Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-09-10
BALTIMORE, Sept.&
Letter Of the Secretary of War,
e7'o yas EDlTos'so OF rxE B4L11Moss "a

~ -
Gro xas EDi4os's OF rxE BAL11MoRs "a.
7RIor.l
It may be due TO and is certainly due to 9TH
srs, tnat th reasons under which retired from the
d'rcc,'os OF the War Department. at iuncture so
critical as the present. should be folly and prompt
" known To the public. ----Thesc reasons will be
found IN fhe following brief exposition OF facts.
On the evening Of the 29th ultimo, the President
called at ny lodgings, aud stated that case of much
deiieacy had occurred that high degree OF ex.
citernent had been rased among the Mi.tia Of the
psret; shat he was himself object Of their sus-
Tneions and menaces; that Officer of that corps
had gwen a m notice, that they would no longer
obey any order Coming through me RS Secretary OF
War and that ia the urgency OF the case, it might
be prudent so far to yield to ths Impulse, a, to
permit some other person to exercise my tuucI ons
IN feation to the defence af the District
10 this statement aud proposition, 1 answered
substantially as follows--rhat was awars OF the
excitement 10 which he alluded, that knew its
sources and had marked its progress; that the pre-
sent was not moment 10 examine IT'S more occult
causes OBJECTS and agents; tnat ostensibly rested
OIL charges known to himself TO be false that il was
notior mo to determine how tar the supposed ur-
gency OF The case isads II proper for him TO yield
to an IMPULSE so vile aod ppo6ate-so ini,lious 10
roth and 30 destructive oil order; but that ios nv.
seit, there v as no choice that could never sur
reuder part OF my legitimate authority, for tie
preservation OF tie rest-ihat 1 must esercie il
wholly or not at all that came into Office, With
objects exclusively public snd that 10 accomino-
date my principles or my couduet 10 tue bniro,,rs
a Village mob, stimulated by faction and led by
ROXY was not shs way to promote these, and thst
al his decision was taken in conformity 70 the am
gcssivns he mad made, enrea 90 him to aee,,.,
ray f<stsnaiiyi lsis he dess ed asann. II was q,
Ss.-s - -. = -.s. o. s-Airk ~ .a..e,,
nct 10 go; tnst he kneS the excitement AZ i,,ni,
ed, asweIl with regard time as 10 Mace: rb;,t
be was Low, atd lad al~ Us been, ft.iy sensible of
the general Zeal, disenee and talent which had
pun into The d'schsrse o. duty, aud that ii would
give hiia pleasure, were to take time to
his propusition. renewed the assurance of INV
great personai respect, and my readiness 10 con.
TORN 10 his wishes on AL proper Occasions -i Re
marked, that whatever zeal, diligSute and talent
possessed, had been employed freely but firmly,
and according TO my best views OF the pubic good
aud that as long as they left 10 be so exered
they were 1t the service OF my oountry---but tai
the moment H,ey were made to bow 10 military u
hurp onn or political faction, shere should be "a
e1d 10 ti,earpuDc cxercise. We now parted ont !,
su unde. standing tina lsh ,uid iea Wash NO, M q
ioIawing nornins.
II has s.uce been sta to me as fact, TO which
give ths nost reluctant belief) thai on tile morn
ing OF the 2yt, AMI before my arrival IN the ci,v
committee OF the inhabitants of t.or,,etnSn ~
whom AieSsaJer q IA inson, E,iito: OF Tie FetIe-
raj RepnDnc n, was Que, had waited on The. Pres-
sent, cy aepnsaitsn, and had obtained from him
ptoniisc, that should no longer direct nh. militia
~ def-ncss ofthe District. On tl,is fact ali com.
iuentary IS Buuecessarg.
LIZ but remains 10 exhibit and 10 answer the sew
erai charges raised against nue. and which form the
sroundwois oil that excitement, to wheh The Pre-
s'uent mas deemed IL prudent IN sacrifice his ar-
thorty, IA declining TO support nine fhey ale as
| feI;ows, viz.
LIST. ihat (iron ill-wll to the District Of Coluro
| t's, aud design 70 remove the seat OF govern
Iaent) gave oittets Tor tile reat Of the army ~,
the affair OF the Oath ult. under circumstances pa
| making retreat necessary proper.
| his charge has MOI TOR it's support the shadow
OF truth. The commanding general viii 20 me The
A tfaat ~ 40 fI..sr
!nsuge 70 Say, ,ha' gave h,m 10 such order, and
4 tat he was and is under theeim preston, thai te
retreat DiNde CARRIER than belle ye, it Ia M,
! proper. To the President appeal ~he her did
not point out the disorder aud retreat Of part OF
toe hrsl inc, soon alter the action began, x sig.
| inst'ze it as base aud infamous.
I'd Il hat, ia spite Of the remoastrsnoes Of Gen.
| Wnder, and by the interpretation OF my autsority
1 had prevented lam from defending the Capital
| h's s"Tss oont.ins ~ IT /" tot-! persersion OF
truth.----Wh-n the head 4 the retiring coilrnn,
reached the Capital, IL was halted Tor a moment,
| Gen. Wipder here took occasion 10 state to co.
! Monroe and my sell, that lac was not In condition.
to aaiDtau aaother conflict aud that his force was
broksl down By fatigue aad diJpersion.-----U nder
this Representation, We united 10 opinion, that he
! should proceed to occupy the heights VI George.
| town
I'd. Tint had withdrawn the covering party
| from the rear OF Washington, and has, ordered
! Captain Dyson 20 blow up tie fort vahoat firing
! gun.
This charge is utterly devoid OF truth. The Coz
VERNE party wSs withdrawH W an order from Gen.
| Wndei, aud Capt. Dyson'S official report shews.
that the orders under Which be sced, were derived
! IRON tie same source, though, doubt, misssa.-
| ken or misrepresentsd.
| 4th. That by my orders, The Navy Yard had been
burned. lhls, Ike It's predecessors, is positive
1 fIlsclfoodL
pereeting that no order was taken for spprisiue
4 Commodore tIDgsy Of the retreat OF the arrny,
sent "a gor Be O. communicate the f,ct and Ia
say, that the Navy yard eOHld no logger be cover.
cd. The ComDsdute al course was left 10 foilo~
tho suggestions u as own miod, or to obey tina on
ders, II ord~s bad been given, Of the May De-
partroent.
4 9th, and lastly--That means had not been taken
4 TO collect force sufficient for the occasion.
1 As the subject Of this charge may very soon be-
cotne ONE OF congregational enquiry, shalt &C pre-
| ssnt e AXE but ~ remarks
LEI. Ihst no means witiu reach of the Mar Dc