Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-12-14

Of the State? Have any Of the provisions Of
the Constitution aud Laws ofibe State in re-
gard 10 the appointment of officers of militia,
been observed in the appointment in qnes-
lion? We ask for information, from desire
to learn how, to use homely expression, they
have managed TO whip the ID round tha
post. sS &
We proceed with eur Narrative. Before
the date Of this commission, and thus withou.
any commission whatever, Capt. Seller was
ordered by the United States officer in CON-
mand here, to repair to Bedloe's Island, and
there drill the foreign recruits which were
sent to him. This he did for about thirty
days previous to their emba rkation. On the
god November Capt. Seller, feeling himself
no doubt stranger in foreign service, and
that it was therefore incumbent on him TO
make himself acquainted with the rules and
regulations Of that service, addressed letter
to the War Department, requesting to be fur
nished with copy Of the Army regulations,
to which request he rec civcd the following
strange reply:
ADJUrANT GENERALS OrFIcE,}
Washington, Nov. "a, 1882.
SIR: I regret to state that your request of
the 22d, to be supplied with copy of the
Army Regulations cannot be complied with,
there not being a d.posable number Of the
work in my office.
Very respectfully, sir,
your obedient servant.
r. JONES'.
Adjutant General.
Capt. of N. York Volunteers, N. York City.
Not disposable copy of the Army Resu-
lntions IN the Adjuiant Generals ofice!-
But we continue. CaptaiH Soilcr, when he
received his orders to embark on the Goth
November, was thus thrown on his own re-
sources-having no other guide for his con-
duct than his experience Of the practice in
European armies. This he put in force, and
indeed, appears, in the embarrassing position
in which he soon found himself placed, u
have conducted himself with great military
proprety and irmness. One Of his first du-
ties, in his view, was to assure himself that
proper provision had been made on board the
Transport for the accommodation and supply
of his detac hment. He found the sleeping
berths for the men not even put up,and when
they were put up, it wns done SO slightly, ,AN
on the second day The floor between decks
gave way, and all that was on it, muskets and
soldiers, &c. fell on the ballast.
We shall not dwell long on the scenes
which took place on board the Transport
For day or two, by placing some individn-
ais under arrest, Capt. s. managed to keep
up something like subordination, but an i'll
feeling towards the German soldiers existed
among the Philadelphia Volunteers and the
crew of the Transport. This, shelving itself
in acts, was resented by the former, and at
last, OF Sunday morning, the evaporation
between the two parties had grown to such
a height, that they were on the point of COM
ing TO blows, the consequences Of which,
would probably have been most melancholy
all being armed. Bloodshed, however, was
fortunately prevented by Capt. s with great
difficulty and at the risk Of his life, Having
sent information of what was passing on board
the vessel. to the United States officer in
command here,the latter ordered him to come
on shore and give over his command to his
Lieutenant, whom he had put under arrest sor
bad behaviour.
Our account would be incomplete,i il we did
not add that when Capt. Seller left the vessel
and came on shore, such was the Indignation
felt by the people at the employ Of foreign
soldiers in our service, that it was with great
difficulty Capt. s. escaped with his life from
mob who had collected on the wharf They
followed him to his lodgings OF The Atlantic
Hotel, crying out. Kill the Id German!
Down with the id Van Buren, man! and
It was entirely owing to the intervention Of
some individuals who were passing along,
that he got into shelter in safety. ..|
Captain Seller having demanded an inves-
tigation into his conduct in this affair, the
whole matter will probably come befor tho
public in more authentic shape meantime,
however, the above statement may be relied
on as correct in all the principal facts. ..>.,.
]