The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-06-22

series. wen, Mr.. Chairman, inns same qucs-
? ton perplexed me until | reflected that Indians
have DOCTORS TO teach the art Of war as well a.
white men. The member, however, appeared
unwilling TO make the direct charge himself, but
spoke OF Il as having been made By Others. III
he were present ! should inquire whether he in
} tended TO be understood as repeating on this
! iioor charge in which he did not believe. |
think he would hardly admit that 10 be the case
then suppose that he spoke what he believed 10
be true take issue upon the point, and call for
ms proof. He having repeated the charge must
be held responsible for It's correctness II is Il
legal principle that I" he who repeats SANDER
is held responsible as author" But am aware
that no proof ever has been or ever will be given
TO sustain the charge will refer the member
Tor his own information, 10 the speech Of our
colleague from Montgomery, and the testimony
OF Col. Taylor, who says, The spot Tor en-
campment was selected by Col Clarke and my
self We were directed by General Harrison to
examine the country up and down the creek
until we could find a suitable place In short
time we discovered the place on which the army
encamped, and 10 which il was conducted BIZ
US NO infimdfion pds giren by The Indians
of their irish that loe should encdn,p there. noy'
could they possibly hare knoen uhere ne
army aoould encamp until IL took place. This
testimony has been twenty three years before
The public, and no man has vet presumed 10 dis
pute It's perfect accuracy also predict that the
member will not now contradict il although he
may repeat perhaps what some bar-room poti-
clan may have said through ignorance or malice;
yet neither he nor any other of General Harri-
sons assailants, think, will presume 10 question
the veracity Of Col Taylor
My colleague referred 10 certain resolutions
passed by portion Of the officers Of the Ohio
militia in 1913. MY colleague from Chilico,he
fully explained this subject at the time the gen
tleman brought it forward. There were several
regiments OF militia from our State with the
army when they were about to cross into Cana
da. General Harrison thought his force suffi-
Client without them; and the difficulty Of supply
ing troops in Canada was great. He therefore
discharged the Ohio militia. They had hoped
10 share IN the glory Of conquering the British
army and of taking Fort Maiden. In this they
were disappointed. Smarting under their dis
appointment, they passed the resolutions alluded
to, which stated in substance that they did not
understand the policy of the commanding Gene
raj The result, however, showed General Har-
fison's policy TO be correct His force was
abundantly sufficient TO capture the British and
defeat their Indian allies. The aid Of the Ohio
militia could have rendered our army no service !;
and II IS difficult for me to find the least possible
ground for censure of General Harrison In
deed, the gentleman did not attempt TO show
that any blame could attach TO General Harrison
But his object appeared 10 be TO show that these
officers were dissatisfied at the time. Such
was undoubtedly the case but why il should be
now introduced into congressional debate is a
matter not so easily understood Had General
Harrison put our nation 10 the unnecessary ex-
pense OF supplying and paying these troops for
the forty days 0or which time they entered the
service) he would surely have merled censure.
But the member has gone beyond all his asso-
ciates in this work, and declares that q General
Harrison rds nerer in batter That there
/ L..ff Jnsn nl.-.s
prise and defeat of the American armyn Mr..
Chairman, sat in almost breathless silence, ex-
pectlng he would go one step further, and deny
there had erer been am such man as General
Harrison ! understand the term battle to be
"he hostile engagement Of The PRINCIPAL part
i Of an army at the same Hme.o AT least, such
believe TO be the definition Of authors How
ever, know not how the late writers on medi-
cine may define the term battle. General Har
rlson's army were all engaged at the same time
Tor the space OF not less than two hours, If his
| tory be true. The membersalso asserts that the
battle at Tippecanoe was a surprise These as
sertons are made, but no proof is given. Ma
jor O'Falen and others who were present agree
that the army were encamped in hollow square,
with proper sentinels, guards, and out posts
! The men slept upon their arms, with muskets
loaded. bayonets fixed, and cartridge boxes smng.
The officers too had their sde-arms girded on
The hour of four O'Clock in the morning had
nearly arrived; the commanding General was
upon his feet in full dress, and his aids by his
side, when the enemy approached drove in the
out-posts and sentinels, and commenced &c
neral attack This the member terms a sur
PRISE He has not, however, told in what par
tcular the surprise consisted. The attack was
surely expected. The army We're perfectly pre-
pared, and every officer and man was at his post
! The member goes still further and, without
showing any proof or making any explanations,
asserts, upon his own responsibility, that the
battle Of Tippecanoe was a defeat OF our army
Here, too, he has dealt in generdiifies, and care
fully avoided particulars The object of the
town at Tippecanoe. The town was burned
on the same morning OF the battle, SO that the
object 81 The expedition was effected. The In
dams made the attack, were repulsed and
fed, leaving their dead in possession of our
troops There was no defeat, except with the
Indians, so far concerns the battle General
Harrison lost no baggage, had no men taken
prisoners, kept possession OF the field buried his
dead, and, having burned the town and fully ac-
complished his purpose, returned in peace 10
Vincennes. This the member calls a defeat
but in this application of the term he stands en-
tirely alone.
The member, after OBTAINING The committee
a considerable time and having charged Gen.
Harrison with dereliction of duty in the selec-
lion ol MS encdnpnent, ana OF permitting thc
Indians 10 direct him as 10 the place; having
avowed, upon his own authority, that the battle
at Tippecanoe was surprise; tina, our army
was defeated-having, say, declared these
things in his official capacity, and sent them
forth TO the nation and the world he proceeded
TO state that these mere matters, so far as they
related 10 the battle Of Tippecaaoe, that he
KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT" On this point admit
his perfect correctness. The proof is entirely
conclusive. ] admit its force, and will not con-
test his accuracy.
The memher from Hamilton nlsn cansnxn.