Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-06-26
General Gaines.

/ we WISH 10 give our IesiuclS hulllC IiolSHt INV
The rich and racy correspondence between Gene
raj Gaines and The War Experimentation il is
out of the question 10 publish The whole OF what
| fills "any numl er" Of columns OF The Union
We therefore take from The New York Courier
and Enquirer, Wing paper, what seems 10 be
correct summary of these extraordinary docu-
men,s We would not take particle Of credit
from the venerable soldier, who has done the
State much service. Blu, all will agree, Ina, no
vslor, however brilliant, or services however
valuable can justly The sacred instrument Of the
Constitution bein. uihed with. Ii subordi-
mare be permitted 10 sci up for himself, and op-
nose the plans and movements OF the highest au-
,hori,ies. all order and system are al an end, and
confusion and disaster must ehsue. IL seems
that no, only cid General Gaines act wiithout or
ders, but he acted in direct d'obedtcnce TO orders.
General TAYLOR wa, authorized 10 call for troops.
General Gaines was positively directed 10 alb
stain from all interference with him. Taylor had
already called for troops sufficient TO relieve him
IRON The pressure Of danger. Is il any excuse,
,hrn, for General Gaines, that he violated orders,
and made additional demands Tor troops, TO meet
crisis which Taylor himself had provided
againsl7
Blu; 10 The summary, whose omissions we have
supplied, IN few points,
|. A statement from The War Depa rtment
shows that Gen. Gaines, OF hi, own moon, and
without The slightest authority from The Govern
| mont. called out a volunteer force OF above II,
0uO men. Tor active service in the war with
| Mexico.
.. A number Of letters are taken up in the
communication, by Gen Gaines, 10 the War De-
| naumept. OF what he has done, the Department
meantime enclosing 10 him The orders sent 10
| Gen. TAYLOR and informing him at The same
! lime Thai very much had been lett 10 the discre-
zion OF General Taylor, and that II was expected
ina, General Gaines would Go, within his own
command. what might be needul and proper, 10
carry oul General Tdylpr's views when made
Lnnwr 10 him. In sanguinc leller, daled Au-
onsr % ls45, alter speaking al some length Of
| Ihe stale Of affairs on the frontier, Gen Gaines
reopeslsd authority 10 assemble upon The Rio
C;rande. by The 10Th OF November, $50 Joiaj,ons
NJ mounted gun men, which, together with the re-
sular force, would ''enab.e US, he said, "in ali
The mun.h OF November next, TO Visit Inc city OF
Mexico; and, aeI placing that ancient city IN
der he protection OF the slarspangled banner OF
the U0ion. we shall be able and willing 10 give
The Mex,cans peace on terms that will secure
| their civilization, scli-government, and iulure
! ha ppness. and their love and gratitude forever"
| He adds, in a pareDlhesis, that 50 bauaons
| wuul! be Sufficient
3. In another and very long letter, dated
Sep. > he enters into very famolin. explana-
! ton oil The grounds TN which be asked Tor This
authority. lie thought The proposed force would
soon cure The awful Mexican malades of anar-
chy and despolism, and deprecated the repetition
| r1.dh Ioa -
of the laws OF war, COMMITTED, 100, by high pub
lie tuncionari,s, civil and military" (promnent
nfice-hun candidates for the Presidency, &c)
| He proceeds 10 denounce ''our bureau system"
which gives the bureau chiellain power TO destroy
any one whom he pleases, by secretly charging
him with insanity or mutiny, and constantly d.
crosses into remarks, historical and critical, upon
| Inc Florida war, and upon the proper course 10
be pursued in case OF war with England. The
| concentration Of The force which he asks upon
the Mexican frontier, he thinks, would be advsa-
BILE even if there is to be no war. He says, "it
will be an act Of mercy and great utility 10 every
Mexican, and TO every Yankee soldier Of The
Union, who meet and commune together as il
| will enable them 10 become better acquainted
and teach each other what all their future inter.
ests demand that they should lore ono another, as
all good neishbors are required by the Scriptures
todo."
he linen proceeds 10 speak OF nlmSelf PERSONAL
| ly, saying that he 10 three years younger than
| Butcher was in his last action near Waterloo;
that he has not been sick, nor unable 10 march
90 or ride 40 miles day, This year; that tor 25
years he has not been confined TO his room for
three days in any one year; that he has used
every effort 10 avail himself of all modern i'm
provemen,s and discoveries in The art OF war;
that he thinks himself possessed Of as much per-
sonal efficiency and more mental ability 10 COM
mand The proposed expedition 10 the City OF Mex
leo, and thence, il necessary, 10 California or the
| lshmus OF Panama or both" than he possessed
in 1914 when sent 10 Canada tina, he was 68
years of age on the Goth oil March, that he is the
only U. States soldier living who ever won
battle at the head OF division over British ar
my; and that under these circumstances he claims
as a night The command OF the expedition. He
goes on to say that he has good reason TO be-
leve that his claims will be opposed BY Gen.
Sro,l, his junior, who has labored for quarter
Of century, with far more zeal 10 cover him
with ca!umny ard defeat his efforts 10 be employ
ed in any service likely 10 rebound 10 the saiely
and glory Of The country, than he has ever labor
ed 10 provide for The national defence, ard 10 de-
ia, The invading foe" He appeals 10 The Presi-
dent for decision which will prove, that
"The rights olhe unprslsnd,ng soldier, always
found upon the frontier when menaced ty wars,
will be as much respected as those OF tie political
sGessaas long accustomed TO csinse and crouch