American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-06-27

efal TO the secretary OF War, dated June 18th
in reply to the several reprimands of the Sc
cretary, is written in spirited language and in
truly patriotic tone. He says, that had he
declined to send troops to the aid of General
Taylor, he'would have deemed himself "recreanl
to his trust, and merting dismissal from the
service" In reference to the authority which
he exercised, in calling upon the Governors Of
States for volunteers, he says:
"The War Department seems to be of opin-
ion that there is no discretionary power lodr-
ed in me to act without positive orders. |
therefore would ask, for information, if SER
vile instruction should occur; if an Eruption
should be made by large tribes of Indians; if a
swarm of steamers, with Paixhan guns, were
| seen lowering about this seaCoast or if Gen
efal, at the head of great part of the army of
| the United States upon the frontier of neigh
boring State near me, should ask assistance,
would it be my duty to refuse all aid until |
should have received orders from Washington
| humbty conceive that the latter case has ax-
listed within the last month; aud 4. have erred
in deeming General Taylor and his army in
situation so hazardous as to demand immediate
sucCor, it is an error under which the country,
the Congress, and the War Department have
equally labored. Had assistance been DELAYED
by me, and had General Taylor and his army
been cut off, would have regarded it as an
indelible stigma upon my name. | am aware
that the exercise of such discretion must ever
be at the peril of the officer exercising it. That
peril can never hesitate to incur whenever
the welfare of the country demands it. If
exercise it unwisely, am willing that my
commission shall be forfeited; or i'll exercise it
vainly, or for dishonorable purposes, am will
ling to be shot am more than willing to a.
bide the consequences of my conduct in this
matter, confident as lam that have not tran
scended my duty, or acted with greater zeal
than the emergency required. If the battles of
the Sth and 9th of May, SO we'll contested as
they were for time on both sides, had result
ed in the loss of Taylor's army, it would have
plunged the whole Union into deep mourning,
and into that most poignant Of all human
grie.s, an abiding sense Of selt-reproach for the
settled and cold indifference with which his
want of competent force and supplies had been
for months witnessed"
In the following extracts the General han
dies the Secretary with some severity:
"Bo assured, sir, that will obey with much
pleasure the orders of the President Of the Uni
ted States, according to my oath of office. As
to the reprimands with which you have honor
ed me in the last year, and in the last and pre-
sent month, although they strike me as novel
ties not being warranted by the sentence of a
general court-martial, yet | carelessly submit
to them, as they seem to be source of plea
sure to the War Department, and certainly in
flict no injury upon me. can conceive but
one motive for their frequent occurrence, and
that is, that my name shall be so banded be-
fore the country that the public may be pre-
pared to see with Indifference my name passed
by in silence if more distinguished officers are
created in the army. If this is SO, the labor is
useless, as may very soon be unable to dis
charge the active duties of my profession,
(though long in the enjoyment Of excellent
healthy for am already old of contented
disposition, and have received sufficient dis
tinctions during my humble life. Not the
least of these distinctions do regard the late
prompt ,car measures of Congress and the Pres
ident and the noble hearted Louisanans, and
the wboe-souled Western and Southern men,
in not only indirectly, but expressly, gener-
ously, and unanimously approving my conduct
in having for many months urged the adoption
of the principal measures which have recently
been carried as by reclamation.
do not wish TO have the place of any Gen
eral or other officer known to ma. !, sir, was
born at time and reared among men who had
not learned the art of marching to distinction
by tramplng under foot the claims OF their
dearest friends or brother soldiers"