Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-04-25
10 the Editors Of The Enquirer.
MAJOR GENERAL. of the .4r1,y.

RIOHMOMD,A APRIL 20.
! 10 the Editors Of fhe Enquire
! MAJOR GENERAL Of the Army.
II any thing could surprise me in the course
oil the present Administration it would be the
mination of Gen. Macomb as Major General of the
Army. Surely '' Madness rules the hour
The consequences must be unfortunate for them,
I as the motives exceptonable. The greatest
,reukness has conducted them to the grosscst in
justice. They have avoided the responsibility of
settling the dispute between Gaines and Scott
end now they seek to avoid the consequences of
their own mbccility, by the most garng insult
! towards both OF these gentlemen. This is one
uvc-and another no doubt is to concate N Y ork
! by nominating Nacomb, instead OF Ohio, by the
nomination of Gen. Harrison.--They win be disap-
pointed. They will not advance their cause in n
Y. as am well advised. They have cooled some of
HarTiSon's friends, who were Unfortunate for his
appointment They viii but extend discord throu gh
the army, instead of abatng it. They viii kim
| die flame, which all their diplomacy win ba
unable TO extinguish. Instead of two Generals,
| they will set all three at variance. The quarrel
will spread through the army. The old question
about brevet rank, which the Administration ought
| to have settled, will be brought up in
more irritating form. Courts Martial must be
held, TO determine whether General Macomb can
outrank Scott and Gaines-and Offices win 60 in
TO that court, with prejudices more strongly ex-
cited on account of the injustice which has been
practised towards two OF the ablest and most ac-
| compshed generals in the service. This dispute,
Oesiuts, VIII Sill commune as between SCOtt and
| Gaines-whilst it will arise in more odious form
as between them on the one hand, and Macomb
on the other-for mark what sayl il win be tri-
ed, rs TO Gen. Macomb.
II is crying act of injustice, TO pass over the
superior pretensions OF Scott & Gaines. i should
be the last TO deprecate in any degree the services
OF Gen. Macomb'-but, it will be generally con-
fessed that they rendered more service during the
war than he did. They earned their commissions
in The field, of Major General by brevet, before
he did-they continued before him in the Peace
Establishment of the Army--for, while they re-
tanned the powers of Brigadier Generals, he pass
| ed into the Engineer Department-and it will
not be denied, that i'm point of qualifications, they
are at least his equals, if his superiors. Then,
why is this injustice extended TO them? They differ
about their rank; ant the administration is too weak
to adjust their dispue and, the eore, 10 them
they have determined to be guilty of gross in
Justice 10 fhenl!G Chimes & Scott to learn the un
pleasant lesson that their AMBITION is 10 be limited 10
their present commission thtt, like the prosecuted
Catholics Of Ireland, they may labor under disabili
ties which they may surmount s., that let Macomb
die tomorrow, some other inferior is 10 be taken
up, and cavalierly thrust over their hcads.-An m,
this unjust rule of prescription is to be carried into
effect, without settling the dispute between them.
| On the contrary, tits to embrace Gen. hiacomb in
! its crcuit-and the administration may be com
PEELED last 10 take steps for its adjustment. They
may well, therefore, settle il at first, at last
and before they had been guilty Of such gross in
justice towards Scott s. Gaines.
Let US trust, then, that The Senate will pause,
before they rafy this act ofiniuslice or election
eerng. They will well recollect what righteous
opposition they have made TO one of the military
nominations of Mr. Adams--and the present case is
as strong and more important than that case. What
| mischief can result from some delay? The presi-
dent can retain the immediate command of the
army, through the Department of War, until the
dispute Between Gaines and Scott has been adjust
ed in the proper manncr.-I pray, therefore, of
the Senate of the u. States TO postpone a decision
/ ha IN The
| in the army.
! Gen. Macomb's office has necessarily caused
I him to be present at the seat Of government Gen.
: Gaines happened TO be there merely by accident
! at the moment of the sudden death of Gen. Brown.
( Cen Scott is not there. He is at Cincinnati.
l understand, that from the first moment of his
hearing of Cen Browns death, he determined not
| TO GO TO Washington, unless ordered, and not to
write word to remind the President, the
War Department, of his strong claims and reason
able expectations. He has adhered TO this deter
mination. 1t is said, that of his friends, with
out consulting him, called on the President 10
know whether it was necessary for him to be pre-
sent, and whether his friends ought to take mea-
surcs in his behalf and that the President
swereh both enquiries in the negative-saying that
he thoroughly understood Gen. SCOTS claims; bu
deemed il indicate to make any intimaton of the
| person whom he would nominate whilst the ques
ton for abolishing the Office was before Congress
1t is also said, that Mr. Clay told two several resi-
dents Of Cincinnati in February, that he did not
doubt Gen. SCOTS name would nc sent to the Sc
nate thatthe President would not go out of the
Zoe of the Armys and that Gen. Harrison was who'll
| ly out of the question.-lt remains TO be ronjec-
tured, why not only Scott, but Gaines should be
passed over and Maconlb sent up. i appeal to
| the Senate for justice FIRGiNIUS.
respect Macomb as an officer Of distinguish
cd merit-he is principally known for his victory
| at Plaitsburg. which Mr.. Adams deprecated in
his famous letter TO Levitt Harris, thus " Pro-
vosts retreat from Pla;tsburg, has been more dis
| graceful TO them than honorable u.s."