Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1827-09-06
GENERAL JAcKsoN's LETTER
RoRERrsoN's SPRINes, July 20, -

Dear Sir:-Ynur letter of the I'D INST. was
handed to me laie last evening, and ! hasten to
answer the inquiries as re quested, in regard to
the case of Harris and the other five militia
men who were executed at Mobile.
The regiment to which these unfortunate
men belonged, was received into the service
BY the orders ofthe general government. was
mustered for a six months tour, and was paid
accordingly. for said service, as viii appear ny
the muster and pay rolls, and by Col Plpkin's
report to me. These rolls with Col. Pipkm's
report, the proceedings and sentence OF he
court martial detailed or the trial, and all the
circumstances connected with the %su3Ject, are,
or ought to be, on record at Washington city,
where, / have no doubt, Mr.. Buckner has had
a full opportunity of examining them. | con-
fdently assert. that they stamp the allegations
of Mr.. Buckner with tsisehood.
The letter which Mr.. Buckner now makes
use of in order to injure my character, IS well
ascertained to be a forgery. 1t was first puo
lished by Binns, editor of the Democratic Press,
purpor;ing TO be a leter from the unfortunate
Harris to me. Now this man never wrote but
one letter to me, that ever saw, or heard of
before this publication, and in that he acknowl.
edged himself TO be guilty of the enormous
crimes charged against him, and stated his
Willingness to meet his Just sentence OF the
court. If MIR. Buckner was as DESTROYS TO Gull
the truth from the archives of the nation, as
tei to pluck from me my hard earned reputa-
ton, he would have seen tina, general Winches-
Ter, who commanded at Mobile at the time that
this Blnn's lie ter ia d dated, made several com.
munications to me after that date, and before
he had any knowledge that the battle OF New
Orleans bad been fought. Does not this cir
oumstance show the ifnpossiblllty of Mr.. Harris
having this knowledge a, the time stated, and
ak.Il tho ha Csntl have c,aina1 ~ in fsrna
TO nave made it a ground of application for
mercy. The letters OF General Winchester to
me show that he did not receive intelligence of
the victory until the 18th Of Januaty-this for.
ged letter gives the intelligence TO Mr.. Harris
two before. Strange, indeed, that Mr.. Harris
closely confined in jail, should be so much ear.
lier informed than the commsndsnt at that post
1t would give me great pleasure to send you
printed copies from the documents in my pos.
session, properly certified, proving what l have
here asserted, but !, is impossible that this can
be done within so short a period as that re-
qgested. trust, however, that the statement
here made will be sufficient with all honorable
men, to counteract the false impressions sought
to be forced upoo the freemen of Kentucky by
MIR. Buckner.
AS a public or private man, speaking oftrans.
actions which concern the reputation and char.
acter Of others, every manly feeling should re
mind him, that he oughtto be guided by estab
iished facts. not by the hearshy of a party; and
WREN he thus produces facts, or the least plausi
bic ground. upon which to bottom such char
ges; as those which you have recited, pledge
myself 10 be at all times ready to meet him al
the bar Of my country.
It may be proper to remark in Conclusion
thai the finding of the court proves conclu-
siyely that those men were legally in service
or otherwise that they must have been acquit
ted. | approved Of their condemnation, be
cause they were the promoters and ring lead.
ders of the nutiny and desertion, committed at
a period, when The safety of our Southern from
tiers was Threatened, at a period which called
for the most energetic measures, and when ev
cry nerve of the government Nas stretched H.
the defence OF our Liberties. When they VIC
lated the law in such strocious manner, the
public good demanded lbeir sacrifice. Had they
done their duty as fsithful soldiers, their coun
try would have rewarded them with its protec
tion and gratitude.
lam SIR. your most obedient servant.
ASDkEW JACKSON.
WILLIAM OWENS.
p. >. II ~lli oe recoiiected in the Revolur
tsry var at a lime o. great trial, General Wash
ingion ordered d~eserters 10 be shot vtho,r
'risi. Captain Reed under this order. hay;ne |
arrested tbree, had one shot without trial. and