detached service in the
sanre, may lie brought to the place of trial in a
third of tho time tlmt will ho needed to send homo
a commission for taking tho depositions of the
witnesses before alluded to.
Very respectfully, &c., &c,
(Higned) 11. L. HCOTT, A. A. A. G.
Maj. Gen. Pillow, &c. &c.
fill
...umwru Staten, hMDOtto*, The
ronld be mote prompth decided by tide rdf
and thie, too, wfth the leaat datrfanaat to
generals is pre-acqnitted and rewarded, and tlie
other parties—tho judge and his prisoners, the ac
cuser and the accused, the innocent and the guilty,
are, with that strange exception, all thrown alike
before you to scramblo for justico as we may.
In tho caso of Major Gen. Pillow I had preferred
two charges—the first, with one specification, re
specting a prohibited publication in the newspa-
E ors of the United States; and tlie second, em-
racinga great number of specifications.
Mr. President—considering tliat I asked fora
general court martial to try, and definitely to de
termine, cases specifically defined and set out and
that this preliminary court has no power beyond
the mere collecting of facts and giving an inope
rative opinion thereon.
Considering that if wo now proceed, tho whole
labor must bo gone over ugain, at least by the par
ties and witnesses.
Considering that many of the witnesses on the
sido of tho prosecution, and probably, nn that of
tho defence also, have gone to tho United States in
tho lone interval that lias been allowed to elapse
Binco Nov. 28—109 days, of which fifty at least,
arc ehargcabto to delays at Washington and not
one to mysolf.
Considering that I, in timo and in form, proposed
to take, hy mutual consent, the depositions of de
parting witnesses, on both sides, to be read in evi
dence at the trial, under the 74lh article of war,
which proposition Maj. Gon. Pillow thought prop
er to decline—see tho correspondence, herewith,
on the subject.
Considering lhatthis court would be obliged to
adjourn to the United .States, in order to havo the
least hope of obtaining tho testimony of sovcral of
llioso important witnesses, now retired to civil life,
and therefore, not compollnhle to attend a military
court, even at homo, or to certify before a commis
sion duly appointed by such court.
Considering that tlie season is near at hand
when tho court and tho parties will not bo able to
leave this country for homo without great por'd to
life.
Considering that there is a near prospect of a
pence lictwccii the United States and Mexico,
which may be consummated in time to onabie this
wlinlo army to return home in safety.
Considering that immediately, on such consum
mation, Muj. Gon. Pillow would, by the express
terms of the law under which lie holds his com
mission, bo out of tho army, and therefore, no
longer amenable for his acts to any military tri
bunal.
Considering tliat, in preferring tho charges
ngainst tlmt ollicnr, I was moved solely hy tho
dosire to preserve tho discipline and honor of tlio
army—not having ever had tho slightest personal
quarrel or diiliculty with him, sad that tho time
hns probably gone by for bonofitting the sorvico by
u conviction nud punishment.
lu viow of all theso considerations, I shall, Mr.
President, decline prosecuting the charges and
specifications against Maj. Gen. Pillow, before
this preliminary court, without its special orders,
or tho further instructions of tho President of the
United States. Respectfully submitted,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
Mexico, March 10, 1818.
The President said that Gon. Pillow was at
liberty to address tho court.
Gon. Pillow wished to know if tho document
withdrawing tho charges against hint by General
Scott was placed on the record.
Gen. Hcott said that document was now iu tho
hands of tho court and out of his control.
Tlie court having read the nhovc mentioned
document, Gon. Pillow road tho following state
ment :
Mr. Premlent awl Omllcmm nf Out Court. In
reply to the paper submitted by tho prosecutor in
this ease, in winch he, for reasons therein stated,
declines to prosocutc the charges proforrod against
me, I heg leave respectfully to say tliat I seo in
the reasons assigned, none to justify this determi
nation.
First, it is said hy Gon. Scott that “ he is strick
en down from high command—that ono of tho ar
rested generals is pre-acquittod and rewarded, and
the other parties—the judge nnd his prisoners—
the accuser nml tho accused—tho Innocent and
tlie fruillif—are, with that strange exception, all
thrown before you to scramble for justico us we
may.”
