Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-09-24
General seoss,. diplomacy, SEA-

). ss General seotas Diplomacy, sts,:saa "a
In the absence Of any sort os civil service or any
evidence of cvilquaiRcation on the part General
Scott his supporters are dtiyent to the expsdieut OF
trumping up some capital manufactured out of sup
posed acts Of his while at the head of the American
army, in the execution of which they assert that he
was vested with certain civil powers and dseharged
certain diplomatic functions with great credit. and
acceptibility. Among other things they make aiu-1
sion to the fact that he sent by Gen. jackson to
take command of the forts at Charleston during the
of Notification, which they parade as an evidence
of an extra confidence the part ofhe old hero, when
in fact there little choice or section about the
matter the trust naturally deyoving upon Scott as
the military commandant OF the department, So in
regard to the troubles on the Canadian and New
Brunswick Frontiers. II. was Gen SCOTS business
his trade. He went as asoldier and nothing else, to-
carry out instructions ennanating from the depart
ments at Washington: tofwhom alone any civEered-
it is due in the matter. TOE. =
To show the extent Of Gen. Scots civil and dplo-
malic powers during the era of notification, about
which so much fuss is made by Scott orators and
newspapers we quote his letter of Instructions from
Lewis Cass. then Secretary of War, from whichoit
will be seen that fear Is Suppressed that some rash
j attempts may be made by individuals to take pos,
session of the forts of the United States in the har
Dor of Charleston And therefore General Seottas
an officer of experience in whose judgment the Pres.
ident has confidence is sent to examine everything
connected with the Notifications and to use such
means in the way Of Sirens thenius them ncreas-
ing their garrison prudence and just preeautop
may require. ~. 49, .Yra
He is ordered to consult freely with the collector
and District Attorney, and to take steps except
what relates to the immediate defence and secuRity
of their posts without their :order and concurrence
Even in case Of crisis arising in which the civil
force mi prove Insufficient nodiscretien is left to
Gen. Scott. In that case the President shalLde-
termne the to be taken, and the measures to
be adopted Till therefore, You are otherwise in
strueted: you will act in obedience to the legal reg
ulations of the proper civil officers of the y States
But we pubfsh>the letter entire, and ask any
one whether, after having read it, they find one
p sentence, vesting him with any other than merely
o military powers, expressing confidence in any
o thing more than his discretion experienced
: military officer. 80 = =. -"Tf
g We have never denied that much, nay more, WI
may go farther and say in The emphatic langua ge:o
the Bowery boys, that he amt any thing else. and
when he attempts to travel out of his legitimate
X sphere he either turns fool his own hook or be
comes the unconscious, but not innocen tool OF de
o signing and dangerous demagogues. ButssheIe j
the letter. and it may speak for ITSELF 1t is respect
fl full and courteous, as every thing emanating from
J. Gen. Cass invariablyis:' -
[From Niles Register February the 18th: 1ss41
IL = - '...S-: [Con6denttall s.:,:~t -';ss
- WASHINGTON. Nov. IS. 1855
l. SIR The state Of affairs in South CAROLINA has occasien
ed much soctude tothe President He ndulges in hop
that the intelligence and patriotism of her citizens will
nraction upon the Constitution and laws Of tn
General Government But while be anxiously looks o h
result, he deems it possible. from the information hee has
that in the of feeling, rash attemp
may be made by individually take possession of the fort
the United States in the harbor of Charleston The
sbiIty Of such furnishes sufficient reason TO
guarding gafns and the President is therefore anx
snd means defence Of thee ortfeao1
y may be exposed He full confidence judgenen
ID and and it his wish that you
n Qualifications. at liberty to take such measures
either by strengthening these deenees by feinoroin
their garrisons with troops drawn other posts.
OF think prudence and just preeauon may require
duty will be Of great delicaey and great iho
st the port Charleston and with the District Attorney
South Carolina and will take steps except what ri
he laes Immediate defence and Security their post
is without order and concurrence The execution u
laws will be enforced thro the civil authority and inr tn
IT. mode pointed out by the acts Should uEt
hands of the civil officers shall not be sufficient for
al President shall determine the to be taken and II
instructed you Wilt act Obedience legal regulation
of the proper civil officers of the United States fs'
will thank you to communicate freely and CONFIDENTIAL
upon every topic upon which you deem il importan
he the Government 10 receive information. . = nm
=; ,. Very respectfully, your obt serYt 49,.
in Maj. Gen Scott, fss>
" Com of the Eas DepaEtm''t 81 Washington ,s .s>
1SfS ond 1872. ---=-@