The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-08-21

act lha hey were done at the expense OF the loss OF
and emoiamens which he will receive as general aud
spite OF tue strong ties OF the tender
%nlcn apeaea powerfully 10 him 10 sacrifice hs
" pa'iouo avy " the claims OF home and family.
And that his appointment was not solicited by his
political fnendss ia order to get him out Of the way OF
yourself from the fact that he was in nobody,s way
General Pierce was, by his voluntary act private
citizen. Within the space Of 1--WE years. be had volun
anly resigned the ONCE OF U. 3 senator In which he
bad achieved envabe reputation. Within the term
Of three years he had refused the appointment OF u s.
SENATOR voluntarily rendered TO him by the OF
New Hampshire, 10 I'LL the une2pired term OF Judge
woodbury. And one year ago he declined the Office OF
Attorney General of The United States and in the
ntimaing. in his letter 10 Mr. Polk declining this tempt
ing offer, that he should again be voluntarily
aied IRON his family Tor considerable length OF ime
except az NE call Of his country IA time Of lca."
But while he steadily refused all Office for himself he
was, II possible, ardent and liberal In the APP
preparation OF his time and means than ever in sup
port OF the democratic and in promoting the inter-
ests oil his political friends Therefore, the latter had
motive whatever to desire his dshonoable Punishment,
as you have the hardihood TO intimate but, the
rary, they had every motive 10 wish that he might re-
main and continue TO give the powerful aid oil his elo
quenee and his uniirng energy to the Of his
Try and to his friends at home And such, believe,
were the feelings OF the democracy OF New Hampshire,
without solitary exception, when became known that
deeply regretted his rssosiion although they appasded
the honorable and patriotic motive which prompted IT,
Ys M hss s see that you have no
cal friends for the purpose OF putting him genteeily
aside" Gen. Pierce could have been made the
dupe OF trick base and bald and the man who had
attempted it would have much greater hazard than
he who has the temery to manufacture and put into
circulation
Your next allegation against Gen Pierce and the only
remaining which deem il necessary to notice, ~,
that he refused TO accep. the geneashp unless he re-
.aions for man and hor, IN advance Which, exaord
nary II may appear, and unprecedented In the army,
granted, and paid TO him before he mounted his
As this charge true would affect very seriously the
honor of Gen. Pierce have taken particular pains to
ascertain whether or not there was the least color Of ac
found upon and, extraordinary il may appear
find 10 be utterly groundess and gratuitous although
such allowances not unprecedented in the army,"
as you will see BY the following correspondence;
PATENT OFFICE, Washington. Sept. 20, ls47
SIR In the Philadelphia Saturday Courier OF September
4th stated Brigader General Pierce refused
accept his appointment unless he received with his
mission months u and rations for asd horse IN
advaace which, extraordinary as may appear, and
precedented in the army granted and paid him be-
fore he mounted his charger"
Believing the of the Saturday Courier be
false and unwarranabe libel pom Pierce and
string to brand it such, have request that you
would inform whether not General Pierce before he
would accept his commission, demanded six months fall
and ations for man and horse in advance whether
the paid and allowed him when he received
his commission land if so whether il contrary
to the usage of the department in all similar cases7
Perhaps should say you that design the in
formation which have above requested, publicly in
dcaon Of the character OF General PIERCE il necessary
have the honor be- very respectfully. your obedient
servant, EDMUND BURKE.
Hon. WILLIAM L. MARCY. Secretary Of War,
Washington, D. c.
WAR DEPARTMENT., Washington Sept q, ls47.
SIR reply your the 10th instant stating that
ii has been alleged in newspaper publication that Brga
dier General Pierce had demanded and received adj
of six months pay and ratons condition prior
the ptance of his commission have the honor
form you that such allegation dsfifne Of truth. Gen.
Perce's acceptance of his commission was, usual
tirely Internationally and advance could be made
him without ORDER which has been given asked
for Such advances may be legally made at the discretion
OF the Executive, and occasionally ordered to officers
employed distant service, whore payments cannot be
effected with regularity.
Very respectfully, your obeden servant.
W. l.. MARCY.
Hon. Ed. BURKE, Washington city.
Thus is your second allegation affecting the character
OF Gen Pierce proved in the emphatic language Of the
Secretary OF War, to be " destitute Of truth
Your reflections upon the character of Gen Pierce as
military man, the unprecedenedy successful march Of
his brigade and army train OF two miles in length
from Vera Cruz Puebla without the loss OF single
man. although b.set by guerllas nearly the whole dis
lance and his gallant and brilliant conduct in the late bat
ties before the walls OF Mexico render it for
me to notice particularly They will pass for what they
worth with just and patriotic people.