tion. putation of its heroes and benefactors; and the best denly won bis mind, burst into a flood of tears, reward which it can bestow on them, is a just ap-on beholding, for the first time, the saviour of preciation of their merits. Happily, this return, Oia s, and the hardy veteran was not much wat is so easy to make, nay, which it is so dif less affected-be also shed tears, o seeing the ficult to withhold, is the most welcome to elevated condition of the man to whom, more than to any minds, and is most dearly prized by those whose other, Baltimore stood indebted for her preservagrea deserts render all recompense inadequate. The brevity suitable to this address does not afford onportunity for er umerating the unquestiona ble claims which enti'ie you to the exalted station of ranking with America's first and proudest worth ́es; nor for describing how richly have been earned these plaudits, which are so f eely and so universally tendered in your behalf The gratifica tion of recounting your military exploits must be restraine, and this corporation must content itself with the expression of, what all the world must acknowledge, hat where valor and patriotism invit-could not get admittance. ed, you pursued that path; that defeat and dismay to the enemies of your country followed your march and victory and glory crowned your triumphant career. History will weave your name with the events of the day, and a fame as eternal as your deeds, will accompany you along the current of time into the most distant ages. Accept, sir, this feeble tribute to the merits of commander and of a patriot, who has been more so licitous to deserve than to obtain applause, and should the repose of your country relieve you from the clangor of arms, and the hollow drum of war, may the blessings of heaven circle around you, and may you enjoy in private life that happiness to which your public services so eminently entitle you. EDW'D JOHNSON, In the evening, the general visited Mr. Guy's splendid exhibition of landscape paintings-the room being brilliantly illuminated for his reception, and graced with the presence of many ladies and gentlemen. As he entered, a full band of music greeted him with "see the conquering hero comes." Oa Sunday morning, he attended divine worship at the I. dependent church, having been invited to attend there. That elegant and capacious edifice was completely filled with people, and hundreds On Monday, he attended a presentation of colors by Miss Euza W. O'Donnel, to that fine company of infantry, the Columbian Volunteers, comnian led by E. L Finley, esq. He then visited Fort McHenry, here he was received with the honors due to his rank. At 12 'clock, he began a review of the 3d and 14th brigades of Mar land militia, drawn up in line in Mark-t-street, under the command of a generals S erett and Heath. Though the weather was inclement the briga e were very full, and the street and houses, up to the chimney tops, were filled with people. Having received the salute in line, the brigades were formed and the marching honors paid to him. On the dismissal of the troops, he was waited on by gen. Heath, at the head of the officers of his brigade, and presented with a very handsome and patriotic address, which we have Mayor of the city of Balumore. inserted below. At 5 o'clock, he sat down to To which gen. Jackson made the following reply:— the public dinner prepared for him by Mr. WilliamSI-Allow me to tender my gra eful acknow-son, under the superintendance of a committee of ledgments for the very flattering address which I gentlemen, at the Assembly Room. The mayor of have this day received from you, on behalf of your-the city, Ed vard Johnson, esq. presided, supported self and the city council of Baltimore. The happi- Samuel Sterrett, Lemuel Taylor, and John S. Smith, ness which I derive from his distinguished honor, esquires, as vice-presidents-more than 200 of our is heightened by the recollection that it is offered most respectable citizens were present, to partake by a portion of my fellow citizens who gloriously of a luxurious feast of good things. At the back participated in the perils and privations of our late of the general, was a transparency inscribed with contest with a powerful nation-who, with the spithe names of the places at which he had chiefly rit of freemen, met the foe at their bresholds, and, distinguished himself, the whole surmounted with with valor equal to their patriotism, drove him a wreath of evergree ›s. After the removal of the from their shores, and saved a great and flourishing cloth, the following toasis were drank, several of city from his incendiary grasp. I long will cherish them accompanied with nine hearty cheers, and all the grateful recollection of ray hospitable reception with fine music, from à strong band stationed in in Baltimore-and may its wealth and prosperity the orchestra. ever be commensurate with the virtues of its population. I beg you to accept for yourself, and to present to the gentlemen of the council, my grateful thanks, and the assurance of my profoundest respect and consideration. ANDREW JACKSON. 