The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-05-06

TO the OTQcr TO organize
Of troops that can be ia time for that
most important expedition" Uhe expedition against
Vera Crus).
sented to the Secretary Of War before leaving Washing
that arrangements far completed that GU
thought It best to proceed at once to the army IN Mex
leo; and yet you make your opening charge against
the department, that you were forced away to Mexico
before you had time for necessary preparations
present the next charge In your own language:
ri banded to you written request that Of three
Of our accomplished captains therein named, might be
appointed ,.;.ans 1dusnt with t tho ran. OF
vacancy, at the time, for ono My REQUEST has never
been attended to- snd thus have had officer OF the
Adjutsnt Generals Department with me In the cam
pa,gp. Can another instance be cited OF denying TO
general In chief in the field OF the head Of large army
or even small one-the selection Of his chl,f on tn
staff that Is tbs chief In tho department Oh orders anu
oorrespopdencef"
We're the precisely you have stated 1t to be-
complaint to the Prssidents refusal to DO controlled in
his exercise Of the appointing power, by your wishes
Had there been vacancy such Is you mention ior one
OF tho accom- lished captains" you named, no one
knows better thss you do that request could not
have been acoeded to without departing from the uni
form rule Of selection for staff appointmentc without
violating tho right OF several officers to regular promo.
ton, and Offering indsnity to all those who nel1 the
position OF assistant adjutants general with the RANK OF
captain. The rule Of regular promotion In the SIAN Is
rs infexble, and has been uniformly observed, ss
that In the line. Ii must appear surprising that you
suggestion Of appointing, by authority Of Congress,
citizen lieutenant general" vestng the PRESIDENT
with power to devolve the command OF tho army on
major general without regard priority In the date OF
his commission, should In your first r,ques sher Dsing
assigned to command ask the President to dsresra inc
rights Of At least four officers meritoioas rs the
three accomplished" captains named by you The Pre-
sidents views this subject undoubtedly differ from
yours His regard for the rights OF officers not gra'
duated by their rank Those of captains and major &C.
neras have equal value In his estimation and an equal
claim to his respect and protection cannot admit toat
1t IL just ground Of censure and rebuke against the
head Of the War Department" that the Presidsnt old
not A. in order to crafty your feelings OF fevor
ism, to disregard the claims and violate the rights o all
the assistant general Of the rank Of captain,
then in commission.
But, so far rs 1t Is made ground Of complaint and
reproo this 10 not the worst aspect Of this case You
entirely mistaken In the assertion that there was
then vacancy IN re adjnant generals stan with the
rank Of major to which either of tbs captains recon-
mended by you could have been properly appointed
There such vacancy To show the correctness OF
this statement and to demonstrate your error appeal
to the Army Register and The records OF the ASutant
Generals Ofics Your mistake ~ to an OBVIOUS fact
lying within the range Of matters with whien you are