The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-07-02
GENERAL. GAINES

The President laid before the Senate tho fol-
lowing letter from General Gaines to the Depart
ment of War, which was read and ordered to be
printed
HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DIvIsroN.)
New Orleans, June 7th, 1886
DIR - have to acknowledge the honor of
your letter of the 28th May-last month.
1t was with surprise learned the Department
of War regarded with dsapprobation the request
made by me upon the Governors Of Kentucky.
and other States, for assistance At the time il
was made, (the 4th of May last,) Gen. TAYLOR
was IN the most critical situation He had been
left with neither adequate means nor men, to sus-
tain the national honor-opposed to an army near
four times as strong as his own, and cut off from
his military stores. The country was UNCERTAIN
whether he could escape destruction. By his
own gallantTy, and the indomitable courape of
his officers and men, and the Providence of God
ne extIicated himself from the difficulty AT
this crisis he requested troops TO be sent TO him
with all possible despatch AS commander of
this division of the United States Army, mme-
diately sought the means of meeting his wishes.
And would have deemed myself Yecrsant 70 nv
trust, and merlted dismissal from the service. if I
had postponed action on the subject for two weeks.
until orders could have been received from Wash
ington.
The War Department may deem The number
o' troops asked oy me as greater than the exgen-
cy required. This must confess would aston
lsh me, as the War Department asked and pro-
cured bill authorizing the levy Of so 900 yolun-
teers, and spproprating (sl0.000,C1 ten mil
lions to meet The same exigency.
The War Department seems to be Of opinion
that iheTe is no discretionary power lodged in me
ia act without sitiye orders. therefore, would
ask Tor IRloTmsioD-ifa seTViIe insurrecton should
occoT-lf an Eruption should be made by large
tribes OF lndisnS--if swarm Of steamers, with
Pslxhsn guns, were seen lowering about this
ses'eossl--of II general, at tho head of great
part Of the army Of the United States upon the
fTeniler OF neghborng Stale near me, should
ask assistance, would IL be my duty 10 refuse all
ald nnlll should have received orders from Wash.
lnglon bumbly conceive that the latter case
has existed within The last month and IL have
erred 10 daeming Geo. Taylor and his army in
situation 90 hazardous as 10 demand immediate
sueeoT, u 10 on error under which the country, the
Congress, and the War Department, have equal.
" lsbafed, Had assislsbes been delayed by me,
snd bad Gen Taylor and his army been CO. on,
! would have regarded 10 40 IN i0dslibls stigma
9po1 NY name an aware that the exercise Of
sseh discretion must over be az the peril Of tie
oflssT exercising IT, That peril csn Rsyef hes
late ~ lseqI whenever she welfare Of The eoun
W. demands ~ u exercise IL sngisely. an
ullllng lhsl ny commission should b 6flslad ,
o. " exercise y Ssialy, ~ kT aisboaofsble puJ.
poses ! am Hiilng 20 abide she consequences of
my eseduel w lhis matter, ooahdssl 81 / sm thst
hsFs e9' ifsAsesadsd @y dggy, o. aslsd uilh
Efsslel kssi lhsb ihs sissFgsaey isqaifsd IL the
bsilss ~ ne 80 sna 1ih ~ Asy, e. sell COO
's''ss |" 'hsg wfs - Tine, % both sidss,