Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-01-29
fO' th' ..
GENERAL WASHINGTON.

The following extract is taken from i,.n. NH-fi-
ingtons letter 10 Congress, dated 2iii SEPTEMBER.
lT6:
From the hours allotted to sleep. vi: barrow y
few Moments to convey my thoughts on suEtrv rr-
porant matters, 10 Congress. shall offer ;h-n ,
sincerity which ought 10 characterize man ol,.'.
dor, ard with the freedom which may b" USED IT,
ing useful information, without ncurriug rh. Ir3..
tatuu OF presumption. We now. H. Il W.r',
upon the eve of another dissolution oi Vur arm
The remembrance of the difficulties which hagVn'.. |
upon that occasion last year, the Consequence VIII
might have followed the change, iiprnpcr a'vnG'..a
had been taken by the enemy, n'cd To III h.s."-
ledge of the present temper Gnd situation u Tie 'i -
reflect but very gloomy prospect ugon -" ainr =.
ance of thing. now, and satisfy me-, beyond th' .".'-
biliy OF doubt, tha!, unless some speedy uul o.
;ua measures adopted By Congress, our cause -
be lost. 1t in vain 10 expect that any, ar i
rifng part Of this army will engage agaIu il. ,3''
service, on the encouragement offered 10y Cong.
When men tlnd thar their tOwnrInen ard ConpHu'rGS
are receiving twenty thirty and more, dollars for
few months service, (which is truly III" cH,c.J ...s
cannot be expected, without using comiu.>Iu'r Hri
to force them into service, would answer Sn"hiI
purpose. When men initiated, and lsIc: pa
infamed they fly hastily and chcerfuy Ia arms, bat
after the first emotions over TO expect, anon .Ir
people compose the bulk of the army, that IE'g 80
influenced by other principles than those oi interest,".
u look for what neverdid and fear never wIiinI.
soldier reasoned with upon the yrnIn'.- ut 10
cause he is engaged in, aud the incsmabIc rg.i's 80
is contcndng for, hears You with pa'I"tc", l'. '".
knowledges the truth Of your observations bu, a,.
that it s OF no more consequence I" him i.'an -
others. The officer makes you the same reply Via
this further remark that his pay will not suyrri
him. and he cannot ruin himself and family I" 'rrFr
his country, when every member 81 the '"''s..'.
is equally benefited and inter- stcd by his ilhnra.-
The few therefore, who act upon princlp.c- - Use
iu,.rrstriness are, comparatively sp"ahi!g ..!..
thn; drop in the occan. IL becbn'' evidently c.':
ihrn that. this contest is not likely 10 be ;H Hu b
of Il day: Us the must be carried is;"Ia1 ~
IL, - hny. I,,!,s,
in my Judgment no other possible mcri- Ia r".a.u
them, but by establishing your army upon i..g-
manent footing, and giving your officers G'"" .i.
this will induce gentlemen aud men -: c1"r"ri' ."
engage. and until the bulk of your "cee Hic '''.'
posed of such persons a. hrc actuattI hY p''Hri"s
Of honor AMI spirit of enterprise, You have . ,e
to expect of them. Why Captain IN ~" c"ui.a"h-
tai service should receive no more ihan;i' -..ns
currency per day, tor performing the same d"' u Il
an officer Of the rank in the British >t's"a t-
ccives ten shings sterling for, never c"n'" cot
ciye especially when the latter IL provided WIN "NY
necessary he requires upon the best term, ra 90
former can scarcely procure them Al any rate"
The few, therefore, who act upon The l!"i'N- -
di.!nlerrstedness ARE, comparatively rpt"Mi-' .
more than a drop III the ocehn
Of the few" Virginia claims the CoTi'1ah"ar-i'!,
chief, Generals Nelson, Spotowo"d S'''ris' .'t
Lawson; Cnlonels James Monroe, John frG""- NJ.
GER John Barster, Everard Meade James ln'.',
and Josiah Parker. These officers, from he;r &r's-
rieace in the regular army, wer" s'rctr1 oy '''3I'
uor Jefferson, to command the ihiiia' ''"''H ~"
service ior the 'mmed dte detsIce 81 ne Hti'.. -
None OF these patriots "ave received hn!i pay i":e
All are entitled to If. being IN the service uH 20
Ioib NJ Otober 1851, when tie war rCaHy t"T0ir&-
,,J Cen. Nelson commanded baita!i". ro- e. ~
rb defence of The United States. went with ITO ti:'
Ipha on his own expense, and there presented gve.
uobie horse 10 Gen. Washington. Fifteen Aai=r1
y.rr sen; from Gen. Nelson's farms in i;uuyeI. -
Lal,vct.c's camp at Wilton. bave good ",'unrI'y
for sayg 'tlat while The army al the North ws, H.
ked ot cioIblug, Gen. Sgo-w"od had clothed b. r:.
s;icut our OF lie pocket. !: It not the :g. u
me Legislature. .nstruc, their S-nato!s at -
quc,. their RrprescnutsC IN Congress 10 :r1clf'hG
extension OF the act "f 5th July, 1882 70 al ;l '!
GERS who are entitled to half pay u,.ier the ~ .!
Virginia. and TO provide, that the rank "i an crrrT
shall b.. established by his fer bounty lanes,
and, that for serving in the militia, he sis!! n; 5o
considered militia ofrer or az iorlctag ms cier
for half pay by accepting and acting ~ hii;hIr
grade without commission |! Il.