The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-08-15
BY THE MAILS.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 49, 1S46
arrival of General Brady and Col Crane from the
Court Of Inquiry in the case Of General Gaines--
Mr.. Marcy-Injustice-7 Question of the Dis
banding the Louisiana Volunters-Gen Bra
dy-Overtmes to Merico.
General Brady and Colonel Crane arrived here
to-day from Point Comfort, bringing with them
the record of the trial of General Gaines, and the
finding of the Court The two officers immedi-
ately repaired to the War Department and COM
municated their decision 10 Mr.. Marcy. 1t win
be made known by the President in few days
1t is understood to be favorable to Genera
Gaines
You will find in to-day's Union, a correspon-
dence between the Secretary of War, Governor
Johnson of Louisiana, and General Taylor, con-
corning the disbandng of the Louisiana volun-
teers. Mr.. Marcy has been severely censured by
some of the New Orleans papers, but think
without reason. II is hardship to be-sure for
those brave fellows who were among the first to
volunteer, to be sent home without having any
hard knocks But il was not optional with Mr.
Secretary Marcy to keep them in service after
their terms Of enlistment had expired; and the
only alternative in his power TO offer, them he OF
fered them at once, that is, 10 enlist for twelve
months, under the act of Congress of May last
The question lies in a nutsheh-first, vas there
any law under the operation of which
he could continue them in service, after
their term OF enlistment had expiredl None
Was he justified in retaining them in service
without the authority of law2 Certainly not. In
this difficult position, he acted boldly and prompt
ly. He communicated to Gen. Taylor the non
existence OF any law by which the three months
volunteers could be retained in service. Ind in
structed HIM to offer them the choice Of two al
ternativesto enlist under the act of May last, as
twelve months volunteers or TO be disbanded. At
the same time, he ieehngly expressed his regret
at being obliged to take this step. | do not see
what other course was open for MIR. Marcy
There was the law staring him in the face He
deeply and bitterly lamented the necessity that
existed OF dsbanding the brave fellows, and
worked at the thing for long time, trying to ar
range il in such way as to retain them in SER
vice but it was impossible. The law has been
in existence since an early period oil the govern
ment, and is a foolish one at best. Ii was never
made with view to such a crisis as now exists.
But there it stands-the law-and II is not for Mr..
Marcy to gainsay it, or TO go beyond it, To blame
a man for doing his duty, under such cireum-
stances, is rank injustice.
General Brady is a grey-haired veteran of 50.
He is as straight, 1.-the, and active as a man Of
fifty. He is the oldest officer in the American
army, and need not say one of the bravest He
has a fine forehead, and his countenance is ex-
pressive of benevolence aud aniabilty. He is
as jovial and baoyant in spirits us man of two
and twenty.
As have more than once told you, no over
lures have been made by Mexico to this country.
The overtures on our side, however, are likely to
be well received. Information to this effect has
reached our government, from a private source,
which do not feel myself authorised in naming.
1t is source upon which reliance can be placed,
although it is not official A letter, as you have
been already informed has been sent, under a
flag of truce, TO Vera Cruz to be despatched there
TO the Mexican government, making friendly
overtures Meantime, the operations Of General
Taylor will proceed.
trust that the Mexican government will listen
| to the dictates Of reason, as well of .terest,
ultimately terminate in disaster to themselves.
GALvIKNsIs.