Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-04-26
FIFTH DISPATCHES OF MAJOR DOWNING.
CRY OF MEXICO, March %, IS4s.

49,, vi NouiSc SciIu my ueSpatCiicS W
dent or MIR. Richie; but when things branch of
into the newspaper line, then l send 'em to you
| We've had Gineral Scott on trial here five days
for high treason against Gineral Pillow and Ginera
Worth. lit goes agin him don't know whether
they will conclude to hang him or shet him up in
some of the mines of Mexico for life. But he fights
like Turk and amt skeered at nothin. The Pre-
sident better send on some more help, for | amt
sure that what there is here will be able TO handle
him. The battle has been pretty hot for five days,
and ! dori sec as they get the upper hand of him
at all yets lt-"ou,d be great pity if man that
has been guilty of such horrible crimes he has
out here in Mexico, should slip through their fin
gers at last and escape punishment begin to feel
a little afraid how it will come out For my part
60 for Justice, hit who twill IL a man will COM
init crimes let him be punished for it. Pm afraid
the President has missed figger in leaving it out
to such men as he has. 1t would been safer and
more sure to leave it out TO jury of Mexicans.-
l've no doubt the least verdict they would give,
would n been two years in the deepest and darkest
mine in Mexico for his taking Vera Cruz and the
Castle two years more for the cutting and slash
in he gave 'cm at Cerro Gordo two years more for
Chapultepec and Churubusco; and all the rest OF
his life for his taking the city of Mexico. In that
case, you see, his punishment would been meas
ured out something according to his crimes
l was thinking last night that ought to make
up little budget about this trial and send it on to
you, pIOHliSeu 10 let you KNOW ODCO In a Wnllc
how things was getting along out here. And
while was bothering my head to know which end
to begin at, man came in and brought me little
letter. took it and opened it, and couldn't hardly
believe my eyes at first to the name OF Gineral
Pillow signed to it, He requested me to call at
his quarters in the evening" OH very urgent and
important business Thinks to myself, what in
thunder can this mean? Then thought, may be
they had got hint that the prisoner intended
TO run away, and they wanted me to help keep
guard round Gineral Scott's quarters to see that
he didn't escape.
So jest at dark went round to Gineral Pillows
quarters. He seemed to be amazin glad to see me-
and took me by the arm and led me into 'tother
room
''Maor Downing" says he, 'Im very happy to
see you. wish you wouldn't make yourself such
stranger to my quarters; it would give me great
deal of pleasure TO see you oftener."
thanked him, and told him that his rank was
good deal superior to mine, and always felt
kind of delicate about putting myself along side OF
them that was so much above me.
''Not at all" says he, 'Major, not at all !; we
have 10 observe rank, to be sure, when we are on
the field but every where else we are all equals,
Major, all equals; give us your hand" And here
he Civ my hand another hearty shake.
s'Major," says he, al understand you write let
tiers to the National Inteligencer sometimes about
matters out here in Mexico.'
! Gil, Snlo GO SOHetifleS,
when it don't interfere with my public duties as
the Presidents private ambassador.
! Then he turned round and put the door to and
begun to speak in a little lower tone.
''Nlajor," says he, chat Inteligencer is CAPT
tai paper, great paper; 1t deserves TO be encoura-
ged. take a ,carm interest in tie prosperity Of
that paper, and mean to do something for 1T
III be The making Of ii get, when get to the rank
and situation that expect to get. ! spose you'll
send some account of this Court Martial down by
the Courier tomorrow to 60 to the Intelligencer,
won't you ?'
''Well, yes" says |, ''I was thinking Of send
ing some little outline of it, the folks at home in
! the United States might understand the substance
Of it as far as ii has got along"
I Then he took written paper out of his pocket,
and, says he, Nlajor, here is clear account of the
proceedings far as they have gone, all carefully
drawn up, and putting every thing in true light.
| should like to have you take this and send it on
TO the lnielligencer and have it inserted as coming
from authentic source; or, if you choose you can
work it in and make ii a part of your letter, and
! then nobody will doubt but what it comes from an
authentic source. | should rather, on the whole.
that you would work it into your letter that would
be the best shape to put 1T in, and would be next
thing TO an official report"
After took it and looked while over some parts
of it, says |, General, it seems to it is most toe
1 soon to send on such particular account as this
some time TO pick the matters all up and put them
together in the right shape, to give every one
his fair share. thought would send on now the
main points Oft, and send on the particulars when
we've had chance to pick 'em all up and put ZEN
| together right"
"But, Major" says he, ''Im very anxious This
account should go off ,ouh the first impressions
You know great deal depends on first impressions
therefore time should be lost in getting this be
fore the pubc and the best way TO do it is to worl
it into your report. To be sure the paper does con
siderable justice to me, but not more than thinl
you will be satisfied belongs to me. ! nerer asI
any one to putt me; but hare confidence i,
you TO belieue that you ,DiU do me justice Inc
ger forget my friends. There's no knowing bu
the upshot of this trial may tip Gineral Scott on
of the tail-end Of the cart yet and, if so, stant
good chance Of being placed at the head of militia
ry affairs here; and, between you and me, tina
would give me strong chance of succeeding Mr.
Polk in the Presidency. And | wish you to un
derstand, Major, that never forget my friends"
''Wei," says ], General, seein you are so az
nest about it, III take the paper home with me AM
look it over, and if find can work it into my let
ter so it will look shjpshape III do it. And then
take it shall have your word upon the honor of al
officer that you never will forget and the Nation
al Intellgencer."
: That you shall" says ne, giving me anolho
shake OF the hand. "But," says he "you bette
stop with me tonight. and do it all up here; II
gice yon d comfortable place to uritc some plac
to sleep, and soldier fire"
thanked him very kindly for his hospitality
, but told him should have 10 go beck to my quar-
, tiers, where had left some parts Of my despatc
ready fixed UP. In bidding me good nghthe shoe
me very warmly by the hand, and urged me agai
to put the document lie had given me into my le
ter, as he was Uery anrioUs it should 60 eff ,ril
the first impressions. So here it is and if fin
it necessary, after copying it, TO add any notes
interlinings can DO it: