The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1848-04-21
fiIoior 1atk Duwning.
From he National Iafehgeneer.
Fifth Despatch OF Major Downing.
cirr OF MLxrco, March IS, ls4s.

1
war, and the treaty, and things of that
sort that belongs TO diplomalics. Of course
send my dispatches to the President or
Mr.. Richie; but when things branch off
into the newspaper line, then | send EN-
TO you. We've had Gineral Scott on
trial here for FIVE days for high treason
against Gineral Pillow and Gneral
Worth. II il goes agin him don know
whether they will conclude 10 hang him
or shet him up in some of the mines OF
Mexico for life. Bat he fights like
Turk. and aint skeercd at notiin. The |
President better send ON some mnre help |
for aint sure that what there is here will
be able TO handle him. The battle has
been pretty hot for ive days, and | don't
see as they get the upper hand of him at
all vet. Ii would be a great pity If a
man that has been guilty of such hor-
rible crimes as lie has out here in MeXi'
co. should slip through their husers at
last and escape punishment. begin toI
feel little afraid how it will come out.
For my part, go for justice, hi; who
twill. If man will commit crimes let
him he punished for it. I'm afraid the
President has missed fgger in leaving
il out to such men as he has. 1t would a
been safer and more sure to leave it out
to Jury nf Mexicans. I've no doubt the
least verdict they would give, would IA
been two years in the deepest aud dark
cat mine in Mexico for his taking Vera
Cruz and the Castle; two years more for
the cutting and sashin he give 'em at
Cerro Gorio; two years more for Chopul.
tspec and Churubusco; and all the rest
Of his life for his taking the city of Mex
leo. In that case you see; his punish
ment would be measured out according
to his crimes.
was thinking last night that | ought
to make up little budget about this tli
al, and send it on to you, as promised
TO let you know once in while how
things was getting along out here. And
while | was bothering my head to know
which end to begin at, a man came III and
brought me letter. took it aud open
cd it, and couldn't hardly believe my eyes
at first, ITO see the name Of Ginera! PHI
low signed to'it. He requested me TO cal
at his quarters in the evening" on very
urgent and important business. Thlnk'
! ltomyself, whatin thuudercan this mean
Then | thought, may be they had got {
hint that the prisoner intended to run a
way, and they wanted me To help keel
guard round Gineral SCOTS quartcrs II
Il I;1t,,t aeuona
So Jest al dark went round to Ginera
Pillows quarters. He seemed to he a
niazin glad to see me, and took me by M
arm and led me into 'tother room.
"Major Downing" says he, I'm YER
happy to see you. wish you woudn'
mako yourself such stranger to my quar-
tiers; it would give me great deal
pleasure to see you oftener."
thanked him, and told him that hi
rank was good deal superior to mine
and | always felt kind of delicate abor
putting myself along side of them tina
was so much above me,
"Not at ALL" says. he, "Major. not
all; we have to observe rank, to be sure
when we are on the field; but everywhor
else We are all equals; give us your hand
And here he gave my hand another heal
ty shake.
Major" says he. II understand yo
write letters to the National Intelligence
sometimes, about matters out here
Mexico"
"Well, yes" says |, "Gineral,
sometimes, when it don't interfere vii
my public duties as the Presidents pr
vate ambassador.
Then he turned round aud put the doc
to and began to speak in lttlo lowe
tone.
"Major." says he, that Intelligence
isa capital paper; it deserves To be el
couraged | take mdrm interest IN II
prosperity gf that paper. and mean 10 q
something far il. III be tic making Q
ii get, when get to the rank and static
that expect to get. spose you'll zen
some account of this Court Martial dow
by tho courier tomorrow to go TO the 1t
telligencer, won't youl"
"Well, yes" says |, II was lhinkin
Of sending some little outline Of it, I
the folks ut home in tho United State
might understand the substance Of it I
far as it has got along"
Then he took n written paper out
his pocket, aud, says, he, "Major, he
isa clear account Of the proceedings
far as they have gone, all carefully draw
up, putting everything in true light.
should like To have you take this and scr
it on to tho IntelliGencer, and have it i
serted as coming from authentic Sourc
or, il you choose, you can work it in AZ
make 1t a part of your leterand then n
body will doubt but what it comes fro
IN authentic source should rather,
the whole, that you would work it in
your letter. that would he the best shal
to put it in, and would be next thing
an official report"
After took il aud looked while oy
some part Of il, says "Gmeral. it see
10 me it is most too soon 10 send on 81
particular account as this for fear
making some mistakes. II must Ia
some time to pick the matters all up a
put them togsther in the right shape,
as to give every one his fair share.
though, | would send on now the m
-.o;,,,. oc 70 an1 sa,J an ,l,, ,,or,;.u1