Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-01-26
THE VENERABLE TRuMBuLL.

bile and yeners,ed patriot Of the revolution
The occasion which called i: forth 10 somcieh''
" explained in the article, and we envy not the
feeling. Of the individual who could "aa'on'S
outrage the sensibili,ies Of the gentleman, ano
render necessary this publication, The tae's
detailed by Mr.. TnuMsuLL will be new 10 many
Of our readers, and will be read with that oe-
gree Of interest that must attach to cign'ne"
apueal from a Revolutionary Ve'eran-the
friend and favori,e Of Washing,on--a civilian
and diploma,ist, distinguished for his integrity
and cap,ci,y-and an Artist, who has increased
the reputation Of his native country by the un-
aided efforts Of his genius, industry and talents
New Yo.x, goth JAS'Y, 1880.
To the Editor Of Tie yame-iean:-
MAY I beg the favor OF you to punhsn 10
your paper the following copy OF 81 letter winch
/ have though, it nv duty to address: 20 On,
Hon. Mr. WIDE, in Congress, the Original o'
which sen, 10 him by the mail Two days ago;
aud which now wish TO make public In con-
sequence Of the publicity Of his attack.
After having devoted ten Of The best years
Of nv life, in very early youth and III mioo'e
age, to the active service OF my country a"a
having employed the intervals OF military ana
political occupations in acquiring q" eFga",
art, fer the very purpose OF preserving 'hro
il, means The memory Of the great events and
illu&,rious men of The Revolution, did hope
to enjoy some frpose during the fragmen, OF
life which can remain TO q man who has passeo
It's ordinarylimi,s. II appears cruel as towards
me and Gisgrac.fuI 10 themselves, that 8" ma
nv men in Congress should have continued 10
,ra.e me with a repetition Of pallry personal
,ou,bs rhev may rest assured that, however
painful the task may be, yet, so long as my IN.
,e,lect and nv hands are spared TO me, shall
never fail TO return an Answer.
Yours, truly, JOHN TRUMBULL'
Nrw YoRK, JAS'Y Is, 1880.
Hon. Mr. Wide in Congress:
SIR: In he newspapers oil this day, 90
serve a sketch Of the debate which 'o"k place
in the House of Representatives on The lin
instant, on the subjrcr OF the me m"rial from
this city relating 20 the Cherokee Indians, and
which vas signed BY me IS Chairman OF the
meetug. am very much obliged TO you tor
the favorable terms in which you spoke OF me
as an artist but whenyou recommend 10 -" the
painter 10 stick 20 his palette" you perhaps
we've not aware hat had mol been always, not
merely, q Paintsr.
You nigh, no, know that in Angus i77s.
was appointed an Aid de. Camp Of Gen. Wash
ine:on; and hat ! am The Oldest OF the few
survivors, tho ever had hat honor.
You might not know ,ha' IN i776. was ap'
pointed ant General Of the Northern De
psr,ment with the rank Of Colonel, under The
command OF Gen. Gates-and tha, OF course.
am n. W one of The oldes. surviving Colonels
Of The Revolutionary Army.
" might no know hat in 1894, attended
Mr.. Jay as his Secretary, in his very inapnr-
tsnt, though unpopular, embassy to- England.
Az probably you d. no' know the triumph
an, result Of the 7,h article of he Treaty 'hrn
nego lated by him. relating 10 the subject OF
I" irregular or illegal Captures
The papers relating o rha, subjec' were de
posted by he Americ an Commi ssioners in the
Depar,r nent Of Stae, IN 1904. Il did not suit
The poll y IF the Government a, that lime, 10
give publicity to RI suit which was SD favor
able to the Commercial part OF the nation, and
so honorable to Mr. Jaw: and as those papers
persisted when " sshlng,on was burnt, il is
probable that you are not accurately acq"ain'
ed with the facts: beg leaw 10 STATE Them
To you
The Commission to which was referred The
subjec, Of irregular or illegal captures" wss
composed Of FIVE members. Mr.. Gore and Mr..
Pirkn,y OIL the part Of the U"itsd States; DR.
Nichols and DR. Swabey two of hr' most emf
men, civilians,) on the part OF Great Britain
and was the Eth Commissioner representing
DO h nations. This Commission was clothed
with authority paramount TO all Courts ct
Pr,z. Of no h nations; i, was very na'ural for
The ,wn Commissioners Of each parry 20 think
their own government generally righ; and SUCH
was the fact on all important questions -of
course all such questions remained to be de-
eid-d, and were decided by the fifth Commits
sioner.
In very many cases, the decisions OF the
cour.s Of both nations were overruled by US,
ana reversed; and the Government OF Grra'
Britain actually and faithfully paid, under
our awards, to citizens Of the United States,
more than fen millions Of dotlo,s
l, is not to be suppose thst I hazarded
such . course in such society, during seven
years, in the city Of London, snd supported my
decisions by written opinions, without having
devoted some time to the study Of the Law Of
nations.
IL La