Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-04-08
INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE.
Generals Scott and Worih-the order disptacing
Gen. Scoif--His reply.
Wan DrrAnrmEsr, JANUARY Il

Wan DErARTaEST, JANUARY Is, ls4s.
After the fullest consideration Of the subject, the
President has not been able give his approval to the course
you have adopted towards Breve Major Gen. WoRTH and
for which will briefly he dees, for the present
least order martial for his trial the charge you
have presented agapstm The document shows that Gen.
Worth felt deeply aggneved by your "General Order No.
349 lmputaons OF very serious character were by that
order upon of the officers under your immediate COM
mand and. from its peculiar phaseoogy it was understood
by Gen. WORTH others, as indicating him of the
officers obnoxious to the and eproof therein
contained With this view of import and object of the
ORDER his attempt by all proper to remove from himself
the gnomny Of these impuaons cannot be regarded
exceptonabe course on his part As the stroke which had
he thought deeply wounded his honor officer and his
character from your hands, his application for
redress properly made to you but as he did not obtain
such redress he believed under the circumstances OF the
case due to him. he exercised, attempted to exercise
the right of an appeal to superior authority.
he was actually aggieved in this matter or believed him.
self be he had unquesonabe right to have the sub
ect brought the consideration of his and your supe
or the President of the United States He prepared charges
against you o his letter 10th Of November to the Sc
creay Of War be viewed in other character and
to send them through you the only channel he could
use without violating established regulations to this common
SUPERIOR For the matter contained IN these charges against
YOURSELF you have made charge against him. forwarded it
to the President and asked for his trial by court martial
the of proceedings which you purpose in this
sanctioned cannot
precedent will be most fatal TO the essential rights Of all subor
dnate officers If Gen. Worth has been guilty of offence
by preparing and attempting transmit charges against you TO
the President for wrongs and injuries alleged to have been in
cted by you him. to be necessary consequence
that whatever may be the character Of the and injuries
inflicted upon subordinate officers by their supeors they
not seek redress by appeal without being involved in military
offence.
fer wrong SUPERIOR justice, sound policy and the good
of the service require and demand that the to redress
should be obstructed but obsructed would be in most
eectua by the of procedure which you have
adopted in the Of General Worth.
If shall appear that General Worth has falsely and know
ingy charged you with mace Against him, and Of having
acted in unbecoming officer and gentleman to-
wards him. he has in that committed offence for which he
may and should be punished but before investigation, il
to be assumed that charges against him true
than his against you are 50.
Both law and natural justice require that the order oevents
should be pursued such The charges which he pre-
es against you should be first disposed before proceedings
be instituted against him for malice in prefeng those
charges presenting such he did not know believe
to be well founded Your charges against him go upon the
ground that he malicious prosecutor OF you. II is we'll
established principle that be proceeded against as
malicious prosecutor while the suit which is alleged be
malicious pending that must be disposed of before suit
for malicious prosecution can be instituted
In this view of the case and is the the President has
taken the charges which General Worth has presented against
you must be disposed of before any proceedings be had
that which you have presented against him.
Though have stated Gen. Worth is under arrest
your charges against him. yet is believed he is An order
WILL therefore, be with this communication for his dis
charge from l.
court of inquiry has been ordered 10 sit in Mexico to
which will be referred for examination all the charges present.
ed against General Pillow and Lieutenant Colonel Duncan
well the charges complaint of Breve Major General
Worth against yourself and the prosecution Of General Pillow
and Lieutenant Colonel Duncan, charges preferred against
them before MARTIAL will be deferred until the pro-
ceedngs of the of inquiry shall be received by the
President.
If these officers have been arrested the President,
ing any good for continuing them in that situation du
ring the session of the court will direct them be released
herefrom.
Very respectfully, your obedent servant
VIM L. MARCY, Secretary Of War.
Maj. Gen WISDFIELD ScorT,
Commanding U. s. Army, Mexico.