How tho release of Gon. Worth, by Govern
ment, should ho thought to constitute nny reason
for abandoning the prosecution against mysolf, I
am at a loss to understand.
I wns aware from my condemnation before trial,
in Goneral Orders No. 319, tliat tho prosecutor
acted ns a judge, and condemned, imlioard, the
victims of Ids disideasuro—but I tlid not oxpoct
ho would avow liefore tho court that ho considered
himself still my judge. I thought this court were
tho judges of the caso nnd that he wns tho prose
cutor—and can not understand how the fact that
thu Government lias onlered tho charges preferred
against him by Gon. Worth to he investigated,can
afford any reason why ho Hliould not prosecute his
charges ngainst me,If I am guilty.
It is true that Maj. Gen. Scull has been suspend
ed from command, hut I presume that circumstance
does not deprive him of his proof. I, too, was
stricken down hy the arm of power wielded hy
himself—arrested und held a prisonor, confined to
the limits of this city nearly tlireo months—and
nm not now restored to command. If a command
lie necessary to enalilo him to prosecute tho case,
it must be equally necessary to enable mo to de
fend myself. Agreeably, however, to well estab
lished military usage, wliilo under the chargo of
Gen. Worth, ho was properly suspended from
command, nnd iu this respect wo stand ii|>oii equal
footing.
Tho assertion “ that tho whole labor of the caso
must lie gone over again,” is mado under tho as
sumption that he cun mnintain his charges and
prove that they arc trite. But in this I oxpcct to
show that lie is mistaken. This assertion, based
in error, can therefore, afford no reason for aban
doning the prosecution.
If any witnesses havo gone to tho U. States,
they went either hy his orders, or hy his permis
sion, and without my having tho |iower to detain
thorn. Tho two witnesses (not in tlio lino or staff
of tho army) whoso depositions were proposed (o
lie tnken, are still within roach—both are iu this
city. Gen. Pierce, tlie goneral officer who I siiji-
|sise is alluded to in tho letter, is a material wit
ness for myself. The very fact that ho was known
to the prosecutor to bo a material witnesses consti
tuted a reason why he should not have permitted
him to leave the country.
Tlio goneriil-in-cliiof know tliat tho effect of
oidering my witnossesout of, or allowing them to
leave the country, would bo todoprivoinc of their
testimony altogether, or greatly to delay tho pro
ceedings iu tho caso.
No rule of law is better established in all courts
than that a party who voluntarily puts witnesses
out of the way, or consents to thoir going, is not
entitled to onu moment’s consideration or delay on
that account. Tho othor party who is thus de
prived of proof necessary for his defence, lias a
right to complain and to ask for indulgence; but.
in this case, I am the party injured by tlio prose
cutor, who controlled tlie witnesses, permitting
them to leave tho country pending his application
fora court martial for my trial.
Tho prosecutor hail no right to ask mo to take
proof before any court was onlered for the investi
gation of his cliarges. The thing in itself is un
heard of cither in civil or military courts. In de
clining what lie hail no right to ask, I deprive him
of no right, no privilege, no proof; and he cannot,
in that, find any excuse for failing to prosecute hla
cliarges, if in fact, I am not known by him to be
innocent of tlie cliarges preferred.
The groat delay or one hundred and nine days
has boon oxcossively oppressive upon myself.—
Tlie public prints allow tliat the application for the
court martial reached tho city of Washington
j about tho 26th of December, 1847. The older tor
Mr. 1‘rciiilent and O.iUltnutn of the Court—
Having, in tho maintenance of what I deemed a
necessary discipline, drawn up charges and speci
fications against throe officers, then under my
command, I transmitted the papers, Nov. 28, 1817,
to the Secretary of War, with a request, in each
case, that the President uf tlio United States, un
der the act of Congress, May 29, 1830, would ap
point a general court martial for Iho trial of tho
same.
This court of inquiry is tho result; I am stricken
down from my high command; ono of the arrestod I this court was issued on the IStli of January,
1848, and a
the same month, maktaw T
fifty, days delay from WuHiUtOd.
however, baa not affected pnmcMor,]
see any reason for now ahuidnuIUf what be
regarded ash duty.
