Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-04-27
Head Quarters, Plattsburgh, NY.
10Th April, 1888.

Gentlemen IL had the honor to receive
your communication Of yesterday, tender
ing me in brbalc of yourselves and others
of my fellow citizens, public dinner as
mark Of respect, for services which have
rendered my country at d,ff,renl periods
on this frontier. This distinguished mark
Of your appreciation, os well as of those
who are united with you 10 comforting It.
Of my conduct in 1914, and during the past
winter, has filed me with the deepest
sense of gratitude. In the performance OF
the responsible duties imposed on me in
the cases referred to, can only say, was
governed by no other slderatlons than
the maintenance Of the honor, the interest
and the welfare Of our common country.
Although the scenes recently enacted on
this frontier, were different in their char
acer from those Of 1914, yet they were
not less important, as they involved the
peace and welfare Of the Union They
presented the sad spectacle Of foreigners
coming amongst US aud in violation OF law
ard IN opposition to the constituted snhor-
tiles of the country, raising with IMMUNITY
an army for the purpose OF levying war
upon nation with whom we were al
were on terms Of amliv AID friendship. 49,
Wuh like lmpuni'y haye we seen indlvld
uals Of this same army, dong violence to
The property of our most worthy citizens,
breaking open arsennls ard plundering the
State of It's arms and irampng under foot
! the very laws and institutions they profess
20 much to admire, and which they say
they would impose on noighborlng people,.
To check this mad aud lawless career, and
to preserve the laws. the honor and the
interest of the country, II became my duty
as military commander on this frontier to
arrest this army and It's leaders.
1t is true, as you have justly observed,
this was not accomplished, without produ
cling embarrassment, excitement. mlsrep
reseniatioH. unfavorable impressions and
dissatisfaction. Tina, the leaders of this
expedition against Canada should have
sought for causes to justify their lawless
and unwarran'able acs was to have been
expected. but that citizens Of the Un'ed
States. should have SO far forgo'tcn tho
respect and Obligations due to their own
Government and their own institutions,
as to encourage foreigners to wholly dis.
regard the one and trample unGerfnot the
the other, was 0s unexpected as Il was
extraordinary. and bespcaks an indltftr-
ence to their own happy form of Govern
ment. which if persisted in, must endanger
its peace and pormanencv.
II would afford me the highest grn'fica'
ton to meet you and my fellow citizens al
the festive board; but ns an excitement still
prevails on tho ST. Lawrence frontier, a,
well as that Of Vermont, and 10 other parts
of the country within my command, in re-
lailnn TO the cause Of the Canadians, an
unable to say at what moment may bf
called from this part of the country. ] an
therefore under the necessity # declining
the invitation so flat,eringly rendered to me
with the assurance that your approval, anc
that OF my fellow citizens in general, OF m!
conduct in the dl,charcc of the duties tc
which yon have alIdded, is regarded as ht
highest reward which can be conferred OF
the patrio' and the soldier.
With considerations of the highest respect
| have the honor to be,
Your obedon' servant,
JOHN e. WOOL.
Brig, General
U. S. Army
To Messrs WIN. Swaziland,