Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-01-16
rpIpI1TE TO GALLANTRY.


Chesterfield, Higgerson Hancock Esq. stated 10
the court, that pursuant 10 an order ofthe citizens oil
The county, sword had been procured for pre-
sen,a,iop 10 Capt Edward Johnson, OF the United
State, Army, and desired The court 10 suspend
farther proceedings (Which they readily acceded
my r. enable Or. Samuel A. PatIeson, who was
cslei on, 10 discharge that duty-Whefeupon,
n. paurson arose and addressed Capt Johnson
astollows: o,e,,
,an,ain Johnson: The citizens OF Chesterfield
have deyolysd upon me The very agreeable duty
nj conveying IL you The sentiments oil pleasure
AMI pride with which they contemplate your
Militant and successful career IN The iaie Cam
naon in Mexico. DESTROYS OF affordins you
some enduring evidence oflheir high appreciation
of ,our services, they have procured, and desired
roeio present 10 you sword, as an emblem most
fl md proper 10 commemorate soldiers deeas.
Unn its hill yoa'l fad engraved the coat OF arms
of cur glorious old comnonw wealth, WIN her ever
memorable motto 'sfc semper fyranB, whist on
il, scabbard You'll md the names, me names
al,ne. Of some OF The more important 0atles
in which it was your fortune 10 acl nooie
nsr,-Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo Churuouscu,
Valioo del Rev, ChapuIlepec, City OF Mexico
hss( chronicle OF evc1Is that will serve 10 swell
n, mage Of our country's history and render still
nnr. iustrious the American name. Napoleon
=, nreseniina brace of pistols 10 Gen. MoTeau,
rmarked ha, he would have had his victories
murayed thereon, had there been space sufficient
u word them-anolher such campaign as your
ast and the same might be said 10 you, Tor Al
pady do the number and magnitude OF your bat
es constitute you, though JUNIOR 10 years, a
veteran in arms
Did time and the occasion permit Gas they dc
M, ! i woud he idle in civilian like me, 10 in
du,oe in ruloey on services that have already re-
ce,ved The highest praise. On the bloody fed Of
Cnapultspec. surrounded by the elite oil Inc army
the martial music of The car-piercins HE and
soul-s,ifring drum-the din and changer oil oatlir
-,he rattle oil musketry-the roar Oh Inc deep
mouthed cannJn-and the SIoans Of Inc Wounueu
and dying-at such lime-in sucn scene-youi
qalIan,ry and Stern bravery, as you Your CO.
Iuma 10 the assault, attracted Inc at'enlioh, aho
ol,c,ed the commentator OF the first comm indel
ofihe ace, as worthy of especial dis'inction-c
mendalion high enough 10 satisfy The most arden
amblicn-happily recognized by The Cael Exec
u,;ya Of the nation in advancing your rank; ant
ast though not least, in pleasureable emotion
am sure 10 a generous spirit like yours, in e1c'
ting this icslimon ,eis il inoseSm IRON
-, 49, m -. !u:.-.y ~.-.-:sh yonr rcDu
| taiion and lame.
] commit il 10 your hands with The conflden
assurance, that il will never be drawn, save Il
protect The rights or defend The honor OF our com
mon country, and that when drawn in such
cause, it will never be sheathed unlIl her right
| are secured and her honor vindicaed.
CAPTAIN JoHNsoN's REPLY.
This splendid sword, which you have been ap
| pointed to lender me as coming from my fellow
citizens OF Chesterfield county, and The fatierin!
4 ,,:, ,,h; ,h h.u hoo, n god I,
present it, fill me with emotions which find
difficult fully 10 express. | find myself here 10
the first time in my life, by the invitation OF IN,
| counlymen, 10 receive al their hands this gilt, a
a testimonial of their regard, and as an evidence
OF their appreciation Of my humble services II
! the late war with Mexico. | fcar sir, that have
| done bul little 10 mer; so distinguished an honor
| aud that am indebted for this elegant and appro
| pirate present more 10 the noble generosity ant
partially Of my fellow CITIZENS, Than 10 any rea
| merit OF my own. hope duly appreciate thi
gift; but il is not its Intrinsic value that CHR fl
prizs-no sir; ii is The spirit which promptei il
of which feel 50 justly proud. Next 10 the sat
siaction OF knowing that, in our recent struggle
with Mexico, | endcavored TO discharge my duty
10 The best Of my ability, is The pleasing refsc
lion, that my conduct has met with the warm an
ptoval of those whose COOL opinion ! so highly
cSictin. ms SWOIu ~ dH tFiueHCe VI tHtlI dI-
probation oimy conduct. The inscription upor
The blade speaks eloqnently 10 that effect.
Sir | feel more than repaid Tor The tolls and
dangers through which | have passed, by this
evidence OF The gratitude AMI kindness Of my
cuunym-u. Til" soliic: who returns from The
field OF strife and finds that his fellow.cizens
have not forgotten him, but that they are ready
and willing to do him honor, feels that his high
est aspirations his fondes, hopes are realized
Such are my feelings on this occasion. Be As.
sured, sir, that shall wear this elegant weapon
with pride and with a fond recollection OF the
people of my native county; that J shall carry il
with Inc through life, and that | shall ever point
IL IL with proud satisfaction.
hope thai may never draw it. save in &C.
fence Of the honor and integrity OF our common
country and hat may never sheath il with any
stain Of dshonor 10 ,ully the brightness OF its
blade. trust that no act OF mine will ever Cause
my eilow.countymen, who have thus nobly come
forward and presented me with this splendid gift
10 blush for their misplaced senerc sity. beg leave
through you, sir. 10 return my most h artiel!
thanks 10 my iellow-ci,izens OF Chesterfield for
this elegant sword.
P. S The proceedings upon The delivery OF
The sword were ordered by tho Conr TO be entered
on The journal.