Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-12-22


any order OF the war department, unless
coming through him as the proper organ
Of communications" shall not stop Ia
examine the business of preiensien, SUI
perlatively absurd and ridiculous on its
face. Iprotesi discern no adequate mo-
tive to account for it, Was il pcrversc-
ness or piid ! or 'si!iiar, etiquette? oI
did the gen 'ral design This order, To pre-
serve by way Of continual claim, his in
dependence OF, or rather his ascendant
over his lawful superiOrs IL such were
iiiedrsign. il has, ioraughi weknow, com
pleteiy succeeded. | havekeard, that tins
contest for supremacy has been adjusted
TO the satisfaction of the executive. !
know that no atonemcut has been made
for the insult and injury To the nation.
The dignity of the government is "a part
Of us authority with Which il is clothed,
as with all the rest, not for sthe personal
advantage "a honor of ministers, but for
The public good.
ask your attention now, sir, 10 The
events Of the present year. Gen. Jack
son being again ordered 10 assume the
command OF our southern army in person,
aud to chastise aud curb The Semiuolcs,
the State Of Georgia was doomed 10 be-
held his presence in the field. The con-
siitution of the u. States expressly re-
serves 10 the state governments, The ap-
poinfment of the officers OF their respcc-
tive militia; and the constitution of Geor-
gia, Nike the constitutions or laws of exc
nv other State in lie UmioD appoints The
Governor, er-c6fcio, commander in
chief cf its forces, regular ard militia.
Ii is an authority, indeed, essential to the
existence of the state Sovcrcigpties, and
10 the integrity Of our system. To the
establishment el the nation, General Jack
son declares that his command virtually
suspends The constitution of Georgia, in
respect 10 the military authority OF it's
executive al least and in what other re-
spects, we shall know when occasions
shall occur. as in Louisiana, 10 develop
the full extent at his professions. Govern
or iIabun had issued an order 10 II militia
officer, never doubling, dare saw, his
own constitutional and lawful power. The
order aas most vilely abused. General
Jackson, not content with assuming The
power of redressing The abuse Uor that
was AN uSnrpation,) questions and denies
The authority of the order itself. In his
letter of May z, 1913, he tells Governor
Rahun, in plain terms" You, sir, as Go
vernon of STATE within my military di-
vision, have no RICH. 10 give military
order while am in the field" Be
hold, sir, the monstrOus consequences OF
this broad and apprehension, if il should
obtain Should an insurreciion occur in
any of the states belonging 10 Ac diUiSion
IF the South, while Gen. Jackson is in the
field, the Governor ot the stale, and OF
course every inferior officer Of the militia
msst patiently endure the horrors of a
servile war. ill his high behests can b
known! Sir, cannot repress the senii-
ment of establishment feel, that the ie-
glslaturc or the representatives OF Geor-
gla IN Congress, have not demanded his
immediate arrest and trial.
But i'm truth, sir, we have The best rea
son for believing that in General Jack
sons opinion, whenever he is at the head
of an army, all the powers of every branch
OF our governments, state and federal,
are suspended or transferred 10 him.
His Instructions for The conduct of the
war against The Seminoles may he gather
ed from tlie Presidents late message 10
Congress: he vas authorised to pursue
The savage enemy into the Spanish terri
tory, it he should take refuge there, TAX.
ing care not 10 encroach on the rights oil
Spain. According 10 the laws of nations
II ls absolutely unlawful 10 attack an enc.
VI
any other hostility; but If neutral afford
a retreat TO one belligerenr, and allow
bim ilmo 10 recover, and watcI favora.
bic opportunity OF renewing his attack on
the territories Of the other, HAT Other
may march into the neutral territory in
quest of his enemy. The orders wh.ci
we're given 10 General Jackson Gas TN.
dersiand ihem} authorised him 10 carry
war INTO Florida against the Seninolrs
but not 10 commit hostility against The
subjects OF Spain aud his correspon
dence sbcws, that he himself understood
them III The same light. acqut The Elk.
ecutive, therefore, of Dtendnga violation
"l ihe constitution, in waging war with.
out previous declaration OF II BIZ Con.
gress. Tie merits of General Jack sons
conduct may be stated in a few words
DisregardIng his orders, usurDing the
powers oi Congress, which alone by 1uu
constitution is capable of declaring war
lie took 81. Marks by assault, and Peusa.
cola by capiiulaiion; the first on the 9Th
OF April, and the latter on the 27ih oil
May. Whether in the interval of tiiIy
days which elapsed between the seizure
OF The two posts, the Executive had iime
to get intelligence Of his proceedings. and
send new orders 10 the General? whether
" dId send him such orders anti " he
iher he was instructed 10 persist in or 10
iorbsar further aggressions against Spain
are questions, which well deserve solu
ton, but which are not to be discussed in
HE actual state Of the information before
The public. This only we know, thai iltc
President, while 10 preserve peaceful re-
latIons with Spain, lie disavows General
Jacksoms proceedings, al The same time
excuses aud applauds that officer himself
for these very ac.s. Whether the circuni-
stances, which came 10 General Jackson.
knowledge. during tIe campaign, would