Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-12-28
LrrrEs rnon GEr. W.suIraror.-

1ktIBk fboA 6EH. WA6HIN0fOE.-
The following letter, touching the sp-
pointment Of foreigners to Offices of high
rank and trust in our service, was ad-
dressed by the immortal WAsH1xsrox
10 member Of the Continental Con.
gress. It presents this matter in its
proper light, as viewed BY true Ameri-
cans. The same viii in a great meas
ure spply to foreigners filing civil off,
ces of trust. We do not believe be-
cause some foreigners aided US in aequi-
ring our independence that all foreign
ers are entitled to enjoy the privileges
thus acquired. All such foreigners as
were in the service Of the Colonies, and
chose to remain in the country, were
naturslized by an act Of Congress, and
surely, if the countrymen of those who
fought for US are to participate with Us.
on the same principle the countrymen of
those who fought against Hs, must be
excluded. Men of all nations were en-
ployed in the British army, and thou
sands of them hired and paid, who
owed no allegiance to George the Third.
England, Scotland, Ireland and Germa-
ny, each and all sent out their merce-
nary troops. to aid in strangling the gi-
ant in his cradle. How then, can this
argument prevail against us? Was it
the love of liberty that prompted the
king of France to send US succor?-
France and England were rivals. To
aid America was to annoy England, and
to free America was to take from the
British king the brightest jewel in his
crown. A braver, purer, nobler spirit
than Lafayette, never dwelt in clay, but
the motives of his king have never been
mistaken. But here is Gen. Washing
toms letter on this subject, let every
American read it. We are under obi
cations to friend for the copy, which
is from Sparks Life of Morris:
WHITE PLAINS, July "a, 1890.
"DEAR SIR: Whether you are in
debted to me, or to you, for letter, 1
know not, nor is it of much moment;
the design of this is to touch, cursorily,
upon subject of very great Importance
to the well being of these States; and
more SO than will appear at first view.
I mean the appointment of so many
foreigners to Offices of high rank and
trust in our service. The lavish man
ner in which rank has hitherto been be-
slowed on these gentlemen, will certain
ly be productive of one or the other of
these two evils-either to make it despi-
cable in the eyes of Europe, or become
a means of pouring them in upon you
like a torrent, and adding to your pres
ent burden. But it is neither the ex-
pense nor trouble of them that l most
dread. There is an evil more extensive
in its nature, and fatal in its consequen-
ces, to be apprehended, and that is the
driving of all our own officers out of
the service, and throwing not only your
army but your military councils entirely
into the hands of foreigners.
"The officers, my dear sir, on whom
you must depend for the defence of this
cause, and who, from length of service,
their connexions, property, and, in be-
half of many, L may add military
merit, will not submit much, if any,
longer to the unnatural promotion Of
men over them, who have nothing more
than a little plausibility, unbounded
pride and ambition, and perseverance
in application not to be resisted but by
uncommon frmness, to support their
pretensions. Men, who, in the first in
stance, tell you they wish for nothing
more than the honor of serving in SO
glorious cause as volunteers, the next
day solicit rank without pay, the day
following want money advanced them;
and in the course of a week, want fur
ther promotion, and are not satisfied
with anything you can do for them.
"When 1 speak of officers not sub
mitting to these appointments, let me be
understood to mean, that they have no
more doubt of their right to resign,
when they think themselves aggrieved,
than they have of a power in Congress
to appoint. Both being granted, then,
the expediency and policy of the meas
ure remain to be considered, and whether
it is consistent with justice or prudence
to promote these military fortune hun
ters, at the hazard of your army
These may be divided into three classes,
VIZ: mere adventures without recon-
or recommended by persons
who do not know how else to dispose of
or provide for them; men of great am
bition, who would sacrifice everything
to promote their own personal glory; or
mere spies, who are sent here to obtain
a thorough knowledge of our situation
and circumstances, in the execution of
which, / am persuaded, some of them
are faithful emisaries, as / do not be-
lieve single matter escapes unnoticed,
or unadvised at foreign court.
81 could say great deal on this sub
ject, but viii add nothing at present. 1
IL Al l. IL