The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-09-25
FlOm me New Y0Tk Herald.
General scott and the Adopted Citizens.
Real, IriShmsa Real The Record
PREslDEsr aADIsos sUrPlANrED BY ersKRAL SCOTT

PREsiDENr aADIsos suPfAANrED BY GENERAL SCOTT.
| The OF 1912 was declared 10 project native
and naaTalized citizens from British npressmenl The
British government asserted the right OF lmpIessuen
solely upon the pretex that British subject could not
expara,e himself, or BY swearing allegiance 10 the
United States. himself from the authority Of
his native countTy. Every Englshman, Scolchman,
lshnan found board ships, was, under this pre-
text, made liable TO be impressed Oar government
solved 10 encounter all the calames OF in resistance
TO this principle, which Ia practice was made cover
under which 10 drag native born Americans. well
naufalized citizens, from ships. As soon the
war commenced. The British government pushed their
principle TO its necessary consequence, and proclaimed
every man who had been British subject traitor il
he bore in defence OF the United States his adopted
country Following up this doctrine, the first prisoners
taken by England winnowei for these traitors
and our naturalized citizens found among them were
put IN irons and sent home. IS called, TO be tried
Tor high treason The first case occurred IN August,
1872 On the 18Th OF October. 1879, the Wasp which
had captured the British ship Frolic was taken by The
British -, Poicers -Niiess Rsg,ser, poi - p. 223
Noticing the progress The BRUSH making IN Selling
our adopted citizens as traitors Officer OF the United
States oop Wasp says letter that 'the boaiswan OF
Bermuda, suspicion OF being British subjects. with
view 10 Try Them for treason This is the third 10
which some Of sailors have been detained this
plea. The two former promptly met by putng into
close confinement twice the number held by the en-
emy as hostages for The safety Of people; and we
trust the like procedure will prevail in this instance. "a
well as that punishment may be inflicted parj pssst, 10
all cases add at every hazard General Washington
reluctantly compelled 10 adop, this line OF conduc, during
General Scott takes TO himself. in his autobiography,
the credit Of having first established this reaatory sys
tenn IN favor OF our adopted citizens by bringing his per
sona influence to bear Congress in 1913 But lei
hear what Mr.. Madison says this subject in his
sage OF 1912
/ Extract from the Presidents Message
The British commander in that province. nevertheless,
with the sanction as appears OF his government thought
proper 10 select from American prisoners OF and send
TO Great Britain for trial, criminals. number OF nd.
yiduals who had emigrated from the British domnions
long PRIOR to the state OF between the nations,
who had incorporated themselves with political
cley IN the modes recognised by the law and practice
OF Great Britain aud who were made prisoners Of war
under The banners OF their adopted country, fighting for
its rights and lis safety The protection due these Gill.
zens requiring eiectual interpositon in their behalf
like number OF British prisoners OF war were put into
confinement, with notification that they would expe-
Renee whatever violence might be committed on the
American prisoners of sent to Great Britain. II
was hoped that this necessary consequence OF the
step unadvisedy taken the part of Great Britain
would have led her government 10 reflect the in.
conssencIes OF It's conduct and that sympathy with
the British, n not with the American sufferers, would
have arrested the cruel opened by its exam
pie. Tn rs. unhappy, was not the In violation both
OF consistency and OF humanity, American officers and
non commissioned officers in double the number OF the
British soldiers confined here, ordered into close
confinement with formal notice that in the event OF
talialion for the death which might be inflicted on the
prisoners OF sent TO Great Britain for trial. the OFF,
GERS SO confined would be put to death also II was no.
titled al the time that the commanders OF the Brit
sh fleets and armies coast instructed, in the
same event, TO proceed with destructive severity
against towns and their inhabitants That doubt
might be left with the enemy of adherence 10 the
retaatory imposed us, corresponding number
OF British officers prisoners of in hands. were
Immediately put into close confinement abide the fate
OF those confined by the enemy and the British govern
ment has been appzed OF the determination OF this gov
ernment TO etaate any proceedings against contrary
10 the legitimate modes Of warfare II is fortunate for
the United States that they have in their power to
meet the enemy in this deploable contest is hoaor
able 10 them that they do not join II but under the
impenous obligations, and with the humane purpose OF
calculating return 10 the established usages OF
With these facts before the reader let him examine
General SCOTS pEeensioos OF having been the who
put this relalatory system into operation Observe what
a heroic demonstration he makes OF himself in setting
his championship thus great national question:
IN regard TO which he would leave the reader TO suppose
the President and government had been entirely remiss il
/ not AFRAID To take a stand #".
Among the prisoners taken by The British at Queens
town with Scott about sixty naturallZed citizens
authorities claimed the right and expressed the determine
non TO hang them traitors. These were al Que
bec board vessel with Scott and the of the pris
oners, all bound to Boston TO be exchanged The British
officers came on board and began 10 select the shmen
whom they intended 10 send home grace the gallows
The officers had no sure means OF detecting the Irish but
by their brogue their confession. Scott, who be-
low, bearing what was going on Immediately rushed
deck and told his afflicted hold their peace Then
turning TO The British officers, he boldly denounced their
proceedings and threatened like retaliation upon The
British prisoners ii they dared TO execute a single
among his comrades The officers haughty reminded him
that he was himself prisoner and ordered him into the
go. and again called upon his Irish soldiers TO answer
more questions high quarrel ensued but the result
that no more OF the prisoners could be identified Irish
men, for they would not open their lips. The officers
however had already selected twenty three before Scott
made his appearance These separated from their
fellow prisoners and put board tIigaie, aud des
patched to England TO be hung But they did not go until
Scott had solemny warned the British authorities that he
would surely avenge the death of every they dared
TO lay violent hands upon, by terrible fetrbuton upon
the first English prisoners that should fall into his hands
alter he should be liberated Scott exchanged
How faithfully he kept his promise we shall see He
proceeded at 10 Washington and obtained the pas
sage BY Congress, OF law to reiaate upon British pris.
oners any such outrage threatened at Quebec He
again fought and conquered He had prisoners in plenty
He forthwith selected tweny-three OF genuine English
descent 0or he declared he would not offset Irish by
Ilsh) and held them hostages for the doomed twenty
three lrshmen taken home To be executed. He then
communicated 10 the British authorities what he had
done, and informed them that II they dared execute
their threat on the twenty three rishmen, the twenty
three Englishmen should pay the penalty by promptly
sharing the same fate. The consequence that the
lives OF the frshmen spared, and The close OF the
war they embarked from England, and shortly after
arrived in New York"
What tremendous threat (Scott himself being pris.
one al Quebec) when che solemny warned the British
authorities that he would surely avenge the death OF
cry they dared to lay hands upon, by terrible retri.
button upon the first English prisoners that should fall
into bis hands after he should be liberatedr Is il not
wonderful that they dared TO liberae him The Presi-
den, bad time before ordered two for be in.
caceated hostages Tor every adopted citizen whose
ife was threaened and the officers Of army and
navy had duly executed the order But what was the ac
tua execution oil the threat by such Iipuans Madi-