Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1852-03-26

to secure to naturaized lrlshmcn, the usagcs
of war. Up TO that time there was no piece
dent for retaliation upon the enemy, who retus-
ed 10 treat the nlturalzcd as equal with the ma
tive American prisoner. To Mr.. Blnns, and
other patriotic Irish citizens then in Phlladcl-
phia, and among others to General then Col)
Scott, it was due, that OH the eth of May,
1913, Congress passed lis "Act vesting the
President Of the United States with the power
of retaliation"-of shooting man for man,
should tho British re use to concede the usages
OF war to the Irish soldiers Of America. The
following letter was written Oh this subject. in
January, lSl3:-
Lieutenant Co.. Scott 10 The Secretary Of Var.
SIR; think 1t my duty to lay before the
department that, OH the arrival at Quebec OF
the American prisoners Of war surrendered at
Queenstown, they were mustered and cNalnln-
ed by British officers appointed to that duty,
and every natyC-bUn OF the United Kingdoms
OF Great Britain and Ireland scquestcred, and
sent on board ship Of war then III the harbor.
| The vessel III few days thereafter, sailed for
England, with these persons on board. Be
tween fifteen and twenty persons were thus
taken from US, natives of Ireland, several of
whom were known by their platoon officers to
| be naturallzrd citizens Of the United tatcS,
and others to have been long residents within
! the same. One in particular, whose name has
cXcapcd me, besides having complied with all
the conditions of our naturalization laws. was
represented by his officers to have left wife
and live children, all Of them born within the
State of New York.
distinctly understood, as well from the Off
GERS who came Oh board the prlson-ship for the
above purposes, us from Others with whom |
demonstrated Oh the subject, that it was the de-
termination of the British Government, as cX-
pressed through If George Provost, to punish
every man whom it might subject to its power,
found III arms against the British king contrary
to his native allegiance.
nave the honor to be, Sir,
Your most obedICnt servant,
w. SCorr,
Leut.-Co., L. $. I'd Artillery.
The brilliant services of lrlsh~born or de-
seconded men in that war-ot Brady, Miller,
Muony, Mckcon, Roach, and Mcneil in the
North, and of Jackson, Carroll, Coffee, and
others in the South no doubt also inspired that
bold and Just, special enactment.
One .oi the most serious drawbacks on SCOTS
Presidential prospects Is, his "naivist letter OF
Is II, to IA Mr.. Reed Of Philadelphia. In that
letter he expressed the following rash opinion
81 now hesitate between extending the per-
iod Of residence before Naturalization and Il
total rcpcl Of all acts Of Congress on the sub-
ject. Nh miHd iuctincS TO the latter"
We have reason to know that the General
has since repented his Reed letter" lndced
a Biography OF him Just published contains as
appendix, an answer to some questions by that
r inconycnlcnt nterrog ltor Of Wing notabitles,
(Mr. ". l.. Roblnsonl which openly rCcants
the obnoxious declaration. lie writcs:-
"ln reply to your kind letter OF the Sth inst
take pleasure III saying that, grateful for the
too partial estimate you place on my public
scrvlc2s YOU do me no more than Justice III as
stunning that entertain "kind and liberal views
tow ards Our natura,lzcd citizens" Certainly
; it ould be Impossible for Inc to recommend OF
support any measure intended to exclude them
4 from just and full participation in all civil
and political rights now secured 10 them by oul
republican laws and institutions.
1t is true, that in Il season OF unusual excite
mcnt, some years ago, when both parties com
= planned of fraudulent practices III the natural
lzation OF foreigners, and when there seemed
to be danger that native and adopted citizen,
would be permanently arraycd against. each 9th
err in hostile factions, | was inclined to concur
S in the opinion, then avowed by many leading
statesmen, that some modification Of the natur
"
prevent abuses, ulay strife, and restore harmo
> ny between the different classes Of our people
But later experience and reflection have entire
ly removed this Impression, and dlssipated my
apprehensons.
In my recent campaign in Mexico, a very
lure proportion OF the men under my command
were your countrymen. (lrshj Germans Sc
= witnessed with admiration their zeal, fidelity
: and ya!or in maintaining our flag in the face .
every danger. Nlclng with each other and on
native born soldiers in the same ranks in pa
trotlsW, consistency, and heroic daring, va
happy to call them brothc!s, in the field, US
shall always be TO salute them as countrynIei
al home
This letter is dated Washington, May Doth
Isis, and no doubt contains the writer's ates
e opinions, on the subject Of the naturalization
OF cmlgrans.
General Scott is now in his G7th year, an,
is justly regarded as one of the most dl>,ln
guished soldiers Of the age--1H .mericu
: CcH.
rThc Governor and the School Supcrintcn
dent.
The last Or'cmw County Gazette contains