Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-08-02
POLITICAL.



General Scott In Mexico.
We received short time ago, from gen.
tleman in Maryland. letter ofinquiry respect-
ing Gen. SCOTS religious opinions-,hat is, Of
what church he was member or professed
to be attached to-and stating az reason for
the inqliry that certain reported incidents in
Gen. SCOTS career in Mexico had led to the
impression that he was Roman Catholic
Regarding it ourselves as of less consequence
what mans religious faith is. SO "his life is in
the right" and not doubling that an homes,
Catholic would make as good President as
an honest man ofany other persuasion. yet we
answered our correspondent. as in truth we
were obliged to do, that Gen. Scott was brought
up in. and has continued all his life to be at
tached 10, the Protestant Episcopal Church,
or. as We used to call it in Virginia, the
"Church Of England" and was in fact a ves-
try-man Of that church in this city when he
was ordered away to Mexico. Perceiving
since that answer was dispatched, that con-
troversy has arisen amongst sundry papers in
the North on the question Of "Gen. SCOTS re.
ligion," we have concluded that it might not be
deemed imperinent in US to make this public
reference 10 the correspondence alluded TO a
bove.
We have, however, another motive for re.
curing TO the subject. The letter from Mary
land led US to an inquiry into the nature Of the
and the result has been the discovery Of cer-
tain military orders of Gen. Scott while occu-
pying the city Of Mexico, which, in our judg
ment. reflect So much credit on the wisdom
prudence. discretion. and humanity cf that il.
lustrious commander that we think it due to
him 10 lay them before our readers. Few per-
sons. we aPprehend, can appreciate the re-
sponsibilities the anxieties. and the multipci
ty of duties which environ the commander of a
victorious army in foreign country. the cap
tor Of a rich and populous city. and having no
guide or check but his own discretion. unless
indeed. as was most fortunately the case with
Gen. Scott. his own humanity. This brief al
lusion to the awfully responsible position Of
Gen. Scott, after he had fought his way into
the great capital Of Mexico. will suggest to the
reader the nature and variety Of cases every
hour appealing to the sole discretion, and de-
manding instant and stern decision. We al
most think that tho lustre Of his general
ship was d;mmed by the civic virtues which he
displayed in circumstances so trying.
From general order. issued on the 18th
September. lS47, embracing a great many
particulars. to meet all probable exigencies,
we extract the following passages:
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
NATIONAL PALACE OF MEXICO, Sept. II ,ls47.
GENERAL ORDERS-No. 2s7.
l. 1t is still to be spprehended that many
grave offences not provided for inthe act Of
Congress establishing rules and articles for
the government of the armies Of the United
States." approved April 10. 1906. may be a.
gain committed by or upon individuals ofthose
armies in Mexico. pending the existing war be-
tween the two Repnblics. Allusion is here
made to offences any one Of which. If commit
ted within the United States OF their organized
Territories, would Of course be tried and se.
verely punished dy the ordinary or civil courts
of the land.
2. Assassination, murder, poisoning, rape.
or attempt to commit either; malicious stab
bing or manning; malicious assault and battery.
robbery, theft; the wanton desecration Of
churches, Cemeteries, or other religious edi6ces
and fixtures; the interruption Of religious cere-
monies, and the destruction. except by order
of a superior officer, Of public or private prop.
erty. are such offences.
3. The good ofthe service, the honor Of the
imperiously demand that every crime enumer-
ated above should be severely punished.
4. But the written code. as above common
ly called the Rules and articles Of Var. does
not provide for the punishment Of one of those
crimes. even when committed by individuals
Of the army upon the persons or properly Of
other individuals of the same, except in the
very restricted case in the 9th Of those articles,
nor for like outrages, committed by the same
class Of individuals. upon the persons or prop
erty OF hostile country, except very partial
ly. in the 2lst. 22nd. and 25uDrticles; and the
same code is absolutely silent a. to all injuries
~hch may be inflicted upon individuals Of the
army. or their property. against the laws Of
war. by individuals Of a hostile country.
6. For all the offences, therefore. enumera.
ted in the second paragraph above. which may
be committed abroad. in. by. or upon the ar
my, a supplemental code is absolutely needed.
Z. That nnwritten code is Martial lar, as
addition TO the written military code. prescrib-
ed by Congress in the rules and articles Of
war; and which unwri,ten code all armies, in
hostile countries, are forced to adopt, not on
ly for their own safety. but for the protection
Of the unoAendng Inhabitants and their prop
erty, about the theatres of military operations.
against injuries on the part ofthe army. con-
trary to the laws of war,
g. From the same supreme necessity mar
tal law is hereby declared as a supplemental
code, in and about all Cities towns, camps,
posts, hospitals, and other places which may
be occupied by any part Of the forces of the
United States in Mexico. and in and about all
columns. escorts, conveys, guards, and de-
tachments Of the said forces. while engaged in
prosecuting the existing war in and against the
said Republic. and while remaining in the
same.
8. Accordingly. every crime enumerated in
paragraph No. 2. above. whether committed
l. BY any inhabitant Of Mexico. sojourner or
traveller therein upon the person or property
Of any individual ofthe United States forces.
retainer, or follower of the same; 2. By any
individual ofthe said forces, retainer, or follow
er of the same. upon the person or property Of
any inhabitant OF Mexico, sojourner. or travel
Ter therein; or 3. By any individual Of the said
forces. retainer, or follower Of the same, upon
heperson or property Of any other individual
OF the said forces, retainer, or follower Of the
same, shall be duly tried and punished onder
the supplemental code.
10. For this purpose. it is ordered that all
offenders in the matters aforesaid, shall be
promptly seized, confined, and reported for
trial before Military Commissions. to be duly
appointed. (then given.l
Is. The admiDistration of iustiee. botb in