Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-04-10
FaoM TIE FREDER1cKTowN HERALD.
COL. BUFFERS TRIAL.
DEFENCE.
Mr.. Ptxfasss, and
G<allsmtn eftbe Csx,t-.-
(Continued.)
.(Continued.1

for that purpose by the General, ne has re-
minded us of fact, which may serve
stronglv.to confirm what I.hape already adj
vanced. Imean where be remarks that
: the measure has been sanctioned by the
first n1iiitary-characterS and recommended
by the ATTEST generals who have lived. -
True! for not only the hrstaailitary cha
racter. but the first character who has ever
lived. I believe once sanctioned similar
measure: that is, ii recollect right, our
revered Washington at some period OF the
revolutionary war once reconame'ldea to the
troops to have their hair cut, do not pre-
cisely remember on what account, but we
may be sure it was on a proper and expedl-
ent one. But General Washington did not
pretend to any thing more than to recon-
sncaG; he did not affect to issue any posi-
tive order for this. measure, nor did he ever
arrest any officer, AID assemble court
martial to try him for aisobedienec. Yet
with all due Difference, Ipresume'itno dis
paragenent to believe, that no man surely
ever had abetter understanding OF his own
duty and powers, that no man ever knew
better how to perform the orc and excr-
ciseethe other, and that in a right sense OF
his own true dignity Of character he can
not even at this time be surpassed. An
irresistible Inference then arises, particu-
larly considering the urgency of that crisis,
that the immortal hero and honored patri-
OF. whose soul now rests in Heaven, but
whose memory will ever live, and whose
faithful judgment will ever be respected,
did not himself conceive that commander
had a right to enjoln any order for that
purpose, except such as was merely recon-
mendafory. And it is in this light at best
and in none more strong that we can now
possibly consider the order of, the 3oih A.
pril, 1901. As a recommendation order,
therefore, it becomes one about which eve
nv officer was at liberty to use his own dis
cretion; which at pleasure he might or
might not regard according to his ownfeel-
inqs. the sentiment and circumstances that
peculiarly influenced him and for a non
compliance with which he is answerable to
himself, but cannot possibly be punishable
as for diso6odience, since a refusal to pursue
a mere recommendation is neither in fact
ner in contemplation of military law any
diSobed;ence at all. In this opinion you
must pardon me, gentlemen, for imagining
that the general has. 100 much intelligence
rot sincerely TO agree with us. You must
pardon me for suggesting that he ;has ra-
Their betrayed the same opinion both in the I
time and manner of my arrest, and In the
formation of the additional charges present
ed against me. Two years had elapsed
since the date of this order when he tho't
fit to revive the subject and for the first
time as it respected me to dictate Acquires
cence. But as ! did not conceal my de-
termination on this head, mistrustful proba-
bly of his authority to subdue that determi-
nation, or perhaps well knowing that he re-
ally had no such authority, there might be
the greater necessity to cali in the aid of o.
ther complaints, and to hold overIn fan
cied rod of terror speciously applied as
from a difficult. extensive and remote field
of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS combined influence
of which it lnightbe calculated would effect
that obedience to the order IN view, which
the want of legal svalldity In th order ITSELF
had not been able to effect. | do not I'M.
peach the JUST of, this policy, and still less
would venture to reflect ON Its mover I:
But barely mention it to you as a pro5a-
bic truth, from which you are capable Of
drawing yonr own deductions. If such
was the policy, however, gentlemen, as it
did not then succeed OH me, SO hope nov
after careful scruticy of ny conduct ar
raigned in the other specifications no rea-
son Will be left why it should succeed with
you. To that scru,lny will.sgIy submit
myself, not with fear and trembling, gen