The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-09-17


| eral had bis officers and portions Of MS army on
special service under him, ordered else vhere with
out his know LEDGE that il might DO alike fatal to
| him and to the public interest committed to his
charge Nevertheless, by way Of boarding Genera;
jackson ard impressing the charge against him Of
| being mutineer Scott adds (whie admitting the
sound reason of Jscksons orders) that 8 q private
and respectful rem0nstrance, therefore, appears to
have been the only mode Of redress which circum
stances admitted Of An appeal to the army, or tho
public, before OF after such remembrance seems TO
have been greater irregularity than the measure
complained OTTO reprobate that measure publicly
rs the division order does, to mount sthl higher
in the scale of indecorum but when the order good
SO far as TO prohibit to all officers in the division.
an obedience TO the commands Of the President of
the United States unless received through division
headquarters, 1t appears to me that nothing but
mutiny and defiance can BIO understood or in
tended y
In thus throwing down the gauntlet to General
jackson, the champion forgot that no was not deal
ing with General Wilkinson Jackson took it up re-
solved to bring it to decisive arbitramen, or. at
least, togive new schooling to Scott in his mill
tary department and moral principles.
He asks Scott, in reply -
Pray sir does your recollection serve' In what school
q philosophy were you taught that to better nqurng
into the nature Of supposed inquiry clothed in lam
guagc decorcus and unexceptonabe should be
given couched In ponpous nsolenos and bullying
sion? had hoped that what was charged upon you by
an anonymous correspondent unfounded; hoped
from the belief that General Scott . soldier and
gentleman but when these statements d scty con.
hrned by his words it becomes matter Of laury
how far of honorable feelings reconcile them
to himself longer to set up claim 10 that character Arc
you iguorBn, fir that had my order at which your
fined Judgment 20 extremely touched been made the
subject Of inquiry you might from your standing not
your character have been constituted Of judges
How very proper then il thus situated and without
any knowledge Of any of the attendant circumstances
for you to have preudged the whole matter This diff
rept times and in the circle Of your friends you could
do; and yet had been arrsigned and you detailed As
under fair exterior you would have the hOIs
sanctuary OF justice Is conduct like this congcnia
with that high Of dignity that should be seated
In soldiers bosom, is 1t due from brother officer to
ass all in the dark the reputation of another and stab
him at moment when he cannot expect it? might in
suit an honorab BILE man by questions such these but
shall not expect that they will harrow up who must
be dead to Those feelings that the charao Of
After presenting in still stronger lights "ths
abominable crime Of detraction-Of slanderDg be-
hind his back brother officer" the letter concludes
thus-
My notions sir, not those now taught in modern
schools and in fashionable high life they were mbbed
in ancient days and hitherto have yet bear me to
the conclusion that he that wontonly outrage the
feelings Of ancthercan intend injury where is due
lis capable Of crime however In Its nature
and wiz not fail to commit it, whenever it may be i'm
shall not stoop sir to justification of my order be-
fore to notice the weakness and absudty your
tnse rhetoric it may be quite conclusive with yourself
and have no disposition to attempt convincing YOU
that your ingenuity is not profound you have ina.
please, hold myself liable to answer and to prove the
reasons which prompted to the took and to
ment, who in the garb Of gentlemen hold myself
responsible for any gryance they may labor ON my
account with whom you hav. my permission % number
have deserved it all and necessary TO say
more will barely remark, in conclusion, that if you
feel yourself aggreved at what is here said any
n,cation from You will reach safely at this place
servant, ANDREW JACKSON
On this letter, Scott's pamphlet (Which is repub.
lishcd in Niles's Register, page l26, vol XyI)
thus remarks:-
The foregoing extraordinary letter was laid aside un
til almcst forgotten When certain his feelings Gen.
Scott sat down to reply to it. lie thought Of New Or
Leans and soae other affairs In which the parties had
been engaged and it appeared to him that
brace Of pistols would add nothing the character of
either He conceived that at the age he had then at
began to be an object worthy Of his consideration how
ever they might be diwegarded by his opponent.
The pamphlet argues this moral theme to some |
extent, and then challenges the topic tbus:-
But the foregoing letter has been represented a.
challenge and the reply to it. a acceptance on the
escape the reader although be true that Gen Scott
playful humor chose to treat the letter ohal.
he then gives the letter (Which he would have |
the reader consider one of "playful humor,") in a |
reply TO Gen. Jackson's, received 22d December, |
ard which was laid aside and almost forgotten in
10 days,
HAN QUARTERS, LIST AsD Sd MILITARY Drprs.l
NEW York. June ., ISIS
sif Your letter Of Sd ult wa. handed me abou. a2i
ut and has not been read might say thought Of since
These circumstances will show that ii my wish to
reply to you dsrastionately.
regret that cannot accept the challenge you offer
Perhaps may be restrained from wishing to Level ps
to at the breast of fellow being in private coba. by
of religion but lest this motive should excite the
r:dcuc Of gentlemen Of liberal habit. Of thinking and
acting, beg leave TO add that decline the honor of
tbat ~ from ny ambition
to console yourself by the application Of few epithets
as coward SC to the object Of your ntnent and
yourself Of their truth.
Your famous order bears date--Here Gen Scott |
MI into t1,ex
refused to discuss with him He touches the topic with
much more tenderness than before. anc with variety
personal compliments; concluding thus
cannot close this letter without expressing belief
that the return ef your wonted pagnanmity, shall
be requested to burn the which has elected it. by
way OF apology 70. the injury it does m--accordngy i
has been seen but by one individual (os my staff aud
shall be held in reserve until certain time has elapsed
attending that iuft expectation.
In the meantime have the honor to remain. sir vecy
your oteuept, w. SCOTT.
1t is evident that General Jackson did not intend
bis letter for challenge; be intended il Cor in
suit. Gen. Scott had a right to charge him with
mutiny if he pleased-to have him tried for it. with
out anording Gen. jackson ground tor 3 challenge.
But his manner Of accusing him in the circles Of
Cen Jacisons reputation insiduously, without put
ting him On bis defence, a proyocation which |
justified the insult. The close Of Gen. Jackson's /
letter shows that he expected a challenge from /
Scott, who warily avoided the attitude in which the
controversy placed him, by pretending that ne was
the challenged party. If be had even replied in the
spirit OF Gen Jackscns letter, without challenging,
it would have been earnest that whilst provo6- I
ing challenge he would meet it. He escaped the /
whole difficulty, as he supposed, by choosing to
sieat the letter as q challenge, N playful hurnor,
and declining Il rom : sense Of religion" This, I
he thought, would give double face TO tho affair;
cnable hlm 10 10y that il was double hlsehood; 10
tho lttter sent him rs challenge, and
the rery 10 u non-aceep' snSe, O. the ground OF
religious scruplss." And he had hope that by
concluding his lettor with an sppeal To Gen jack
sou, . wongea nagpsnimity, to q burn the one that
ELECTED K, she whole thing, Il he succeeded IL his
scheme, would pass over qsletly ard in secret But
cen. Jackson was rot raan for chilas play in mat
teTs that affected his reputation. Ho had tia mag
naninity 10 6sappont Scott in his fear of TIE apph
cation of such epithets ne Toward" SC hut he |
had net the uagnaninity TO harm the paper in !
which he resented ana reIeiled the attack on Ais
military fame.
DEWITT CLINTON.
Ihp atirci.s Ton .Incksnfl hnrinr rnIlrnr n