1st. The people of the United States-May liberty dwell with them, and happiness be their perpetual possession. *Capt. Finley, in an elegant return of thanks to the young lady, for the honor conferred on the corps, said "In the shock of battle this flag will be to us When the city council had voted the preceding the rallying point of duty, the harbinger of victory address to him, they passed a resolution, unani--and whilst it floats in triumph over our heads, mously, to request him to sit to Mr. Peale for his scattering from every undulation the defiance of portrait, to be placed in the council chamber among | freemen, we shall think of the fair lady who entrustthe portraits of other distinguished characters, to ed it to our charge, and the hero of Orleans who howhich the general assented, and his portrait has been painted accordingly. nored it by his presence. JACKSON will be our battle cry-Beauty will be our rallying word. Though our flag may not always float in victory, it shall always float defiance to our country's foes: with our lives alone will we relinquish it-and before this standard shall be poiluted by the hands of an invad In the course of this day, the general paid a visit to captain George Stiles, late mayor of our city, languishing on the bed of sickness, after having suffered exceedingly, almost without the hope of recovery. The interview was remarkably affecting foeing, the character and services of capt. Stiles being well known to the general. The former, influenced by a variety of reflections rushing sud. "The flag shall be our winding sheet, 2d. The government of the union-Imparting vigor 3d. The president of the United States. "I now, sir, beg leave to give you The 12th and 13th September, 1814-The days on which freemen defeated the conquerors of Europe, banner" saved Baltimore from incendiary pollution." and under the proud waving of "the star spangled being determined to reach Washington city before The general left the party at about 8 o'clock, that hour next day-amidst the plaudits of every 5th. General Jackson-Who,like the Carthagenian nate. 6th. The victory of New Orleans-A deathless triumph to our country, immortal fame to our guest. 7th. Tennessee-Ennobled by the valor and patriotism of her sons. 8th. The army and navy of the United States-Existing for the defence of the country-May they never know a different object, nor fail in this, 9th. The retired patriots of the nation-May they still be present to our affection, and have a long inheritance in the gratitude of their country. 10th. The state of Maryland-Upright politics in her assemblies, American interests in her officers, social peace among her citizens and universal prosperity. A great number of volunteer toasts, and some of find room for them. them very good ones, were drank, but we cannot Address of the officers of the 14th brigade, Maryland militia, to general J›ckson, on you for the purpose of paying their respects in SIR-The officers of the 14th brigade wait upin which they hold your services to your country. person, and of assuring you of the consideration Citizen soldiers ourselves, and fondly attached to pleasure, every fresh proof of the excellence of the institutions of our republic, we receive, with those institutions. How long has it been said in the old world, that war is a science which requires standing armies, which all history teaches freea training from infancy; that it must be taught in 11th. The memory of our fellow citizens who fell in defence of Baltimore on the 12th and 13th Sep-men to regard with jealous suspicion. Under tember, 1814. 12th. Our sister states, united by affection as by interest-May they go hand in hand in the progress to greatness and happiness, while the world follows, and humanity rejoices. 13th. Innocence--May it be cleared-Merit, may it be illustrated, and envy and accusation serve no other purposes. 14th. Florida-The new abutment to the political arch which springs from Mexico to Nova ScotiaMay affection cement, and virtue cover it forever, from the dilapidations of time and faction. 15th, Commerce and Science-which open their stores to each other, enlightening and replenishing the globe, rejoining divided nations, and associating all mankind. 16th. The liberty of the press-He values it most, who is most ready to punish its licentiousness. 17th. The governments at peace, and the people in amity with us-May the fears of the one and the good will of the other, preserve the peace and strengthen the friendship forever, 18th. The American fair-May no folly tarnish, no vice destroy the charms, which, animated by sense and virtue, are irresistible. 19th. The friends of freedom in every clime-May the sentiments that warm their hearts, strengthen their arms against tyranny and oppression. We from the walks of peace and retire.nent, and bearyour guidance we have seen soldiers springing ing all the hardships and privations of war. did not wonder at their bravery, for we knew they which they bore hunger, fatigue, and suffering were brave. But we applauded the firmness with and admired the cheerfulness with which they sub. sud their march through a trackless wilderness. sisted on a few handfuls of indian corn, and purWe beheld citizen soldiers summoned by the trumpet of war from the bosoms of their families, vanquishing the veteran legions of Europe. And and the quiet pursuits of civil life, meeting and we have seen those combinations of modern warfare, which makes success to depend on evolutions he enemies of republicanism vainly believe that and movement of masses of men, and against which unavailing. These we have seen defeated, broken individual nerve, and the courage of freemen are up, and put to shame. We do not say these things merely to compliment the moving principle and soul of republics, the and flatter. Virtue, as it is justly observed, being applause of their fellow citizens is the only reward While Greece was free, the exploits of her leaders which republicans can receive for their deeds. were celebrated at her public games; and the Ro20th. Agriculture and the mechanic arts; fellow la-nors of the triumph for those who performed glomans, in their days of freedom, instituted the boborers sustaining and accommodating life-May the rious actions. strong hands that exercise them, defend their fruits its institutions, dispenses no rewards for public from royalty and tithing. Our country, purely republican in so long as those clothed with the nation's authority, services, save only its favor and approbation. And ward, and continue sensitive to the praise or blame consider the nation's approbation as their best reof public opinion, so long may we be assured that the republic will stand firm and unchanged. After the 