Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-04-29


this Court.
General Scott called by Defence, and dssly scorn.
Witness handed pamphlet containing publication OF
intercepted Mexican letters, with introductory letter.
O. Examine the introductory portion Of that pamphlet and
state whether you have the introduction that
pamphlet in manuscript or print.
A. Both the manuscript copy and printed copies have
been placed before me, and might probably have if
had had time will say further that have had of the
letters read 10 have read the introductory al
though has been n my power have read word
of the introduction in print but may possibly read
dozen words of IN manuscript and certainly many
lines have had several of the original letters in my posses
sion, and have heard read TO me in English may
have read three or four in Spanish but the Spanish
in manuscript with great difficulty, in print but imper
cty desire 10 record, Mr. President, that while in
mand consider myself responsible for The official of my
staff whether acting by my order Col. Hitchcock
was in my STAFF while remained in command.
c. State whether you know who is the author of this pam
/ phet H.
A. Think stated before that Col Hitchcock had proposed
the publication OF the letters, and that did object
the publication OF the introduction believe that Col Hitch
4 cock got up the whole pamphlet.
@ DO you be understood that COL Hitchcock had
permission to publish the introduction and if So who gave
him the permission
A. stated that he mentioned his purpose to me, and
heartily concurred consider Col Hchcocks official acts
be and wish TO add that have not seen that
phlet since the day which supposed it first appeared
Q. Witness will state whether he knows has to
believe that letters have been written by his general per-
sona staff which have found their way papers Of the
United States
A. have believe that any officer attached
General Headquarters has wtten caused to be wrtten
letter. letters which have found Their way into the public
press home do not know that any such officer has writ
any such letters designed for the pabc press, and please
add Mr. Judge Advocate, CLERK do not think have
had CLERK capable of writing such letters
O. Do you consider publication like the Introductory
muncaton to the intercepted letters viz substantial account
of the operations in this valey without the sanction Of e
War Department, an official act
A. truly say that have read enough of the
Introduction give opinion marks of ofcialy
about the paper wish add, Mr. President that had the
bill for printing this paper pamphlet been presented me,
was ready pay for if have not already paid for it out
of the public money. If have paid for it shall have
morandum of it.
c. Has the order of The President Of the United States
relative letters been enforced against the author Of the in
PRODUCTION
A. do not know that the author of the Introduction has
fallen under the denuncaons of that order OF the President
wish TO refresh my memory relative to the printing.
derstand, rather know, it was printed here.
II here decided by the Court that Gen. Scott should be
allowed until morning examine this paper and
give his answer to that question.
Captain Huger called and Sworn,
Question by Defence Were you member of the general
staff of Gen. Scott in September last
| A. Yes, sir.
A newspaper handed Capt Huger and the follow
ing question propounded:
O. Examine the letter marked with ink, and say whether
you know who is the author.
A. have glanced this letter sufficiently to believe
that it private letter Of mine COL Taco chief of the
Ordnance Department It marked and endorsed " pr
rate, " inside and out.
The letter was here read and Capt Huger continued his
follows: at the time Chief Of Ordnance in
/ Gen. SCOTS staff.
Question by The Prosecution Did the witness ever show
me General Sco the letter before printed
in any way make acquainted with the fact that il
/ printed.
| A. Never.
q. Was the printed letter. which the witness recognises
addressed the Chief Of the Ordnance Department
ngton Intended for his information and through him the
War Department
A. As is stated in the first part Of that letter. although 1t
marked private had been unable send off my reports:
therefore sent this private abstract 10 the Chief Of Ordnance
at Washington, to give him important information relative to
his department here.
O. Is not the Chief Of Ordnance at Washington branch
Of the War Department. and the official Of the
Chief Of that Department the acts Of the Secretary Of War
A. The duties of the Chief Of that Department are as
aed-hs official acts considered being done with the
sanction Of the Secretary OF War and have doubt that
# Colonel Talcot published that letter, done with
the sanction Of the Secretary Of Wa-but this merely
opinion.
General Scott stated TO the Court that he should call upon
Colonel Tacou show how that found way into
the public prints st home, when this Court adoums the
United States.
Question by Defence Witness will state whether the let
ter was an official letter il why marked inside and
" "Pruate?"
A. Il private letter communicate important inor-
nation 10 The Chle OF my Department. As before stated,
unable to send of my regular reports and returns and
wrote this letter merely for the information Of the Chief
the Department, and not for publication and marked il
private becsuse did not wish this letter. giving such par
a Of the operations Of the Department here 20
on the files Of the Department at Washington, had full
and complete reports prepared which had Of
warding al that time.
The Court then adjourned to morning at 8
O'Clock.
ELEVENTH DAY-MARcH %, Is4S.
The Court met pursuant adjournment and the proceed
ings being read
The examination Of Gen ScorT resumed upon the fol
lOwinguesOn, which put yesterday, but which Gen. s.
was allowed until this morning consider and before
answering:
Question Jy Detnoe Docs the witness consider publ
cation Of the Of the introductory communication the
intercepted Mexican letters, Published without the authority
Of the War Department an official act
A. read last night after retiring my bed, the ntoduc-
tory letter to that pamphlet II is paper made conform-
~ with the proposition plan submitted by Lieut. Colonel
Hitchcock, acting inspector general TO at Tacubaya pend
ing the sTmscc IL has marks in the printed form o Of
Gcaly, distinctly authorized by before il written
is not letter. what is usually called report bot what
processes upon It's face 10 be- explanatory introduction
intercepted Mexican letters deemed by me- well as Col
Hitchcock highly interesting 70 the whole army and there
fore worthy Of publication. consider that publications. thus
authorized in advance 10 be virtually my act and under
the regulation IN question, and IN the language o that reG-
laiion that the proper authority Chief Of
the army in Mexico give special permission for IL pubca-
Il on proceed 10 say that examined last evening and find
that the publication paid for Of The public money
q a - e