Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-10-30

il is difficult TO the force of such an gumenl;
ON any ground whatever, to Justify is introduce
tnn. Every of common sense knows, that
isnoTance ot the law will not it, inTac,ion
IL such rule did exist he good order and trst
principles OF society, would be unhinged, and every
Offender be ready with ample a"d sutlcieht de
fence, for any ouusge, he might thi"k proper to
cOwtnit, upon the righ,s OF hiss neighbour.
It.is not fact, however. that those ttoops were
isnoran, OF the length of time tor which they were
engaged 1t is gTOundie-s assertion, and has a
risen it is presumed, solely and entirely from the
expression, which contained Ia a letter pur
por,icg To be written by Hsrri-. ore of The pr-
soneis, TO Gen. Jackson; and which as has been
shown 10y the public prints, IL altogether forge
~. No such letter was ever received from Her
ris; AMI M opinion as TO the service being res
tricted To three months then entertained. The
offenders knew better and evidence OF the tact,
the proceedings VI the court here as 'in retrred
To.
Extracts Tram TIE Con,t .lEdrfiai pro cei IS.
- John Smith (Fife M~jor) being sworn states,
that ne CT heard language used by the Cap ain
TO bis men, but TO continue in service until the ex
riTation OF the SIR Months; and that IT highly
improper To be breaking Off and that they would
be punished if they sooner
g D'vid Morrow (-ergeant in Cspi. Strother'-
company being sworn; states, the march he
tween Fort Jackson and Deposit. his Capt, in asked
him how long he expected TO remain in service? TO
which he reIliel SIR Months z. they were muster.
ed for that time
Sc 'ge nt JOiH ID. Smith hem. smOyn states
a. That he formerly belonged to Captain Smiths
company and attached to Captain StrOther's
company Al Fort Williams; ched under his
command TO Fort Jackson, and never heard his
Captain say one wo u on the subject mention ed in
the charges, but once, when at Fort Jackson
when the unulIny assumed pretty high tone, he
observed. "hoys hush muiay ng- stay until 70
home which will be at the expiration of SIR
month
d..
the court, did MOI exist, it would be in no wise
terial = II I are they material, except a. go
ing TO shew the opinion which then prevaile -
The order of Governor Rlount upon this su ipc,
requiring that hey should be called out and rus
tered sos Sir months il of itself, sufficient TO shev
the nature and extent OF the seTvie for wh!c hose
I. oops required.
Go eTnor Blount acte in this business under
and by authority from the Secretary OF war and
General J"ckson in calling those men from his
q vl'ion, executed, as lie bound TO DO the or
ders OF Gov T. l. has been objected, & by =, me
o. the late representatives in Congress from sister
state in their circular letters that no such authority
lad been given 20 Governor Blount, and as a rea-
son for sch opni N, it is alleged that such an or.
der IS not TO be found an,0Hg the records of
iFdshtogt9a Cttg.' II occurs TO the committee.
that this very Insufficient reason The non
production ofPapers from the City of Washington,
should not be cOnsdeTel conclusive evidence tina
none such ever existed for IT is demonstrated
cJnc!usvely IN thus case, that such an order was
CIV EN- by the Secretary of War. II lot or mis-
laid, be so; but let not its non-production be
reled on as conclusive evidence to establish dis
pu'ed facts; for that is in opposition TO reason and
: gIt
ltappears then, that these men ere guilty of /
exWavagam excuses OF violation Of duty and /
oi 'he laws OF tie country. 1t appears 100, that |
they were legally called into service for SIX !
MONTHS; and hat before the expiration of even !
three months, theil arts of muti1y took PLACE
hii' therefore, that be alleged ag INST General
jackson Is simply, that having in his hands The
power to pH'dpn, he dil 80; consider The public in
ieIcsl and public safety would be promoted by IFS
exerci-e. This alone constitutes The only ground
OF csnsuIe against him. and that il not jusi ground
tor ccnsuIe. For suffering, or permitting the exc
ciiion, be has been ccnsired a tyraHt AMI an OPP
pressOr. Il was the law, not the commanding
general, That consigned hem TO Death True he
could have gran ed pardon TO the six, az he did to
those whose pay ordered TO be stopped and
helds sentenced TO be ghaved; il is also true. tina,
Gen Washington mi sht have spared the life of the
unfortunate though guilty Maj Andre; yet lac
did not, for the that he thought the puJlic
gOod demanded the sacrifice. On the authority OF
Gen. Reed, of ryl,nd, who wa+ a captain in
the revolutionary war, the country has been in (
formed, that acting under the positive orders OF
Zen. w ashirSiop, without trial OF any sort, he
caused soldier to be shot who was taken in the
act Of deseftion, and gent his head 10 The camp Of
his General; that he was repr,uanded by his supe-
Tor officer, because be had omitted 10 ex cute tx
o hers taken II the ssme time. (c) 40 man &C
qIalnied with The character of Wasbineton can
impute TO him want Of humane and generous
feeling; aeiheT such impu'atio rest against
Gen Jackson. CD Both acted with view to
tie great interests Of the country assuming the
ground, which in tunes of war must ever be main
tanned, that sacrifices Tor the public veal are occa-
tonaiiS Indispensable; and that at such moments
ii would be criminal may moral treason to the
rest OF the community, to Indulge in an excess of
fpeling.
Six rinGlcadeTs and principals, out Of 2c9, being
y lesa'r cour found guilty and condemned for
'1Utiny, desertion, and outrage TO public rroperty
how could Gen Jackson have pafdoned them and
looked for order in his army zficrwards2 The cri
SIS was 2 trying one; powerful British feet and
army were lowering alOag our southern coast abe
to land when and where they pleased. In such d
stale OF things. mIiiny and ds-eriion by all possi
BE m2aEs were 10 be EusfJed against and prevent
~. BY what ule OF reason, or with what proprie- S
=, could Gen. Jackson have punished sny solIie,
Tor similar Offences If be had extended pnTdon and
orglYc7ess 70 Harris AMI his associate? The
country, his army, and himself, must have fallen
victims 20 examples 50 dangerous il would have
Jeeh mistaken mercy!
Believing that The objections repeatedly mad.
re now satisfactorily and an yy cred by a de-
yeioPetnenf NJ the iarls attending the ease. he
-0mmiitee offer this DISCLOSURE with the annexsJI
'faieInanlE 20 ,hs candid consideration Of the p,b
.ic
JOHN OYEhTON, CbAirmss OF the
jackson Corresponding Com ee
~. PATTERsoS, Sec'ry,
Cd See appendix No. . "a See app. No {.
W. ~,do.st..I tt,,, Al ht----s 49,. -,. |