Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-10-09
GEN. SCOTT IN MEXICO.

The following article from Mansfelds Life Of
Gen ScoTT contains the correspondence with the
ARCHBISHOP of Mexico. In the meanwhile cor
respondence took place between Gen. SooTT and the
ARCHBISHOP of Mexico, in relation to the Mexican
prisoners, honorable to the humanity of both Arch
bishop JUAN MANUAL addresses General SCOTT,
November 9Th, thus
"EccLEsIAsTIcAL GOVERNMENT OF THE
" ARcHBIsH0P OF Mexico,
" Merico, Noreaaber s, lS47.
"Mosr EXCELLENT SIR: The respect which your Ex-
ceency manifested to the Mexican Church of which
the unworthy head) in calling upon me- has induced
take advantage of the favorable disposition of your
Excellency to ask favor which will perpetuae your
mory and win make known to the faithful members of my
diocese the feeling of benevoence which you entertain
towards them.
"a multitude Of fathers wives children brothers. and
other relations of the prisoners who confined
der the order of your Exceency loudly entreat their
liberty and the prisoners themselves vehemeny lament
the many evils which their confinement has brought down
upon their families, who depend upon them for subsst
ence and who consequently reduced to misery and
In many cases to absolute state Of indulgence. We're
there any important political why these prisoners
should not be liberated should have been SO bold
to ask to it, but their number is small and distributed
as they will be, in different parts of the republic their
importance must be Insignificant.
ask their liberty not only because it is duty of my
ofce but my heart also impels to seek real
ISOLATION for these unfortunate men, whom the tes Of
have reduced to SO lamentable condition"
General ScoTT received this communication with pro-
respect and stated that Vera Cruz and Cerro Cor
do the Mexican prisoners promptly and cheeruly
paroedthat is released word of honor to take
up arms; but that they had repeatedly violated their
paroles that of the officers taken in the valley Of Mexico
but one remained in confinement and he only because he
asserted his intention to take up again and that in
regard to certain propositions for the release Of certain
American prisoners taken from the army of the Rio
Grande, he had received only evasve replies Notwth-
standing these things, however, Gen. Soorr replies:
But the application of your Grace to under
sanctions too high to be neglected therefore beg
that your Grace win have the goodness appoint
some dgntay of the church to visit the Mexican prison
ers of war frank and file, common men) confined
in the capital and explain to them the customs and usages
of war in such caseyz that the prisoners released
parole always put to death if taken in against
the same beligerents before being duly exchangedand
add the solemn admonon of the church against the yo-
laton of their paroles, will Immediately, under that holy
sanction the said prisoners to be released pa
role 50 that they may return to their respective families,
friends, and peaceful occupations
The ARCHBISHOP replies December ~ that he will
fulfil all the conditions and that he will personally adj
minister the requisite oath"