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

periencs, and many Of them deeply
interested in the event Of The trial.
and had nothing to recommend
them bat the patronage and promo
ton they had received Immediately
after my unfortunate campaign, but
previously to their appearing to tes-
tify against me. i
The Court Martial of which General |
Dearborn was President, was selected
The 9TH day Of November, 1873, during
the Administration of John Armstrong
over the Department Of War. and this
court was not dissolved until the last o.
March. or the beginning OF April. 1917.
Thus was established a new military
precedent, and it must be recorded 10
the history Of our country, thas Inc
commands In chief of the American
army, at most orltical period OF the
war. for about four moths. reiinqulsh-
cd his high dutis. as commanding Ge'
neral, and performed subordinate du-
ties on a Court Martial, to which the
VOC COST General in the army was com
petent. The question will naturally a.
rise, what motives could have induced
unprecedented an arrangements A
constant correspondence was kept up
between the Court Martial and the Sec
rotary Of War. and directions were Civ.
| en- respecting tho manner of proceeding.
See appendix to my trial. page go. In
| some of the public newspapers, it is
said, am ungrateful for the lenity
which Mr.. Madison, the President. has
shown me. AS never asked him or
the Court Martial for mercy, but only
| Justice, l cannot feel under any obliga'
ton to either. The truth is, fellow-oi.
tizeas, tho administration we'll knew
your independent spirit and sense Of
! right, and dared not execute that SEN
tence, which injustice had pronounced.
The Secretary was the same John Arm
| strong, who has the reputation Of hav.
| ing commence ed his career At Newburg,
in 1888, and ended il at Bladensburg,
| in 1914. The two events here alluded
10. ara we'll known, and must make a
| part Of tha history of our csuntry.-
The one will do tho highest credit to
| the virtue g. unshaken patriotism Of the
| revolutionary army, in resisting most
| artful and insidious attempt to induce
them to turn those arms against their
country which had been employed 10
| acquiring it's independence. The other
| must stand as monument Of disgrace
to those to whom the protection of the
country was entrusted, and particular
w to the officer at the bead Of the De-
par.ment of War, at whose disposal
was placed the forces and means of ma
tioRal safety.
After I received the order to invade
the enemy's terrisoy. all the operations
were entrusted to my discretion. This
discretion was exercised according to
nay best judgment. The dictates Of
duty alsne Influenced my conduct
Had consulted my feelings alone, and
not been guided by this principle, !
should have pursued very different
course. To perform what then be-
| lieyed and now believe TO have been my
daty, IL was necessary to call into ex.
ercise more frmaess and more energy,
.hao on any other occasion during my
life. If it will be any sa,isfaetion>to
my enemies, am now willing to &C
knowledge, that l dare not do that
which my best Judgment and duty for
bid. Considerations Of personal fame,
compared to duty. were as feather in
one scale to Q mountain IN the other.
My respect, fellow.citizens, for your
discernment and judgment. induces me
to leave the application of the facts and
evidence, contained in the preceding
numbers, to your own deliberations
With sincere thanks for the candor
which has been already manifested, |
am. with affection and respect, your
| fellow citizen. VILLA IA HULL.