The assumed objection to Ae 8f|NtimMMef-
tho court totheUnited States, hw
case would
course, _ ____
•ho public service. - Gen. Been pay* a poor com
pliment to the honor and integrity of hie dwn wit
nesses, when he inutoeithit they will decline to
appear before the emit, to testify to Acts deeply
affecting the purity of tbe service.
The sickly set .on, so justly dreaded, will net
set in till after the business of the court in tUa
may be concluded.
The consideration that a speedy penes may
move the army at once from tbia country Juts notb-
ing to do with the issues t it la ImpoMble that
peace can be concluded before the proceedings of 1
the court.
The fact that my commission expiree with the
war, is an additional reason for pweeouHng th#
chargee, inasmuch as, if guilty, tire interest cf tho
service requires that I should be punished, and, Y*
innocent, that I should have the benefit of an ai
quittal.
Tho consideration that the time haa gone by for
bonefitting the service by a conviction and punish
ment, has no force—“it is never too lete to do
good.” The Gcneral-in-chief has been pleased
to say tlmt “he has been moved solely by the de
sire to preserve the discipline and honor of the
army—not ever having had the slightest personal
quarrel or difficulty with him.”
I refrain from making any comment on this pas
sage of his paper—in the full confidence, that
during the progress of this investigation, the fact
will be made manifest whether personal or public
considerations have most infiUenecd the Gatenl-
in-chicf in this prosecution.
Some of the charges preferred against me hy
Gen. Scott are of the gravest character, affecting,
if true, my own honor, and if false, his; Hit rea
sons for abandoning the prosecution have no force,
singly or collectively. Ho objects that a court of
inquiry has been substituted for a court martial.
From the character of tho parties concerned, an
wcil as the nature of the offences charged, thu
surest punishment will be found in the judgment
of a just and enlightened public. That judgment
will be founded on facts—and, to ascertain those
facts, a court of inquiry is as competent as a court
martial.
The prosecutor further says he will not prose
cute this case, unless this court, or the President
of the United Slates, shall order him to do so.
What right has he to expect either will make
such order ? Did cither of them order him to ar
rest me and prefer these charges 1 He (the pros
ecutor) professes to believe I am gnilty. If so, it
is his duty to tlie army, to tho country,and to him
self, to goon with the prosecution. Asyet,alltbo
presumptions of law nre, that I am innocent.—
What right, then, has ho to require the court or
the president to make an order that he shall prose
cute charges which ho voluntarily preferred; and
which lie now has nn opportunity of establishing,
if, indeed, ho enn prove tlicm at all.
lienee it will bo seen, that if there was any
reason fur arresting me and preferring the charges
originally, these reasons still exist, and if tlie Gen-
cral-in-cniof was actuated, as lie says, by the sole
desire to preservo discipline in the army, the same
principle of duty would still make it proper for
liim to prosecute his chargos, and prove me, if he
can, guilty.
The conclusion that a conviction and punish
ment would bo of no avail, is an assumption of the
fact, that ho can procure my conviction; and,
without producing the proof of my guilt, he en
deavors to leave upon the mind of the court tho
impression that his failure to prosecute the charges
docs not proceed from any doubt in his mind as to
my guilt; nnd wliilo lie would thus deprive me of
nn opportunity to investigate tlie facts, he wished
to fix upon the record of this court the impression
tlmt I am guilty, and tlmt he can prove it; but, for
the reasons assigned, he does not prosecute tho
case.
This court having keen ordered by tho govern
ment to investigate nnd report the facts, I am now
here, ready and anxious to go on with the pro
ceedings, (should such be tho pleasure of the court,)
and to fully vindicato my conduct and defond my
character against oach nnd eveiy charge which
the Goncral-in-chicf has preferred against mo.
I urn not, however, willing to follow an example
of doubtful propriety, by nsauming an attitude of
definnee before tlie court, but shall acquiesce in
its decision, be it what it may.
I am accused, under many specifications, of nu
merous offonccB, several of which are, if proven
true, sufficient to convict ine boforo a court mar
tial. Dues Gen. Scott mean to say that he has no
witnesses present, by whom ho can prove any of
these charges? or does he refuse to prosecute me/
on one or more of them, because the evidence is
not at hand to convict mo of all ?
