Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-04-10

had then attained, some little reputation
for temper and moderation began TO be au
object Of has consideration, however they
might he disregarded by his opponent. In
fact, it did not once seriously occur to him,
that the courage of either could lie put in
question and, therefore, he found himself
perfectly at liberty TO consult his sense OF
justice and propriety, rather than his pas
sions. Yet be understands, that. ON this
point, general Jackson shrugs his shoulders
and looks mysteriousIy, whilst he suffers
his minions to tlatter him, that be has OBJ
tanned triumph Miserable vanity! Most
puerile and unworthy conceit! A triumph
over the fears of general Scott The lat
ter does not doubt the courage Of general
Jackson, yet he might enumerate several
affairs, in any one Of which, he was, prob
ably, exposed to greater personal danger
than general Jackson has encountered in
his whole military career. And here let
him not be called fool for Boosting )" for
he may say with one of the greatest men,
"mine enemy hath forced me TO H." But
is it boast, in an American, to assert his
indifference TO personal danger? General
Scott has commanded some thousands OF
his countrymen at different times, and does
not remember three individuals among
them, who were deficient in that almost
universal attribute.
But the foregoing letter has been repre-
sented as a challenge, and the reply to il
non-acceptance-oa The groand of rsliglons
scruples. The double felsehood viii not
escape the reader, allho' it Be true, that &C.
neral Scott, IN a playful hurEour, chose to
treat the letter a. a challenge. And as to
the other point, however repugnan, 10 bis
principles, it may be, "to Go a contrived
murder" either under forms, or in viola
tea Of them; or by his OWE voluntary seek.
ing-geucrar Scott, wheneyerhe shall think
it necessary, viii be as free to defend his
reputation against calumny, as he would
be TO Stay robber who should attempt his
life on The highway. He knows OF no code
of morals which would disarm him in Ell
Their case, nor does the promise in the fol-
lowing letter; toras that was made without
consideration, so may it be Withdrawn,
without explanation orapo!ogy.
Letter ".
GENERAL SCOTT TO GENERAL JACKSON.
Head Quarters, Ist and Sd lEiilcry De-
pdrtmeatS.
.Nels- York, january end, 1918.
Sic,
Your letter of the Sd uItimo, was hand
ed to me about the 2ed, and has no. been
read, | might ain. ST say thought Of, since.
These circumstances will show that it is
my wish to reply to you IispassionateIy.
regret that cannot accept the ehal-
Ienge you offer me. Perhaps may be re-
strained from wishing to level a pistol at
the breast Of fellow being, in private COM
bat, by sense of religion; bu, lest this
motive should excite the ridicu!e of gen
tlemen of liberal habits OF thinking and act
ing, | beg leave to add, that | decline the
honor of your invitation from patriotic scru-
pies. My ambition is not that Of Erostra-
tus. should think it would be easy Tor
you to console yourself under this refusal,
by the application o, a few epithets, as
coward, Sc. TO the object of your resent
menl, aid here promise 10 leave you I'M
til the next war, to persuade yourself of
their truth,
Your famous order bears date the o2nd
April, 1917. AT intervals of three oT four
months thereaiter-that is, when it had
been officially published to tie troops of
your division, and printed in almost every
paper in the Union---as if 10 challenge dis
CUSTOM found myself in company where
it was the subject of conversation. Not
being under your command, was as free
to give my opinion on that public act as any
one else Tor | presume you will not assert
that where an officer is not expressly re-
strained by the military code, he has not
all the rights OF any other citizen. For
this fair expression Of opinion, on princi-
pal as universal as the profession OF arms
and which opinion afterwards, at your IN
stance, stated to you in all itydctail, you
arc pleased TO charge me with having SLAM
dered you behind your back! an accusa-
ton, which consider the more amusing,
as never had the honor Of being in your
presence in all my life | can assure you,