Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-08-10

operated, / should have risked the
consequences Of battle. and those
officers would have had an oppnrtuni-
ty of proving by their deeds the yalar
which has been only manifested by
their words.
Under the circumstances which,
existed after the enemy landed. and
no information having been obtained
from Macarthur and Cass, I deter.
mined to send flag of truce, open a
treaty, and accept the best terms
which could be obtained. For this
purpose, I authorized two commits
sioners, colonies Miller and Brush,
to negotiate ON the subject.
By the articles Of capitulation, pro-
lection and safety were secured to
the Inhabitants of Michigan in their
persons and property. All the mill
ira both of Michigan and Ohio re.
turned immediately to their home
and mono were retained as prisoners,
exceptingthe few regulars, consisting
then Of little over two hundred. This
measure, under the circumstances,
was dictated in my opinion by sense
of duty, and attended with Tess pub
lie calamity than any other which
could have been adopted. and 1 was
willing to assume, and ia my official
communication to the government,
took tho whole responsibility of it on
myself. IL required more firmness
and independence than any other act
Of my life-it was dictated by my
best Judgment and a conscientious
regard to what / believed to be my
duty, and / now sincerely rejoice,
and there never has been moment
that have not pejoiced, notwith-
standing all l have suffered, that |
dared thus independently to do my
duty. Had thatContest continued, e.
very moment would have been attend
ed with greater disasters, and | avail
ed myself Of the only measure in my
power to pat an end to such catami-
ties. In the capitulation fmade M
provision for myself, and was order
ed to Montreal an unconditional prf-
soner. A provision was made for all
the officers and soldiers Of the militia
and they Immediately returned to
their homes. Col. Cass taking adj
vantage of my situation after the in
diligence I had procured for him,
proceeded directly to Washington,
where he was most graciousiy receiv.
ed by the administration. and then
presented an account of tho campaign
before it had been possible for me to
have made any communication. This
letter. written by himself, giving
particular details Of events, of which
he had no knowledge, as he was alb
sent when they took place, was re-
ceived by the administration and pab.
Iished as an official account in all the
newspapers throughout the U.States.
Search, fellow citizens, the annals Of
history, and, am persuaded. such
an outrage cannot be found While !
was a prisoner, my other effirers. for
whose Iiber alton ! had provided in
the treaty, followed colonel Cass to
Washington, and seeing the tavours
and patronage he bad received by
his representation, initiated his ex-
ample, and were not disappointed III
their rewards.
From one end Of the continent to
the other, the same newspapers
which had published Cass's letter,
were filled with series Of the most
scandalous falsehoods to excite your
resentment against me, and before l
was exchanged, and yet prisoner,
the plot, which was unfoIded in my
goth number, by the letter of the Sc.
cretary Of War to Gen. Dearborn,
was sealed for my final destruction.
As soon as Gen. Dearborn could
make arrangements fer my exchange.
I was arrested, capital charges were
preferred against me, and court
martial was ordered to assemble at
Philadelphia for my trial. of which
mai. gen. Wade Hampton was ap-
pointed the president. In conformity
to the orders of the President, [ ap-
peared, ready for my trial. But
without any reason being assigned.
fb;o court martial wac dissnlyed i'm