Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-12-02

Plattsburg.
canfonment, Platfsburg N5usniber IS, 1873
TO HIS EXCELI.ENCY
MARTIN CHITTENDEN, ESQ
Governor, Captain General aud Commander in Chief,
in and over the state of Vermont.
a most novel and extraordinary Proclamation from,
your excelency, ordering and directing such portion
OF the militia OF the third Brigade in the third division of
the militia OF Vermont, doing duty in the state of
New-Yurk, both officers and men, forthwith to return
to the respective places of their residence has lust
been communicated to the undersigned officers of said
brigade. measure so unexampled requires we sho,id
state to your exceency the which induce us alb
solutey aud positively to refuse obedience to the order
contained IN your exceliency Proclamation. With due
difference TO your excellencYs opinion, humbIy CON
ceVei that when we ordered into the service of the
United States, il becomes duty when REQUIRED 90
march to the defence Of any section of the union We
are not OF that class who believe that our duties as c
zens or soldiers are crcunscribed wi;hn the narrow IL
mits OF the town state in which we reside but that
we are under paramount obligation to our country 70
the great contederacy of We further conceive
that while we are in actual service and during the ne
Rod for which ordered into service yoar ex-
celencys power US, Governor Of the state of
Vermont is suspended.
1t is true as your excelency states that we arc out
OF the jurisdiction or control of the Executive of Ver
mont" we would ask from whence your EScellsncv de
rVes the right, presunes exercise the power of
ordering us TO return from the service in which we are
now eDgagedI il we legally ordered into the SER
vice OF the United States, your Excelency must be SEN
sble that you have authority TO order us out of ta
service. II illegally ordered into the service
our continuance in it is either voluntary or compulsory
IL voluntary gives no one right to demonstrate or
complaint it compulsory, can appeal 10 the laws Of
our country tor redress against those who illegally re.
strain US OF our liberty. IN either case we canHot DER
ceye the right your Exceency has TO interfere in the
business Viewing the subject in this light we conceive
1t duty to declare unequivocally to your cxcecncv
that shall not obey your excelencys order for re-
rDiog bat shall Continue in the service of orr country
until VIC are legally and honorably discharged An in
vitaton or order to desert the standard Of our
Will never be obcyed by although proceeds from
TIE Governor aud Captain General Of Vermont.
Perhaps 1t IS proper that should content ourselves
with merely giving your EXcellency the reasons which
prevailed upon 20 disregard your proclamation; but
we impressed with the belief that our duty 20 our.
selves to the soldiers under command and TO tine
public, require that should expose to the world the
motives which produced, and the objects which were
intended to be accomplished by such an eztraordi.
nary proclamation. We shall take the liberty to state
to your eXcellency plainly, sentiments this SUBJ
ject.
We consider your proclamation as a gross insult to
che officers and soldiers in service nasmuch as il i'm
plies that they gnoraNt of their rights as 70 be-
lieve you have authority TO Command them in their pre-
sent situation, or so abandoned follow your nsd
advice We cannot regard your proclamation in a.
ny other light than an understandable stretch Of ex
ecutve authority, issued the worst of motives 20
effect the basest OF purposes. II is, in our opinion
renewed instance of that spirit Of disorg and
anarchy which Is carried on by faction 10 overwhelm
our country with ruin and disgrace We cannot see
what other object your excelency could have in view
than to embarrass the operations Of the army excite
mutny among the soldiers and induce them to desert
that they might forfeit the wages TO which they are en-
titled for their patriotic services.
We have however, the satisfaction to inform your eS
celency, that although your proclamatons have been
distributed among the soldiers BY your agent delegated