the ordinary courts of the country, shall nowhere and in no degree be interrupted by any officer or soldier of the American forces except, first, in case where an officer or soldier, agent, servant, or follower of the army may be a party; and second, in political cases—­that is, prosecutions against other individuals on the allegation that they have given friendly information, aid, or assistance to the American forces.

  “14.  For the care and safety of both parties in all cities and towns
  occupied by the American army, a Mexican police shall be established
  and duly harmonized with the military police of said forces.

“15.  This splendid capital, its churches and religious worship, its convents and monasteries, its inhabitants and property, are, moreover, placed under the special safeguard of the faith and honor of the American army.

“16.  In consideration of the foregoing protection, a contribution of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars is imposed on this capital, to be paid in four weekly installments of thirty-seven thousand five hundred dollars each, beginning on Monday next, the 20th inst., and terminating on Monday, October 11th.

  “17.  The Ayuntamiento, or corporate authority of the city, is
  specially charged with the collection and payment of the several
  installments.

“18.  Of the whole contribution to be paid over to this army, twenty thousand dollars shall be appropriated to the purchase of extra comforts for the wounded and sick in hospital, ninety thousand dollars to the purchase of blankets and shoes for gratuitous distribution among the rank and file of the army, and forty thousand dollars reserved for other necessary military purposes.

“19.  This order shall be read at the head of every company of the
United States forces serving in Mexico, and translated into Spanish
for the information of the Mexicans.

“By command of Major-General Scott.

“H.L.  SCOTT,

“Acting Assistant Adjutant General.”

“HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, NATIONAL PALACE OF MEXICO,

“September 18, 1847.

“GENERAL ORDERS NO. 289.

“1.  The army by degrees, and beginning as soon as practicable, will
be distributed and quartered over the city as follows: 

“2.  The first division (Worth’s) in or near the direct route from the San Cosme toward the cathedral and extending a little beyond the east end of the Alameda.  This division will keep a competent guard with two guns of medium caliber at that gate.

  “3.  The second division (Twiggs’s) about the Grand Plaza and
  extending toward the gate of San Lazaro, or the Penon, at which it
  will keep a guard and two pieces of artillery, as above.