Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-09-29
MAHLON DICKERSON.
Washingion, Feb. 1911, 1896.

Washington, Feb. 18Th, 1896.
MY Dear Sir: | have been prevented by va
REV of circumstances from replying to your
highly esteemed favor Of The 10Th, until this
moment.
Be assured, sir, that the interest you have ia
ken in my concerns, and the wishes and senti-
ments YOU express with regard to me, will ever
be borne in grateful and pleasing recollection;
the more so, as feel myself forced TO become
an exile from my country, and from service,
among the officers Of which there is but one
who has served as long as myself Com. Rod
gers was the first Lieutenant, and was the first
MidshDman, who entered the present Navy,
and we served together on board the FIRST irl-
gate that was launched.
Should / determine on accepting the COM
mand offered me in the Mexican Navy, beg
you 10 be assured that | shall do so under the
most thorough conviction, that should fail In
my duty to myself and my country, were to
decline it.
Resentment for the past. as some have con-
iectured,) will have nothing>to do with my de-
termination. 1t is true, feel that have been
harshly dealt with; and ii is true, that | am al
most every day made to feel that am not yet
restored to the good will and confidence OF the
Executive. What is past, can forgive. The
evils of the day, | can bear; but | have the ut
most dread of the future. | feel that | have no.
thing to look for from the Government during
the present administration, but contumeiy and
neglect. And seeing that there is no control
ing or protecting power to whom l can look
for redress, cannot bear the idea Of remaining
in situation to be again exposed to treatment,
similar 10 that which have already experien-
ced from the Government.
have met with much sympathy from my
fellow citizens in general, many OF whom be-
leve that am an injured man, and many gen
tlemen in Congress have assured me, that
should receive from that body protection. TO
this end, an Intellectual call has been made on
the Executive for information.
feel grateful for the sympathy of my fellow
and to those in Congress who wished
to protec, me, but neither the one nor the other
have been able to relieve me for the present, or
give me hopes of security for the future. The
punishment to which | was sentenced, and
which have borne without murmuring, has
passed off without any abatement wha.ever.-
The Executive has been influenced neither by
the voice of the one, nor the call Of the other,
but to the last, has manifested rancour which
has been increased by every expression OF the
good will of others towards me. This feeling,
which has been bequeathed from one Admins
tration to the other, may remain to my preJu-
dice, an heirloom in the Government, at least
as long as can feel an interest N the events OF
his life And under these circumstances, it
would, conceive, be but useless waste of my
time, as well as a voluntary submission to de-
graduation, were to remain longer in the Unit
ed States Navy, if can find honorable and use
ul employment in that Of Mexico.
Let those who would reprove me for leaving
my country to embark in the service of for
eign nation, reflect that l but pursue my voca-
lion. If cannot find employment from the
Government here, where can look for it in this
country? My life has been spent in the Navy,
have no other profession, and am too far adj
ganced to learn new one. The command lem
lered 10 me is the most honorable that can be
offered 1t is the communicated Of the Ma
Wy of young and prosperous Republic, in ami
" with the United States, actuated by the same
feelings and interests, and struggling as she
has done against despotism, for the establish
disgrace in the act, reflect on the unparalleled
IOUOFS WHICH tllty ldfC USolOfS0, iSdDtu
On Lafayette for doing the same thing. Why
should be disgraced by what was considered
20 honorable in him, De Aalb, Kosciusko, Steu-
ben, &c SC? Why is it more disgraceful in
ne to accept the invitation of the Government
IF Mexico, than in Gen. Bernard to accept that
If the Governpent of the United States? We
Ill acknowledge the value of his services to this
country; and hope and trust Mexico will ex-
oerience equal benefit from mine, should &C
;ept her offer.
The profession Of arms has never been deem
ID dishonorable, and whether go to learn it
Or to teach it, malignity only can find cause to
,ensure me.
l have served my country with fidelity, my
country has treated me with more than kind
hess. She has estimated my poor exertions far
beyond their value. shall ever feel grateful
or the interest she has manifested for me, and
he praise she has bestowed. 1t will be Sc
'eie struggle to separate mysele from such a
country.
Until recently, have had the happiness to
pass through my official life with the entire ap-
probation of the Government of that country