Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-07-27

even boldly asserted, that the annals of the Re-
evolutionary war. afforded not solitary instance
that bsre the slightest Comparison to IL. We have
been told, with The candour and fairness that cha
Tac.srize the enemies of Gen. Jackson, that these
men were executed in time OF peace. when
there was no necessity for such severity" The
treaty OF peace was signed in December, but il
was not known in this country until about the
middle OF February; and yet the tact that peace
hsd been signed Is matle of, though il were
known. Such unjust Arguments must recoil upon
the heads cf tbo-e who use them. II was, by the
same mode OF reasoning, that IN time Of peace
Ueneral jackson caused so many OF his fellow
beings 10 be slsughei ed in the ranks of The Brsh
Army on the memorable Sih of January.
But the Justice Of sentence which infiicts ap-
tai punishment upon soldier, mus, be Judged OF
by the degree of hi guilt; by all the accompanying
circumstances; and by the condition of the army
and country, and the essly existing at the time
for such example The following events OF
Revolutionary are, perhaps, not generally
known to ourr readers:
From the Baltimore Republican,
| we have had recourse TO the case OF the "Jer-
sey Muineers, referred 10 in Gen. Reeds letter,
aud have copied 1t into paper of to-day. Here
| II VIII be seen, were several American soldiers
| shot down" by Washington's orders, without e.
ven the form of trial. So too, in the cause of
the order executed by Gen. Reed. There was
trial in that case.'' The conduct of the 80 six
militia men, whom Jackson is charged with ha-
cAcCuAeNs WAS Oh peculiarly aggravated ciia-
racter. They deserted Ia her marched off in
open defiance of their officers, taking so many g.
long with them TO leave the of the garrison
who were In the heart of the Creek nation, in
eminent danger of becoming the victims of the
bloody Greeks they released prisoner, who W as
In confinement they broke open the comnlissary
stores, and took as much as they pleassd-they
wantonly burnt he e-bouse and shot the beeyes.
They thus, not only left that part of the garrison,
who were patriotic enough to stick by their coun-
try, IN danger of being massacfeed; but they did
what they could 10 leave them in absolute want of
the necessaries OF life. Would not Jackson have
been justified In having them shot down scithout
| trial? What did the great and good, and pa,r-
otto w ashInston. whose character, man dare
impeach, whose memory, dare sully even
| by an nsinustion, upon similar occasion9 Look
at the case OF The jersey Mu'ineeIs! YET, The " six
militia men had fair trial by court martial, &
when condemnedby that court, all that Jackson
did, was 10 sanction its sentence. Thus it il, the
Hero OF New Orleans comes out each time from
the c'ucole OF public scrutiny, purer and brighter,
in the eyes OF his admirng counlrymen.
HUNTINGFIELD FARs1, July 10th 1927.
!, Dear SI-four letter OF the I'd instant, found
'.e labourng in my harvest field (and poor har-
st too this year, in this quar.r,1 on the 9th l
finished on the 9th, and should have answ cred
your inquiry directly, but had not a sheet of
paper by me and now write one that is borrow
ed.
Il nave never seen the - Baltimore RepuOliCAn -
edited by YOU and Of the article referred TO
was unknown to me until you sent it. here CO.
Ply 1t. to prevent mistake.
" During the revolution while the army was
stationed at New York, the soldiers were constants
ly deserving Gen. Washington gave orders TO the
officers of the out-posts, 10 shoot down every
man who was seen passing the lines without
leave. and bring his head TO him. One, at least.
IT not more, was shot, and his head carried IN
Warrington. There were more desertions-
Was Washington murderer?- Was Washine-
ION biOodhouad?- Was Washington cruel and
unIelenting 4" Military Chiefiain?''
The material facts stated by you are subs,on
tally correct. will add few remarks. Durine
the memorable campaign OF 1873, the army was
encsmped on the North River, covering West
Point and the passes OF the Highlands / was
with corps on the lines of the enemy at Stonev
| FONT. My orders were in writing and positive
to " strike off the heads of all deserlers that should
fall into my hands deserving TO the enemy. and
send them to Head Qdarier=.'' Three fell into
my hands One was executed as ordered - the o.
ther two were sent under guard TO the Head
Quarters, the guard carrying The head of the deca
plated man along with them. The corps to which
then belonged. remained on the enemy's lines
several months after this transaction; but unde
stood at the time, aud believe, that the head was
PUBLICLY exposed IN view of the army. Deser-
ton ceased. The execution of this order being
very unpleasant affair, motives of benevolence. of
humanity, ihouced me TO take on myself the high
responsibility OF executing one only, knowing too
that 1t was for example sake, and that it was be-
lieveda summary example would have the desired
ELECT. The same course pursued in the case
oil the Jersey mutineess, on much greater scale
See Marshall's Life of Washington. The effect
was the same Summary examples are not no
| vel IN armies, however unpleasant.
The whole of the transaction in which | was
concerned IS slated in the observations had The
honor to make in the House OF Representative of
the U. s. on the Seminole War / am very res
peclfully,
Dear sir, your most OBJ serv't
PHILIP REED.
Extract OF Speech made by MIR Tallmadge. of
| New York, in The House of Representative OF
The United States, on the Seminole War
Before leave this subject, said Mr.. T. must
beg the Indulgence OF this committee 10 permit me
10 cite one more case from Gordon's HISTORY nj
the American Revolution, evincing both retaliation
and the power TO which military commanders ara
sometimes required to for the preservation ol
their country Sir, also beg leave to ask the aiten
ton OF my wodhy friend from MARYLAND (eensrsI
Heed) 10 the statement which shall make The
historian states, that American officer in an adj
yanced station near Stoney Point, detected a sol-
der in the act of deserlion; that he took him rp,
| oil his head without ceremony, and sent it 10 the
camp OF General Washington, by whom il ia adj
dsd, he was severely censure1 for his cruelty and
Tor winch he afterwards stoBed by his bravery in
siorming that place Sir, with this sspect the
story proves much; but reside near that Mace
and rom the tradition of the country, am enabled
10 say, the historian il not correct. / turn sail
MIR. L. with pleasure to my honorable friend from
Maryland (gen Reed) and rejoice lha, am
bic 70 say, that thou art the mani Yes sir. il i.
| you OF whom the historian spesk.l Thou art the
man! who without careuoov rt,t Of ~. ~