The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-14


event may, indeed, take place. Amid the unstable
councils of Mexico, which are more or less sub
ect to the influence Of turbulent and excited peo-
pie, we scarcely know what to expect. But, I'M
questonably, it is the duty Of statesmen, under such
circumstances, to be prepared for any contingency
which may occur.
AN ACT OF JUsTICE-oNE OF THE LAST ACTS OF
GENERAL JAcXsoN's ADMINIsTRATioN-CoLo
MEL ROBERT BUTLER OF FLORIDA.
There is remarkable anecdote concerning Col.
Butler (who has just been restored to the Office Of
surveyor general of Florida, from which he was
removed by the last administrator which de-
serves to be recorded, Colonel Butler was
a soldier--a gallant and serviceable soldier-du-
ring the last war. He served at Camp Meigs, UNI
der General Green Clay, during the second invest
ment of that place by the British the invasion of
Upper Canada, the re-occupation Of Detroit and the
capture of Procior's army on the river Thames, in
lsl3 under General Harrison, (who stated in his
report to the War Department, that Captain Butler
faithfully performed his duty; whereas he was major
in the line and staff also; but being sick at the time it
was made, he only saw the copy after the report
was sent off, He served also at Pensacola, and in
the several engagements before New Orleans in 1914
and 1915, as acknowledgement of the army, and
throughout the Seminole war Of 1918, under Gen.
Jackson; and, as commissioner, received East Flor.
| ida from Spain in 1921. He was subsequently APP
pointed surveyor general of Florida; and when his
successor took his place, during the last admins
tration, Col. B, received him with all the courtesy
which became gentleman. In two days, he had
1.l.r ii a6a he had Ian topA
retired to the country, he sent polite invitation to
his successor to visit "Citizen" Robert Butler. Mr.
| Conway resigns the office on the 30th September,
to give place to Col Butler, who is now restored by
President Polk. Such are few of the incidents at
tending the life of an officer who very much re-
speced for his gallantry, and of gentleman who is
highly esteemed, and concerning whom the follow
ing anecdote is told:
| Colonel b. under mistake, have seen
above, received breret as lieutenant colonel-a
compliment which was intended to be paid him, on
the supposition that he was previously only a
captain. 1t turned out, however, that he was
already colonel, instead of being captain. 81 be-
leved" (says the Colonel, at subsequent period Of
his life "that had returned this breve commission:
such was my intention. l expostuated against it
at the time, and afterwards through General Jack
son, to President Monroe. Many years after, l
found it among my papers, and then transmitted 1t
to the War Office, with a statement of the facts to
the Adutant General, requesting it might be can
celled on the book of registry. The subject I'M
derwent the ordeal Of the Attorney General, the
brevet commission of lieutenant colonel was
cane eled, and the then President gave official
| Il oc, IL,
tersigned by the Attorney General, as Secretary of
War ad interim. The length of time which had
elapsed precluded the President (he sad from Civ
ing me any further relief constitutionally."
This certificate was signed by "Andrew jack
son !" and countersgned by "B. F. Butler Secretary
of War ad interim" 1t is, perhaps the last official
act of General Jackson's administration. The doc
umen is curious in ITSELF and is rendered more SO by
the peculiar circumstance Of its being the final act
of his administration. It was enrolled on parch-
ment, and afterwards copies Of it were printed off
by Colonel Butler himself We have one of these
copies before us and now, whilst the fact of his
oration to Office in Florida is fresh in the recollec-
ton of our readers, we lay before them the follow
ing characteristic paper:
Whereas, it appears by the records of the War
Department, that the LIST day of July, 1915, the
President of the United States conferred Adutant
General Robert Butler, late meritorious officer of
the army having, by virtue of his said Office of adj
utant general, the rank of colonel by brepef, the
brere of lieutenant colonel for and in consideration
of his "gallant conduct during the siege of New Or
leans, and uniform attention to his duty in the ar
my, y in words and language as follows to witt
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF
\ AMERICA, s.,..
To all ,oho shall see these presents, greeting:
Know we, that do hereby confer on Major
Robert Butler, of the army Of the United States,
the rank Of lieutenant colonel by brevet in said army,
to rank as such from the twenty-third day Of De-
cember in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and fourteen, for gallant conduct during the
siege Of New Orleans, and uniform attention to his
duty as an officer in the said army. And do
strictly charge and require all officers and soldiers
under his command, to obey and respect him ac-
cordngly; and he is to observe and follow such or.
ders and directions, from time to time, as he shall
receive from me- the future Presidents of the Uni-
ted States of America, and other officers set
him, according to law, and the rules and discipline
of war. This commission to continue in force
during the pleasure of the President of the United
Statcsfo the time being.
Given under my hand at the city of Washing
ton, this first day Of July, in the year of our
f.. s.. Lord one thousand eight hundred and IF
teen, and in the thrty-ninth year of the in
: dependence Of the United States of America
JAMES MADISON.
By the President,
A. ]. DALLAS, Acting Secretary Of War.
And ,chesas it appears that the said Col. Butler
was the adjutan general of the division of the army
employed in the defence of New Orleans, which met
and defeated the enemy on the 9Th January, 1915,
at which time this gallant officer actually held the
rank of colonel by brevct, and in which he per-
formed all the appropriate duties of the grade,
officer Of the general staff of the army and cherea,
the said Colonel Butler has returned to the War OF
fee the aforementioned commission Of lieutenant
colonel by brevet, and requested the same to be
cancelled because he considers it then virtually
reducing his rank of full colonel to that of the ne-
ror grade of lieutenant colonel and Dhereas the Pres
idcnt, in consideration of the premises, would now
gladly confer on this highly deserving citizen the
higher breve [of brigadier general if, after the
lapse of so many years, he believed he could con.
sttutonaly, legally, exercise at this time such