Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-02-11
aTHE PoLIsH BRIGADE. u
f..a RICHMOND, VIRoNIA,l
Feb, 10. 1868.

Feb. 10, 1868.
To tie Rditor of tie Whig:
DEAR sR-In the yesterdays issue of your paper,
under the head Of 'Tbe Polish Brigade" appeared
some comments upon my memorial, now before Con-
gres asking relief against the Executive for deprivng
me, without cause of the command Of that Brigade
II is mmatea WHISTLER the letters annexed to that me-
moral show more temper than wisdom" Is your cor
respondent thinks and says--when these letters are
harmless to the Interests Of the Confederate States and
mine But the "gist of the memorial is mistaken by
your correspondent and is set forth before the public
very iuuriousy to The object Of the memorial is
not eracy TO obtain reimbursement of the expenses
incurred in raising the brigade aud that the contract be
enforced respecting the Brgadiershp.' 1t sets forth
that raised brigade chiefly Of foreigners, under the
authority from the Secretary of war-acCepted by me
with the express that had TO raise troops
for nv o,c command That when did raise that bd
gsde, colonecy of regiment of the iTO raised by
me was in violation of that agreement, offered to me-
That being entitled under that agreement to the com
mand of both my regiments the brigade raised by
me- and actually commanding it At that time snder the
construction OF that authority given me- the acceptance
of CoOnecy OF only ofmy regiments, would have
capabe,of commanding the Brigade, or that had COM
mitted some misdemeanor and lost its command ~ a
penalty therefor that pretender in assuming
the command Of that Brigade. 1t is true that the me-
mortal sets orA also that this unmerited treatment
posed heavy losses Inevitably connected with sucl
undertakings But my conclusions leave to the wisdom
Of Congress he commuation of relief that should be
given to me- The Congress has no power force the
Executive to issue and give Brigtder's Commits
son-Iny right it under the agreement notwithstand-
ing for the law of the land invests the President With
the appointing power e1ohsiyeyroscrynG to the Sen
ate Only the power Of approving rcitng his appoint
meats-and in giving TO them iHifidiire. 1t Is
Min however and not be contested, that Congress
a inveed with the controlling power the acts Of
Executive protect the rights of individual citizens
well of the public in general against all its errors and
mistakes. Appealing then to this power Of Congress,
seek at its hands to have the public pgkted faith en-
forced by putting right before the world, to saw
me from the unieservsd stigma Of being considered
preender the charge of incapacy, Of committing
some raisdemeaSor. Those who know me personally,
aud know my associations in the Northern section
Of the late United States, need not be told that
did not offer my services to The Confederate States for
the sake of a rank had sought this, the North wa
the place for me. rendered my services to the Con-
rsderale SAt induced to do so by earnest attachment
TO the principles Of the peoples right to selfgOvern.
ment in thee States and States soveregntes; forwhich
gincip esI combatted all my lifetime and fought in the
Old W orJ Am to be punished here for it, by being
dsgr hced Taking the command of troops from any
man who commanded them, under ample Ofical author-
" agreed and accepted 70 raise them was done with
he-though without cause-means nothing less; still,
until the world learns that done either by mis-
take error abuse of power No Pole has ever bat
tered his Rome" because of being ostracised unde'
servedy and will never be u Marcus Corolanus. But
the maxim OF Burke, which heads my memorial-wc
should 20 be patriots not to forget we are gentle
men, Twill remain my guide to the last breath Of my
E'c-had ! even to beg my bread honest'y-as a re
ward here for my devotion to the principles of liberty
Of the peoples right sefgOvernHent, and the sove-
reisnties of these States.
Very respectfully,
Your most O6dt servant,
&. TOCmIAS.