5th toast was pronounced, gen. Jackson pose and said— We hope we shall be indulged for a moment in "What I have done sir, was for my country, Conscious that the first object of my heart has ever been to advance our prosperity and happiness, to receive the approbation of my fellow citizens is to me a source of the highest gratification—it is the proudest re-noticing a particular feeling which exists among us. ward of a soldier. Not only my public acts, but my private character, have been assailed. I have been charged with personal, mercenary views, in occupying Florida. I scorn to answer so degrading an accusation; it is as base as it is absurd, and could only orginate in bosoms destitute of every manly virtue. I have no fear but my country will do me justice. When the vanguard of that army, let loose upon us, arrived upon our shores in 1814, our city, the home of our fathers, our wives and our children, appear. ed specially marked for destruction. Had the foe succeeded in his plans, there is too much reason to believe that the edifices now around you, would have been levelled with the dust, and the popułation you have seen to day crowding our streets, Resolved, That the secretary of the treasury be requested to transmit to congress, at an early period in its next session, a general statement of the condition of the bank of the United States and its offices, similar to the returns made to him by the bank; and a statement exhibiting, as nearly as may be practicable, the amount of capital invested in the different chartered banks in the several states: and in the district of Columbia, the amount of notes issued by those banks in circulation, the public and private depo. sites in them, the amount of discounts and loans made by them and remaining unpaid, and the total quantity of specie they possess. And that he be request would have been scattered abrod. Happily, it was ordered otherwise. That sun, whose morning beams shewed us the enemy landing his battalions, had scarcely passed the merilian, ere it saw the body of their daring commander borne back, lifeless, to his ships We were preserved, and the tide of war rolled away from us; but we had too close a view of hostile invasion, not to follow its direction with keen solicitude-and when, with vastly increased power, it broke on the shores of the Mississippi, we felt for the people invaded as for ourselves-we feared as they feared for those who were dear to them-we trusted as they trusted, in the righteous cause which protected them. And, when the tid-ed, also, to report such measures as in his opinion ings of their deliverance came, and bursts of gene ral gratulation arose—it is needless, sir, to say with whose name they were mingled. The feelings of triumph, sir, we have pride in preserving. Though we erect no columns of s'one, nor arches of tri umph, we trust that the recollections of glory, in th hosoms of freemen, will be more durable than inscriptions on marbler bss. We wish you, sir, health, happiness, and a long course of usefulness to your country. To which the general replied: Baltimore, 1st March, 1819. SIR-The bonor conferred by your personal attention and the approbatory sentiments you have expressed of my service, will ever be remembered with feelings of gratitude and sensibility. The troops which I have reviewed this day, drawn from the civil pursuits of life, their military ardor and patriotism for which your city is so highly distinguished, affords me the pleasing reflection, that the defence of our country, confided to those who enjoy its liberties, insnres us security against the invasion of any foe. This opinion finds its proof in the safety of your city, preserved by the gallant defence of your mil tia; no men repaired to the field of combat with more alacrity-none ever retired from it with more glory. Accept, sir, for yourself and the officers of your brigade, assurances of my highest regard and consideration. ANDREW JACKSON. Brigadier general Heath. We shall close this long account of the honors conferred on general Jackson in his short tour, by observing-that he was every where received with enthusiasm as a gallant soldier, and admired by all who had personal intercourse with him, for the suavity of his manners, and the intelligence of his remarks. His suite, also, is composed of soldiers and gentlemen-frank and easy, but unassuming and unobtrusive. They made many friends in Baltimore during their short stay in this city. CONGRESS. may be expedient to procure and retain a sufficient quantity of gold and silver coin in the United States, or to supply a circulating medium in place of specie, adapted to the exigency of the country, and within the power of the government. The house this day, after a debate, ordered the bill for the occupation of Florida to a third reading, and read it the third time and passed it. It has become a law. A bill in addition to the acts prohibiting the slave trade, was ordered to a third reading-and has become a law. The senate having struck out of the bill for the formation of a state government in the territory of Missouri, the prohibitory clause respecting the admission of slaves, the house on Tuesday, refused 78 to 76, to concur therein, and the bill was returned to the senate-the senate insisted on its amendment and the bill was, of course, lost. A bill providing for the civilization of the Indian tribes, passed the house. The important bill respecting the public lands passed by the senate, accidentally interrupted, did not pass the house. The bill to amend the act incorporating the bank of the United States [regulating the votes by proxy, &c.] has become a law. These appear to be the most interesting things which have reached us-the details, as before observed, shall be published next week. SEMINOLE WAR. IN SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES, February 24th, 1819.. Mr. Lacock, from the committee appointed in purstance