Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-11-07
Maj. Gen. Andrew Jackson.
HEAD QUARTERS,
u. Of the South.
NAsuvGLLE, Sen,. 3. lsI5,

NASHVILLE, Sept. $, 1915.
Sir;-I3y the las. mail had the honor to re-
ce''e your letter OF the LIST OF July in answer to
mine Of the 2;! of May
a'n alive 10 the goodness of tbe President in do
ing me the justice 10 believe, that my conduct at
New Orleans, was governed only by motives of
paiTotism.
Nothing is more foreign to my wishes. than ,ba,
he should become involved n any responsibiiiiv
on account OF my proceedings; and have ALWAYS
in'ended 10 lay those proceedings al a proper ,av
before him and the world.
As furnishing good opportunity for this, /
nave looked forward 10 an investigation which |
designed to have instituted into the conduct of
judge Han; III which all ;hAt can be urged g.
gainSt my own conduct, may be cxpected 10 an.
pear iIce tom the suspicion oil tenderness or on
preston.
With my general measures.I have from time to
time kept the Department OF " ar advised.
a direct aud more particular siatumen, of NV
proceedings, with the causes which produced
them, would before now have been made to the
PRESIDENT, had my health or the nature of my en-
Sa=ctHca's allowed me leisure Tor attandn. tn NV.
subject "a wished
shall be lar, Sir, from thinking it personally
offensive, Of Injurious that any inquiry should be
made INTO the Circumstance w.ich occ,sioned
that exercise ofiuiiitary authority which extr,nr
binary as II was, ! felt myself bound TO assume
and shall acquiesce with the utmost Satisfaction
IN any mode Of inquiry, which The President mav
think the most ecctuai Tor guarding against - tl
misunderstanding or misrepresentation of Tie
principle OF my conduct, or OF the reason of his 81
lencc."
have been prevented by illness from which
am rot yet recovered, and by engagements from
Wishing the seat OF government as soon as 1 had
contemplated; but expect TO set out thitl,cr in
isw weeks, and hope ~ be able after NV arrival
theTe:'o give such explanations of my conduct as
may be Satisfactory. Al present il will not be ex
pccted that should attempt to support the eyer
else OF tiic necessity which rely or TO discuss
Us elects VIII first here remark however, that
II " necessity creates its own law" the powers
Of IN commander who shape. his course TO il may
sometimes not be strictly compatible with (,yhdl
may be tstecnird) the rights OF the citizen OF tn
independence OF the judiciary" ii is easy TO ina
gine crisis IL whirh the precepts OF he judicial
power, must not run into his camp and ierauge
hIs preparations, III which neither wrts OF babe.
"S corpus, nor OF SUBPOENA must be permitted to
~i'hHiaW ms Seniines from their posts or his me
rem heir ines and every man acguaiI.ted in the
least with military matters, must be sensible how
many causes may render il necessary 10 extend th,
minis OF MS camp. 1t is true that no authority
eAi7ls III the y. states, TO declare or impose mar.
lid' iaW beyond the positive acts OF Congress" and
'c'~ '""n ulon - wise prccaution: but an or
CASTOR may, nevertheless, occur of such pressing
emergency as will render such measure ipdis1
pensIpie, and viii admit of 10 DELAY and then the
o'hcer "ao takes upon himself such high autbor;-
" must DO It al his own risk and his own respon
Siohiiy' both TO God an6 individuals; and must re-
W Tor MS justification on the necessity ,th,rb in
huenced his couduct, as furnishing nre.,,,n,t"..
proof, at least OF that which regulated him. bcT
ieave at this time 10 transmit you the judgement
OF Responsible and distinguished officers who acted
with ne. "N''"
lave tie honor, 9;c.
y. JACKSON