The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1842-06-11

A LETTER FNOM GEN. JACK.
SON

SON.
The following letter was read in the
United States Senate last week, and soon
after the bill TO refund the fine imposed ON
the old hero OF New Orleans was defeat.
ed.
HERMITAGE, March Id, 1872.
Deaf SIR; have the pleasure 10 ac.
knowledge the receipt of your letter of The
2sth February last. and hasten 10 reply 10
il.
Having observed in the newspapers
that you had given notice of your intention
TO introduce bill to refund 10 me the fine
principal and interest imposed by Judge
Hall, for the declaration of martial law at
New Orleans it was my determination 10
address you on the subject; but the feeble
state of my health has heretofore prevent.
ed it, | fell! it was my duty TO thank YOU
for the disin;eresIed and voluntary &C, of
Justice TO my character, and to assure Won
that il places me urder obligations which
I shall always acknowledge with graft.
tude.
l. is not the amour, Of the fine that is
important TO me; but it is the fact that il
was imposed for reasons which were not
we'll founded: and for the exercise Of an
authority which was necessary to the sue
cessful defence Of New Orleans; and with.
| out which, it must be now obvious TO all
the world, the British would have been in
possession, at the close of the war. of the
great emporium of the West. In this pon.
of view, il seems to me that the conntry is
interested in the passage Of the bill. for ex-
igences like those which existed a, New
Orleans may again arise; and Command.
ing General ought not to be deferred from
taking the necessary responsibility by the
reflection that it is in the power Of a vim.
dctive judge to impair his private fortune
and place stain upon his character which
canno. be removed. / would be the last
man OIL earth to do any act which would
invaidate the principle that the military
| should always be subjected TO ,he civil
power; bu. contend that at New Orleans
no measure was taken by me which was a,
| war with this principle, or whichif prop.
erly understood, was not necessary 10 pre-
serve it.
'When declared martial law Judge
Hall was in the city, and he visited ms
often. when the proprie,y Of its declaration
was discussed, and was recommended by
the leading and patriotic citizens. Judg-
ing from his acious, he appeared to prove
it. The morning the order was issued he
was in my office, and when it was read.
he was heard to exclaim. 'Noao the co,n.
try may be SAVED: wifhoM il Was lost.
How he came afterwards TO unite with the
treacherous and disafiected, and by the
exercise Of his power, endeavored to para.
lyze my exertions, it is not necessary here
to explain. II was enough for me to know
that if was excusable ia the declaration
of martial law in order TO defend the city
when the enemy were besieging it, was
right TO continue il until all danger was
over For full information on this part Of
the subject refer ou to my defence un.
der Judge Halls rule for me TO appear and
shew cause why an attachment should not
issue for contemp, of court. This de
fence is in the appendix TO 'Eaton's Life Of
Jackson
There is no truth in the rumor which
you notice that the fine he imposed was
paid by others Every cent of il was paid
by myself. When the SENTENCE was pro.
nounce, Mr.. Abnor l.. Duncan, (who
had been one Of my aids de camps aid one
of my counsel, )hearing me request Major
Reed to repair TO my quarters and bring
the sum-not intending TO leave the
room until thd fine was paid, asked tue
: clerk if he would take his check. The
clerk replied in the affirmative and Mr.,
} Duncan gave the check. then directed
: my aid 10 proceed forthwith get the money,
and meet Mr. Duncan's check at the bank
and take it up-which was done; these
are the facts, and Major Davezsc, now
: in The Assembly at New Yory, can verify
: them;
e III is trne. ss | was informed, that The
Q ladies did raise the amount to pay the fine
and costs, ,but when heard of il | advised
!, them apply it 10 the relief Of the widows
$ and orphans that had been made ss ~ K ~