The Minnesotian. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1851-1852, 1852-03-27
AN INCORRUPTIBLE PATRIOT

AN INCORRUPTIBLE PATRIOT.
Should the name of Winfield Scott be
placed before the people the present year
for the Office highest in their gift, it will
not be alone the deeds of the Niagara from
tier, or of the conquest of Mexico, that
will contribute to arouse an enthusiasm in
the breasts of his countrymen unequalled
perhaps in any previous presidential can
vass. Many incidents in the secret his
tory of the campaign of lS47 are yet to
be written. The dark and assassin-like
schemes of the administration at home to
disgrace and crush the Great Captain Of
the Age-its very deliverer from the diff
ficulties into which its own folly and wick
edness had lead it-are well known to the
people, and will be appreciated at the
proper time. But the many acts of sim
gle-hearted devotion TO the cause of his
beloved country, and the examples of high
souled honor and pure, disinterested pa
triotism displayed during these trying
times by the glorious old chief: have re-
manned hidden within his own breast, or
are known to but few, even of his most
intimate friends. Here is one incident
just brought to light:
GENERAL Scorr-AN OFFER DEcL1N-
ED.-The New Orleans Delta, an oppo-
sition paper, refers to fact, of which it
says it has been some time cognizant, that
General Scott, when in the city of Mexi-
CO, after its capture, was offered by sew
eral of the wealthiest citizens of the Mex
lean Republic to be made President of that
country; and as an inducement to the Of
fer, they bound themselves to settle upon
him the sum Of one million dollars. "The
splendid offer" says the Delta, "was de-
clined by the General. The brave old
soldier could not be tempted by such in
ducements to abandon the flag under which
he had achieved so much renown and
honor"
Seeing this paragraph going the rounds
of the press, the Washington correspond
ent of the New York Tribune takes &C.
casion to give the following as the correct
version of the historical fact, which ac-
count it is understood General Scott en-
dorses, and which also correspondent Of
the Galena Advertiser, signing hims ell
''E. B. W."-whom it is unnecessary If
this place to more clearly designate as one
Of the most noted citizens of Galena-
vouches for the truth of, as he says he
derived the information from Gen. Scot
himself. But let us have the Tribune:
account:
"a large portion of the forces under
Gen. Scott, you will recollect, enlisted fol
a specified time, or until the termination
of the war; consequently after the con.
quest of the city Of Mexico, and the end
of the hostilities, the military services Of
that portion of his army were no Longer
due or required. And you will also bea,
in mind, that at this particular time Pres
ident Polk and his Cabinet had caused the
arrest of the noble old Chieftain, deprived
him of his military authority, and sought
by a trial before military commission in
Mexico, to disgrace and degrade the Great
Captain of the Age, and the most trustful
among American Patriots.
"It was at this particular time, and un.
der these particular circumstances, that q
number Of the most wealthy and inAuen-
tial Mexicans, who were anxious to pre-
serve their country from further revolu-
tions, civil connections, anarchy and con-
fusion, made to Gen. Scott proposition
the fultilment thereof on their part to be
guaranteed by the British Government
and the proposition was this: He was t.
accept the command of the Mexican Army
for five ycars-accept the service of as
many of the American soldiers as would
enlist under him, and to be paid twelve
hundred and fifty thousand dollars, each
year, for five years-bcing six million twl
hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
''It was this magnificent proposition,
with the guaranty of the Agent of the
British Government in Mexico, that Gen
Scott promptly rejected-yes, rejected
promptly, when under arrest, deprived Of
his command, and when every scheme and
plot were embraced by his own Govern
ment Polk, Marcy & Co.. to degrade
and disgrace him. There were at the time
thousands of American soldiers i'll Mexico
whose term of service had expired, ant
who would have joyously enlisted under
the banner of this glorious and ever victo,
rious Chief; and had he been made of 'sucf
stuff as those in power, who were seek,
ing to dishonor him, quickly would he
have accepted the tempting offer. Bu
Winfield Scott has fought too many vic.
tories for the honor, glory and protection
of his own country and countrymen, to be
tempted eren, under any circumstances
and by any price, to sell his services te
others. L.. c."
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