The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-13


vaor brilliant feature in your character But can
not, in the discharge of the duty imposed upon me BY
the Legislature forego few brief illusions to some OF
the interesting incidents which crowd your history Al
an early age, General amidst the gloomy sohtudes OF
the Far West and against the willy savages OF our forest
you received your first lessons in the profession upon
which you have since reflected much lusre. Under
these trying circumstances Of frontier warfare, you first
began to attract the approving smiles OF your country
men men The exciting drama Of Fort Harrison revealed
those rare traits OF military charactehat courage and
ervid PATRIOTISM which In time, under more genial IN
iuence, and more extended scene OF action have
united in forming, in beautiful harmony, the model oil
"Years rolled on The soldiers of our country reposed
on their arms. The rainbow of peace encirced our
had but few occasions display the military virtues OF
which you had given such brilliant illustration at Fort
Harrison You had arrived at the full maturity of years
when sagacous government, remembering the valor
and skill OF your youthful deeds, selected you the
proper leader OF our troops in the uncertain and vexa
uoqs war against the savage dsniyens Of the hammocks
bee redeemed the honor OF our arms and oberated the
memory OF pravious msfortunes. The vicissudes and
trying scenes Of Indian warfare did not fail distinctly and
clearly to mark your character military man, and to
pave your way for still higher distinctions on more
suitable theatre of action The OF your great
military experience and valor not destined to rust
IN useless and ingor0us inactivity. Occasions Tor Their
full exercise and development could not long be delayed
'When Texas rose and asserted her Liberties, We the
IDLE the o ssv
thes and prayers to the of stray countrymen
who thus boldly proclaimed American Independence in
foreign land and when she achieved her freedom and
ask ed to add her own brilliant Star to the galaxy Of our
Union, could not ultimately resist the prompting OF
nature and reject our returning relative Thus the ea
lone star wheeled into position and mingled her bright
with the blaze of federal constellation Then
the speck of began to be visible in the distance and
growing darker and bigger, soon settled with lowering
aspect upon the western verge of our newyacqured ter
ritory. Some regarded merely momentary mirage
mere vapor which would soon pass away. Others
Nf hDofrf
and this belief, growing into apprehension impressed our
government with of its duty to anticipate any
vason of our territory, or any indgny to our national
character.
"a and bright prospect opened TO the military
ambition Of the country Hence the organization of that
noble band of heroes, the army OF occupation For its
designated YOU In the duties of that command you visit
ed our city two years and half ago. and well do
member the friendly greeting i and sod we
through city, and departed for the distant of
your duties with the unequaled, but subdued esteem of
virtues, and sodery qualities The striking contrast Of
your reception yesterday told tale OF glory and great
deeds more eloqlently than tongue can tell or pen de-
scribe. In the public and enthusiastic manifestation OF
yesterday all classes OF our people participated The
ladies-God bless them Those ministerng angels, so
quick to discover and so to reward deeds OF noble
daring who, every age and clme have failed
to honor merit and virtue with their approving smiles.
srewed your path yesterday with garlands, and shower
ed upon your venerable head the fragrant tokens of their
greeted your coming and encirced your progress was
moved and tossed to and fro by emotions too deep for
utterance
But returning from this depression, General as the COM
mander OF the army OF occupation you stepped more
expanded theatre OF operations involving responsibilities
of more serious naure-nvoyng the vast issue of war
and peace General, in this difficult trust, you proved
equal to the exgencles OF every occasion The sequel of
your efforts fully justified the confidence OF the govern
the moment you took the command of the army, the pub
lie eye was fixed upon your movements with daily in
creasng interest But few OF peoples then anticipated
open upture and but few were prepared for the bold
demonstrations by which Mexico brought the conflict
And when the alarming reached u.s. the startling
intelligence represented your little army, General
dctive foes that the line OF communications with your
depot Of supplies was broken up and the whole country
swamed with wellarmed and deying troops OF the hos
tile republic.
''When this intelligence reached us, fell upon our
city and country like great public calamity BUNDLED
our national pde and elevated IDEAS Of the character
and prowess OF our enemy But one sentiment pervaded
our whole communy it was to organize force to send
to the relief Of our imperilled army. You called me-
unteers called upon the people, and Immediately there
general rush of all classes of citizens arms
The legislature of State rushed into their halls to act
and mol to speak; and in shorter time than have taken
relate the fact they had voted three hundred thousand
dollars out of the States treasury to equip and organize
these regiments Instead Of four, bleso great
This successful appeato the people had the effect OF lend
ing quckenng impulse to the action OF thegenera gov
eminent, and OF kndlng enthusiasm among the peo-
pie which, IN so short tme has organized great army
cat that dark and alarming period we had not the epic
incident of Buena Vista tell us that Gen Taylor never
surrendered. The only hope which sustained us rested
the opporune arrival of The regiments sent from this
city 1t was believed that troops would have to fight
their way as as they landed on the shore But,
alas the brave Lousianians did not arrive in time
win those aures for which they 30 ardenty pant
ed The painful suspense and anxiety which held
our people spell-bound, for some days, was at last
eved and disspated The sounds of victory boom
ing the breeze and shot an electric Joy through the
national heart. Your none then, General, became
ISOLATED with deeds of immortal renown--deeds that ee-
waited the character of nation, and added new and
brilliant pages to the records Of our glory.
at memorial of these great deeds that it was
deemed fit and proper that the legislature of the State of
your adoption should manifest its appreciation of your
virtues by some appropriate Acknowledgements Their
congatulatory resolutions have already had the honor
to communicate you. And that you have return
ed to the bosom of your home respite from your trying
tois-now that you enjoying and receiving the APP
pause of people by whom you loved and admired
am afforded an opportunity of carrying out more fully
the wishes OF the legislature by presenting you with this
sword small token of the high sense entertained by
the representatives of the people of Louisiana of your
military and civic virtues. so#
cit is not appropriate that should attempt this
son to extend and complete the history of your services
illustrated at the bloody storm of Monterey the
will be my pleasing duty in obedience to the
instructions of the legislature to refer particularly
to these exploits, .
ain presenting this memorial of the respect and adira
ton of the legislature of Louisiana, feel General, an
Overwhelming of the deficiency of language appro-
pirate such occasion. You know too well, Cen
eral how and when to use the sword and well assured
xk-vx - l.