If tlie Gencral-in-cliiof had withdrawn his
chnrges from the conviction that tho impressions
under which ho had originally acted were uriSBl-
ous, mid tlmt, from subsequent information, he was
satisfied that ho dune tnc injustice, it would have
saved me the necessity of adopting the courao
which I am now bound, by my own honor, to
pursuo.
R has thus been shown that the reasons assign
ed hy Gen. Scott, for abandoning the prosecution,
are insufficient. If ho still persists in his deter
mination, I shall hold myself acquitted of his accu
sations, and tho world must so regard it. With
this viow of tho case, I submit the whole matter
to tho consideration of tlio court, with the remark
tlmt I hope the court, hy the action it may take,
will protect me from the consequences resulting
from the course on the side of the prosecution.
Respectfully submitted:
GIDEON J. PILLOW, Maj. Gen.,U.S. A.
City of Mexico, March 17,1848.
After the reading of tho document by Gon. Pil
low, tho court adjourned until Monday, the 90th
March.
Moanav, March 90,1818.
The court inel at tho usual hour; present, all the mem
bers.
The muse of Major Gen. ScoU being before the court,
Gen. Worth submitted the following paper, which, after
deliberating with closed doors, the court decided not to
entertain:
Mr. President and Qentlemm of Me Court:
Having without reservation, In my letter to this court,
dated the Mill instant, and for reasons therein staled,
withdrawn my charges against Major General 8eott,itia
with feelings of deep regret, that I And myself called
upon, ngnin to allude to this subject; but the paper thia
day presented nnd read to this court, renders it my duty
to do so. If I am misunderstood or misrepresented, here
or elsewhere, in respect to tlie course 1 have felt it my
duly to pursue, it is my misfortune—that oourse was the
dictate of my own heart—its propriety ia oonlnuad by
iny own judgment.
I shall say nothing in relation to the appeal of Major
Gen. 8eott to sympathy, or tha attitude or tManeeTua
lets thought proper to assume before this court—this is, at
all limes, a neuter of taste, and ia alike the resort of the
innocent nnd the guilty.
Nnreltall I remark upon the violent denuneiatfcma ha
has been pleased to level agalnat his Government, whom
commission he bears, and whose lawftil decisions he la
Isiimd in duty and in honor u> respect; neither shall I al
lude to the origin of the diiliculty between M^or Geo.
Scott and myself—the Acts of tits case are he fore the
public, anti I am willing lo abide the Impartial judgment
of my countrymen.
I merely propose to set Major Geo. 8eott right in a fcw
errors of fan, into which an eieesa of feeling, or malign ■
infliioncrs, seem to have hurried him.
ngnin, while he, (meaning Gen. Wunh,)1ay Jun
ior. lies been preaequitted and rewarded.’*
If Gen. Scott means tt ~ '* ’ ~
'* prejudged" and “ puni
or mtsutHleistanils its action.
Il will Ito seen by reference to the feettalmady
, tody hafoan
the public, that the General-in-chief site spied to gtifla
reaid be toenail*Emm
—tied to the humhfett. by
■ arrniid. Tfris rnarthasSmu
my acruMitiora, by nhifting himself, by-in oMiebefC
power, from the position of an Accused, to llmt of ft MtoK'
mitor.'-Which if permitted, would bo Hi " -
reiient of mrvioe, moat fatal'
bur of the profession, aa
llu* rules and article* of
I appealed to the Governraeal for promotion
what I conceived to be ir\)uittieaart tlw of “
Scott lo wards myself—ax ,l '‘
to do—and for that I waa
ordered to investigate the foots, in reference to
r, t s«,h. 1 V!r^* ,w * f
quirod that JUor Gao. Boon steal
\ pending the Uv "—
than, ia to be I
Bent” so hii*-d
not in the action of tha .
than, whs rein am I responsible _
Hcott iu nubile -rtoim
« punished” him. Mill Issaeanlho hah
die decision of that trihnnal hjnfom
to their acts. Public opiaiea ha —
Mge, before whom “ tha iimoeeMh
the guilty nothing to hope.”
As regards™, own ease, Ihera mtt hoea *a
ed,” nor have I bean “ rewarded.”
Whan t
