Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-10-22
COMMUNICATED.


Ma. SsowpEN-I read, with some concern,
The letter addressed to YOU by g. Penn, and
published in this mornings paper. read it with
concern, because it contained insinuatons,
amounting to direct charges, against the Ulcers
Of the Militia in this County, which are positively
untrue, and which are calculated to impress the
public with ideas extremely unfavOrable to each
individual against whom the attack Of " Penn"
is directed.
Had Penn" been disposed, in spirit of
randOr, to have ascertained the truth or alsty Of
the nsinuatioBs made by him in his letter, he
might easily have done so. Noimpenetrable veil
of secresy conceals from the eve of the public
the proceedings of the Court Martial nor will
that Court shrink from the most severe scrutiny
into its proceedings and expenditures, when that
scrutiny shall be made in fair and honorable
manner. To afford, however, the information
sought for by . PENN" 10 inform the pu,Rr, and
TO relieve the Officers of the Brigade from the
odium Of the imputations to which :. Penn gives
birth and currency, and from which ~he Woult fam
relieve them, will suocnctly answer the inter-
rogatories addressed to you.
The Officers do not improperly apply or care
lessty sguOader the money collected from jf,ses
imposed by the Court Martial
There are attached to the Regiment more than
twenty commissioned Officers. The ca" ts
Martial held have been. and still are. legal, as to
their formation and the qualification and num-
Der of their members.
No Larger has erer been exempted from a. fine
in consequence Of any fear apprehension that
he would. or could, successfully resist its collec-
ton, or induce others to do 81.
Were 1t not too great tax npon your kind
ness. would procure detailed account from
the Pavma.ter. of the receipts and expenditures
of III, - ay,mapt tha los ya,r thai ayprv
member of the community might be satisfied of
the economy of the Court. But this would occu-
py too much of your paper. The nett receipts
Of tina Pavmaster during the year 1929. were
S546. OF this, $3.50 were applied to the cur
rent expenses Of the Regiment-for rent Of gun
house, care and preservation OF arms, artillery
Service, music, the pay of the Clerk of the Court
Martial and Adjutant, and the Paymaster's com
missiou--each aud all of which expenses are
sanctioned by law. The balance was then APP
piled to the extinguishment Of debts due by the
Regiment, and which were contracted between
che years 1915 and 1922 For several years
past, every exertlon has been made by the Court
TO reduce the expenses Of the Regiment to the
most economical scale, and to distinguish old
debts; and not one cent has been taken from the
funds Of the Regiment for the entertainment Of
The Officers.
I know not what "Penn" can mean BY the
oneroxs tax imposed upon the Citizens in the
shape Of muster fines" The wisdom of Wash-
i,g,oa. and the pure and patriotic men who franz
ed the Constitution Of these United States. de-
elared the necessity and the policy of National
Militia, properly organized and trained. They
though, unfortunately the wisdom of our pseudo
Penn did not iumne their Councils hat our
Country must. and ought to have national de-
fence-a standing army; or Militia composed
of citizen soldiers. drawn from every rank in
ciety. 7reypreferred the latter-they knew the
evils which every nation has encountered from
proper that these United States should n,ainly
depend upon the valor and fidelity of the Militia.
II, then. they thought so, and provided in the
Constitution of the United States for its organi
cation and government, let me ask "Penn,"
how are the individuals of the Militia to be con-
troled? Some penalty must be imposed upon
those who will not, who care not, to discharge
their duties: and if so, what milder punishment
can be imposed, than a small pecuniary fine?
shall not pretend to say that our Militia System
Is not defective.-But penn must know, that
for wears, every successive President Of this Re-
public has called the attention Of Congress to the
subject; and attempts have been made. and are
yearly making. to render the Militia effective
Beware, Penn. you cannot ride in the whirl-
wind and direct the storm: Look with more cool.
ness at the subject; and before you abolish insti
buttons framed By the wisest heads-ask your
elf the question, " I'm Ieon,paent?"
Oct. so. JUSTICE.
Ma. EDrroR-We wish you to announce TIE
u.sI I,t,oxrrr \ candidate for the SheriffaItv