Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-10-08

IL is now a fact generally known, wo pre-
sume, throughout the United States, that Gel-
eral Andrew Jackson stands charged by very
respectable portion Of the people, of cxirome
and unusual cruelty, in suffering the six militia
men, john Woods and Arbuthnot and Am5ris-
ter, TO be executed. The answer TO this alie-
gation is that the General acts in these matters
s'rictly according 10 ihc laws Of the land
Admitting this for the sake Of the argument,
though on no other ground, does General Jack
son s,and acquitted Of tho charge Of beng an
+ arbitrary and cruel commander We ask this
! in the utmost candour and call on bis advocates
! to answer il. Let US examine the facts. John
( Woods, Arbu,hnot and Ambrsier, though con-
: vlccd by the tribunals that examined them.
recommended to mercy by the same tribunals.
Were these recommendations regarded: No!
| We now defy any one TO point out the instance
! in this country beside those now before us,
; where a criminal was convicted Of any capital
offence, whether by civil or military law, ac-
campaned with recommendation to the mcr-
! cy oil those who possessed the power 10 repriove
from the court who trod him; and the reqacs.
disregardcd. With safety we may say there is
no such instance. General Jackson then, TO
say the least, is the first who has over struck
out this bloody ack; and is there philanthro-
pist and friend to humanity, who will not sin
cerely pray that he may bo the last' what ia
J 4 bo Il 40 crn,
tribunal in these cases? The question is easily
! answered. The unfortunate man has commit
ted an act, for which strictly by the laws Of
the land ho must die; but though tho law con-
demns aim. we believe him either innocont Of
intending offence, or less cu'pable than those
which the law meant to punish "So have we
! found upon our oaths and upon the evidence"
We had hoped aud believed, that this appeal
would be irresistible in the bosom Of every chris
/ tian-that there was a chancery in the feelings
! Of such who professed to believe in the mild
mcrcifnl and patient subject Of crucihction and
| Son OF Almighty God, that would deal out
equity and mercy TO him, who has Inadvertently
: transgressed the rigid regulations established
by mankind
But try General Jackson by his own rule and
what would be his fate! He shot his own
neighbour in duel, for which deed the lac
says he must die. He claims mercy at the
hands Of the law, because he says such things
are customary and his honor required it! Did
( he adhere to custom whom he rejected the pc
tiions of tho Courts Martial for the rcprieve OF
John Woods, Arbu,hnot and Ambrister'
GEN JAcKsoN's EcoNoMY.-Much econo-
my is plac ccd to the credit of Gen. Jackson, by
his partzans. They attempt to make the peo-
pie believe, that if the Generals elected Pre-
sident. we shall havo no taxes, and that the
expenses of government will be reduced TO a
mere cyphcr But we have no great conf.
dencc in the rigid economy of these military
men. They are rather inclined to spend the
peoples money, without due regard TO the
interest Of their employers. The following
bill of fare, alluded to by Mr. Wright in a
late dinner Speech, is taken from documents
in the War Department, which amount was
allowed by Mr.. Calhoun. Mr.. Wright. in his
Speech, says.
" Gen. Jackson is held out TO the people as
! economical, and the great friend of Reform.
viii he effect the Reform! Was he economi-
cal and careful Of our money, when in our en-
ploy sand entrusted with lis expenditure Let
us inquire. In 1919 and 20, he was Ma jor
General. but not being in active employ, re-
| manned on his own farm, yet he charged the
government about $4,000 year for his own
pay and sustenance about $50 dollars for the
rent ofhis own house, and his own wood; near
500 for his own slaves (as servants, } while
they were probably tending his cotton, 53l
dollars, for years transportation OF baggage
and in addition he received the sum of $2l55
and 8 cents, for holding Indian treaties! This
was a snug business, anl doubtless strictly
economical--but follow him into Florida. In
1921, he was Governor, at a yearly salary OF
about 5000 dollars, &c. Dfd he live carefully
and prudcnily there' Look at his accounts.
(Herc Mr.. Wright read from his accounts
sundry expenditures. amounting for a few
months, above his salary to S2335 SO cents
embracing large expenditures for Noyeau OF
So dozen. Claret vino at $40 a box. Ma
leira wine at S5 gallon. Bready at S4 a
gallon, wine juice, syrup, old WHISKY. scgars
&c. &c. SC. 277 dollars and 50 cents for
nine days board for the General and family
and 370 dollars Tor expenditures by the Gone
rails order without item or voucher.)
Now, Sirs, said. Mr.. w. this man has been
represented 10 the people as one extremely sb.
stincnt, economical, quiet, and orderly as tho
great reformer Of the extravagance and pro1i-
gacy Of the nation---ss one who lived on acorns.
Acorns indeed! s dollar wine, LONDON porter,
j [ccu'd not use Americana Noyeau, Syrup.
Brandy, Whisky, segars, Molasses, Rsisins,
Dried tonguss sud Gun powder tea are these
expenditures evidences Of csrs-of dispost-
] ios 10 rcfom--hs thought, he said, the rcme-