Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1847-03-18

Hs/t<sI SfiIs rtsisss1 u appo;ni M.
Bslte,{ fke Chez C5mm1Adef Of r.,
,l,ny-l- Tl.e Major GsnsrnI's Cen.
n Ws1kingiss papers etnisia eorrss
postrscs kIissen he Freshest nd M,i Gen
b.slsa. 4 Nhi<h ~ ln,iel clsinsi q eo,di
slss e ~ {scspisace - 10 49, 81 Nsjsr c.
ssrsf iksl bs y ciosket ei:k fell psssts 8 s.
xstiaier ~ chief eonnas1sr efosr fs.esr Il
Nsries. hIsIihe Psssiissi very ,ousetIy r.
fs,st = tss phen ~ Bestoe tkseu 10 Bis sen
ani,sslss =. Major General, and ts.srni.ed 1.
1ei,is NJ sisi i ~ ssstis.A
Leiin Jttin - Bsnfon 10 fGs Psssi5.nf
FAsHIEoTon. March 9. 1917.
Sin: Without uai,i6g Tor ,he lorm.I,,,
pf hang isFetented With the commis.iou
of Mjor GsaersLin tho army 81 The Uni.
ted sisiet ] think il right 10 fniorm you
q once that my seeeptsnce Or refusal oI
thpt high pppointment viii depend entire
" upon The public and National consider.
piious. (Which you. yourself. viii Be The
tadge. Reisonslly / can have no wi.h
for this ojice; but II you believe thai
can Be d sny service 10 the country. /
em uiilink % lofeeo sllprivsie coz sider.
aiioss-sbd separate nyseli from my 70.
miiy ayar psinful circumstances: re-.
lien ~ faaes 10 The Ssasie, which 10 90
dear 70 mf-apd proceed inmsdisteIy 10
The tAeaifs 81 var. Ny only stipulation
uosia BE- fos ths powers which / deem
neeesasry. 70 success; and these would Be
10Th military and diplomaiie--ihe com
mand of.lhe army and authority 20 sign
preliminssies 81 peace. based upon terms
psesioasli approved BY you.
beg Nog 10 believe. sir. thai nothing
selfsh q petsonsi dictates this proposed
siipulstioh. There 10 90 such thing .in
II. II Proceeds from thorough convic
tion that. with . subordinate command
I could d. no good IN The army: on the
contrary. that my pseseace there would
be improper add mischievoEs.; forI am
known. By my public speeches. 10 di,ap.
prove The plsas. both Of the late and pres
eni con d % der--ihe defensive policy Of
one and lhe San Juan Of UIua attack OF
me othe9; sne this being known my
pfesence would operate % 90 Implied
oaassfs 4n the two generals. and mig b,
mske me- 10 spite Of myself The nucleus
81 discoiilent and Standardization. The
csmnand pflhe army. therefore. Is the
odly nili,Ty Position which, could bold
IN Il.
Authority 10 conclude 4 PEACE. or .,
least 10 sign the preliminsIies Of peace. /
deem highly easentisl to success, a. il
would eHable the cnm nanfier-in. chief 10
lake insSan, advantage Of ell passing e.
vents. sie'ssy q political, q close The
Erraiihe6 with these powers, Il am
uillipg N make the sscti6ces. and 10 incur
the responsibilities Of this high CON 70 and
but Iisave il TO you. sir. Tor yonf fee
and 6aaf decision; siIeTing tia. q ma
tionl qpeslian, and . new one. on which
there 10 npi commitment. on either side,
10 any thing tia, hes passed
Whatever may, be the ne cfsion. my
thanks and gianipde will mol be tie less
10 you iar your Unsolicited nomination Of
s@e 70 this high appointment. NOR 10 the
Senate fpr lis ins,sn, and unanimous con-
iEtns,ien gift. nor 70 the House Of Rep
.ressntatisesfor its three times virtual cleo.
,iioa OF me 10 be the commander In-chief
81 the army 10 Mexico,
81 Resbsc,fplly. sir.
;Soss frtand and
fellnw- CITIZEN.
THOMAS IL. BENTON.
To The; PKEetpsxr.s