Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-10-07


or the most sacred engagements fulfilled
One great cause oftalure may be ira.
ced 10 an entire want Of contidtnce i'm the
commanding Goncral.lt is with ex-
,reme diiiidence and reluctance that the
humble and unknown author of this mar
raiiye undertakes To drraign the militia
~ character OF an officer whose name
has resounded over two hemispleres.
BIt he will not shrink from Responsible
lily which justice and truth demand.
For many days after the capture of tie
Island, no measures were taken bv the
General la render it secure. Elaiod by
The iaclilty witt, which he had attained lis
irsi object, he seemed 10 have forgotten
That amy thing mere remained 10 be done.
And II was not until repeatedly remind
Ell and urged by his officers of its abso.
l,ite necessity that the army was Motif
cd OF the military code which was To re-
Srlate us conduct, or any attempt made
- reduce TO order and discipline The ir-
r,yular and heterogeneous mass which
composed it-who bound for no specific
term of service, were with difficulty held
together or restrained by their officers
rof'n,teerS ut n,U, they considered them
selves at liberty To retire from The service
III any tune, rs interest or caprice might
ticiatc Surround by difficulties, from
the uionneut OF his arrival upon The Is
land, the General never consulted or
counselcd with his oificeys-aud any
propositions proceeding from them were
treated, sometimes with contempiuous
silence, 81 others with sarcastic le,ily-
now, their resentment il excited by his
naughty and Insulting .mcanor-noH,
they are disgustedb by his vulgar and low
bred "a m iIiavIfy
The cause of this variable department
Is left 10 conjecture. 1t was of nature,
however, which produced the deepest
modification and regret among those who
had committed themselves TO the gui-
dance of a man who could be thus inilu-
enced. Nor were these feelings lessened
III their force, from the consideration that
this individual possessed and exercised
absolute powers both in the civil and mi
Hilary departments, without limitation,
accountability, or control. In conse-
.iuence OF this state of things, several Of
GERS retired from the service, and others
were looking oat for a ut character 10 I'LL
that office, Which they believed TO be in
unworthy and incapable hands. To
those, Col. Posey cauie recommended, not
only as next in command, but from the
univ ersal esteem III which he was held
feet, and he was entreaied 10 supply the
place of the then commanding General
A nobleness and generosity of soplof
which there are few examples, would
not consent TO supplant man under
whose authority he had engaged to
serve. Not that he was insensible to this
mans incapacity, or felt the dis8ppoint-
ment which this conviction produced less
keeniy than oihers-bu, because he be
licyed his honor to be in some measure
pledged 10 hItIregOr, and at all events
dill not choose oeNpose lis own con-
duct To misconception or ceusurc. He
was, however, strongly convinced Of the
necessity OF imposing some check upon
tie overgrown aud despOtic pow ers ofthe
Commander-And with the concurrence
and aid OF some of his confidential
friends, had prepared apan for this pur-
p0sc, W hich was only postponed 10 the
arrival OF the n. York expedition. Re
peate,l letters were received from the
gentlemen in that City, naming now this
day. now that, when the feet which was
70 convey powerful and efieciual rein
fnrcements wou,d certainly sail and sta
iipg that this event had been delayed OIL
Is by the increase Of means, which would
cxcee,i the most sangulne expectations
Of those concerned. Supported by the
hopes which these oft repeated asSu-
RANGES were calculated 10 inspire-tlse
Patriots at Amelia held ont for two long
months under circumstance thcmost dis
Coufaging and alarming. Their ranks
daily t.l!nned by disease, death, and de-
scriion-untii thirty efficient soldiers
were not lett on the Islaud-the leader
Of ilie expedition possessed OF the conf
deace and esteem ofscarcely one iudivi-
Gual-otiicers dislrusiiul and jealous -
prvates dissatisfied, insubordinate, and
eisoderlv nothing done 10 strengthen
the works OH the Island, although the
general efien declared that with his know
ledge of Sortiication he could render
{ EN- impreguabic. His officers looked
III vain for display of those quai.tie
which they expectedfo find in Chief
s, renowned, or of that practicable in
formation on military subjects, which u
long course of service must have enabled
ann t. acquire.
In this state OF almost inter hopeless
ness months were consumed, when about
the latter end of August, accounts are re-
ceived THAT the Morglana lad certainly
sailed with supplies OF men, arms, money
aud provisions. This news re animated
tue almost extingnished spirits of the Pa
trots and IN few days was followed by
the arrival of this much desired vessel.
The Morgianai is in sight The Morgia-
ia has crossed the bar! was resounded
from all parts. And when she dropped
her anchor, AN universal burst OF Joy and
cougratulation gave notice OF the event.
But this exultafiOn was OF short duration.
TIE long expected Argo had indeed arny-
ed. but brought M golden fleece. II WAS
with the utmost establishment discovered,
49, Il al i.s.r rrapss-
Inent and will only 25 men; and that al
thouph her rms and arms v0itId follow