Delaware journal., 1828-01-25

pointment--lhat of Major Ge. ral--was resianei
and Bfigndicrs Colonies, and Majors have consand
y been bedcyllina the Executive, by designations
non-accrptanccs, ever since thelaw went INTO oDera
ton. Why. sir from an enquiry into this subject, ii
appears that the designations, IN one year. have caused
the present Executive more trouble and labor tan
all the Executive officers Of this State had for the hst
seven years, and that more than 700 military cm.
missions have been issued since the first of Marb
last, without one cent ot additional compensati,,
either TO the Governor or Secretary of State for bl
laboriuus business Few are pleased with thas,
military commissions, except as they may erafv
what has been called military sprit''a ionnr.s
FOR exhibition and parade--and this is done, Der.
haps, more generally by captains commission
than Majollly-as the captains equipments are
less expensive, and he mast parade more frequently
and sometimes does dozen times a year. TLis
seems TO be the WhS IN several Instances can
talns ni Volunteer companies have absolutely reius
ed these Manltles, unless they could still be per
mltted to command their own companies also But
NOW mark how plain tale will put this slatider
down, about Majors commission being offered 10
MIR. Wibank, with the view OF influencing his uoI
tcs. Read, attentiyely, the following extract from
letter addressed toa gentleman in this Borough
" John Wiltbank having been elected and d1lv
recommended by the members OF volunteer troon
OF Horse in the third Brigade, was on The o9M dan
Of March last commissioned by the Governor Tho
captain OF that troop. Croppcr Laws having been
recommended for similar commission in the same
Brigade, "as on The 9h dag Of Mag last commission
ed captain OF the second and only other troop Of
horse in that Brigade. On or about the twelfth dav
OF December last, the Governor being then in Dover
executive business, called upon at the Secre
tary's office, in the evening, by Aduunt General
William w. Green, on business relating TO the militia
General Green then reported to the Governor that
the two troops of cavalry in Sussex commanded by
captains Wilibank and Laws were al that tim.
completely organized, agreeably 10 the militia
law, and were therefore entitled 10 n major 10
command them agrceably TO the 9Th section of that
act. General Green further stated that he supposed
OF course, Captain Wlltbank the commander of the
first troop (whose commission bore date one month
and ten days before that OF Captain Laws) was cni-
tied to the majority under the 9th section OF that
act. which directs that " the grades of officers shall
be determined by the dates Of their coninssions-.
and il SO, ne respectfully solicited that Captain Wilt
bank should be Immediately appointed. The Gov
ernor after examining the Registry Of these comns-
slons and ascertainng their dates, Immediately di-
reced the Secretary of State to make out the COM
mission other business then pressing ooud
be disposed OF, and 10 send il 10 captain Wilthank.
Accordingly on the 18th of December the cor,ris.
sion was issued and was Immediately placed in the
hands OF MAJOR Harper Gan ayowed Jackson MANI
to be sent ~ him to captain Wtbank, accompan d
by request that he would avail himself of the ear
I hest opportunity 10 forward il to Lewistown. Ma
: Jor Harper was entrusted with this commission,
because, IN consequence of his connection with res
pecable family at Lewis, he sought opportunities Of
frequent communication will that place and he
promised by one of these he ould forward the com
mission TO captain Wtbanl as soon as possible.
Mayor Harper, however detained this commission in
his hands without the knowledge Of any other per-
son. until the appearance Of Nltbank at the session
OF the Legislature, and then without comforting with
and without the knowledge of any friend of the ad-
: minlstraon WhaeVcr gave it TO WiItbank in the
presence oiyoung Thomas Robinson Of Sussex coun.
ty."
Since saw the above have received from Ma
jor Harper, himself, the following letter which he
y requests me TO publish to correct the msrcpresen
. tations on this subject.
I'll Dover, Jan. 13, 1898.
MIR BRADFoRD,
It In an article over the signature Of "Sligo'' pub.
J. lished in the Delaware Gazctee of the 1th Inst
b and in subsequent editorial remark irShe same pa
per of the 9th Inst. it is intended TO give an i'm
g preston abroad, that commission OF Major was
placed the hands of Jackson member of our Leg
5 slaure with view of influencing his vote in the
;. house Of Representatives, on late occasion.
Being in possession of the tucts in relation to the
3 delivery of said commission of Major, deem my
u duty to lay the following statement before the pub
lie, to correct misrepresentation. On reference to
7 the official register of the Department of State,
8 a commission of Cavalry in the third Brigade Del.
Is Militia made out for John Wtbank, Esq. and
II dated the 18th of December last to the best
n ofmy recollection, the afternoon Of that day. Col.
e William Purnell delivered the said commission to
= me, with request that should forward it TO Mr..
Wiltbank by the earliest safe conveyance that might
- offer. None having occurred, retained the com
mis- Mt Il Nihanl, hppp In talk