Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-01-06
Fiom Mt Independent. Jan. 4.

We find the following in the New York Amer.
can:
"GEN. GAiHEs.-The rumor some DAYS ngo q,
the arrest OF this officer for leaving his Military De
phrtment without orders, and repairing to Wash
ington, was nt least premature; though we belicvo
there is no doubt that the General is absent win
out leave from his post-possibly permsnen, leave
of absence will bc ordered IN his case and tho
IN rank DC detailed to the command of his Military
Dopnrtment.-This perhaps is the least unptncio,is
mode Of setting aside a soldier who has done the
State some SERVICE, but whose faculties now are sun
posed TO be somewhat impaired"
Oi ono who has done such honorable service as
Gen. Gaines, and whose military merits have n
ways been adorned by high private worth il is fit
that one speak with all possible tenderness. When
Kumor was rife here, not long ago, with tales of his
disobedlencc OF orders, his contumacy, his arrest
and even the severity with which he hac been treat
ed, we look pains TO nrve at such facts could be
depended on The result is but this: Gen Games
did, we believe, quit his command improperly
so much because he did il upon sort Of contingen nj
and constructive leave, from The Secretary at war,
which ought not to have been inlerpreted as be-
cause It was direct violation Of duty to address
an application of this kind to the Secretary passing
over his superior officer, the Comma nder-in- Chief
we have strong reason too. to believe that he quit
ted his Division without assigning the command las
he should have done) TO the next superior officer
thus leaving his Division without any military head
We have HsceTtainod that,-grave MS these facts
rendered the cnsc,-ho was treated with oil possible
anu nH uNSOllCltcO leave OF absence
rendered him, in the propercst terms. To this he
replied, by al enumeration OF his services, and nn
intmaiion that when he wanted leave Of absence
he would apply for IL. Respect for his high ser.
vices, his advanced nge and for certain fnncies with
which his mind is entirely POSSESSED, pointed out
the only course that could &c taken with him, un.
less all idea Of discipline in the Army was aban
doned; and leave Of absence for him was made
out by the express instruction oflho President him
sef-B But we do not understand that leave 20 be
permanent, az tho American states II Ito be-
Though aware of these facts, we have forborne
TO mention them, through considerations that will
ensy be understood So much of tho matter has
now, however, become public that it IL useless any
longer TO withhold simple statement OF the truth
We feel bound, at the same time, TO remark that,
in every view OF tho o1iciil prophecies Of his sta
ton, Gen. Gaines does what il exceedingly unfit,
in going about The country, lectuing upon his plan
Of National Defence. Nor docs it diminish the un.
becomngness OF the thing, that his lady, however
charming or eloquent, should hold forth, after him.
on tho opposite topic of tho Horrors Of War. Re
gard for one of the highest md most uncon,nninat
cd branches Of tho public service, induces us 10
speak ou', thus far, upon the whole matter.