of the resolution of the senate, of the 18th of December last, "That the message of the president, and documents, relative to the Seminole war, be referred to a select committee, who shall have authority, if necessary, to send for persons and papers: that said committee inquire relative to the advance of the United States' troops into West Florida; whether the officers in command at Pensacola and St Marks, were amenable to, and under the control of Spain; and particularly, what circumstances existed, to authorise or justify the commanding general in taking possession of those posts." وو Peculiar circumstances rendered it inconvenient, if not impracticable, for us to issue a supple- REPORTED: That they have, under the authoriment this week, to get up the details of the proceed-ty conferred on them, called for and examined perings of congress, as we had intended; we shall therefore briefly notice the chief things transacted since our last, hoping next week to square up our account. A message from the president was received on Saturday recommending that arrangements should be made for the occupation of Florida, on an expected ratification of the treaty lately concluded with Spain. A bill on this subject was reported, &c. On Monday, Mr. Spencer submitted the following ation: sons and papers. The testimony obtained is herewith submitted. The committee, after the most mature and dispassionate examination of the subject, offer for the consideration of the senate, the following narative of facts, and the opinions and deductions clearly arising from, and growing out of the facts thus presented. On the origin of the hos tilities between the United States and the Seminole Indians, the committee ask leave to remark, that the different savage tribes living within and on the borders of the Floridas, denominated Seminole In-[and an open attack was made on Fort Scott. Gene dians, were principally fugitives from the northern ral Gaines with about 600 regular soldiers, was con tribes, resilent within the limits of the United fined to the garrison. In this state of things, infor States. After the treaty of 1814, with the Creek mation having been communicated to the war deIndians, a considerable addition was made to the partment, general Jackson was ordered to take the number of those fugitives, as the Indians who were field; he was advised of the regular and militia force dissatisfied with the provisions of that treaty, took amounting to 1,800 men, provided for that service, refuge in the Floridas, cherishing, there can be lit- and the estimated force by gen. Gaines, of the enetle doubt, feelings of hostility to the United States. my, (said to be 2,800 strong) and directed, if he These feelings seem to have been strengthened by should consider the force provided, insufficient to the influence of foreign emissaries who had taken beat the enemy, to call on the governor of the adup their residence among them, among whom, as the joining states, for such portions of the militia, as he most conspicuous, were Alexander Arbuthnot and might think requisite. On the receipt of this order, Robert C. Ambrister. In this state of things it ap-gen. Jackson, instead of observing the orders of the pears that the executive department of the govern-department of war, by calling on the governor of ment deemed it necessary for the security of the Tennessee, then in Nashville, near the place of his frontier to establish a line of forts near the southern residence, chose to appeal, (to use his own expresboundary of the United States, and to occupy those sions,) to the patriotism of the west Tenneseeans, fortifications with portions of the regular forces, and who had served under him in the last war. by these means peace was maintained with the In-mounted gun men, and two companies of what were dians until the spring and summer of 1817, when called life guards, with the utmost alacrity volun1000 the regular forces were withdrawn from the posts on teered their services, from the states of Tennessee the Georgia frontier, and concentrated at Fort and Kentucky, and repaired to his standard. OffiMontgomery, on the Alabama river, a considerable cers were appointed to command this corps by the distance west of the Georgia line. But it seems general himself, or by other persons, acting under that about this time a border warfare was commenc-his authority. Thus organized, they were mustered between the Seminole Indians and the frontier ed into the service of the United States. inhabitants of Georgia. It is difficult to determine with certainty who commenced those hostilities, or on whom the greatest injuries were inflicted; general Gaines however, demanded a surrender of the Indians who had committed outrages on the frontier of Georgia. With this demand they refused to comply, alledging that the first and greatest aggressions had been made by the white men. of this refusal, gen. Gaines was authorised by the In consequence secretary of war, at his discretion, to remove the Indians, still remaining on the lands ceded to the United States by the treaty made with the Creeks, in 1814; in so doing he is told that it might be proper to retain some of them as hostages, until reparation was made for the depredations committed by the Indians. In pursuance of this discretionary authority, general Gaines ordered a detachment of near 300 men, under the command of major Twiggs, to surround and take an Indian village, called Fowl Town, about 14 miles from Fort Scott, and near the Florida line. This detachment arrived at Fowl Town in the night, and the Indians taking the alarm and flying to an adjacent swamp, were fired on by the detachment, and one man and one woman killed. Two Indians were made prisoners; the detachment returned to Fort Scott. A day or two afterwards, as stated by captain MIntosh, who was of the party, about the same number of troops, paid a second visit to the same village, (as he states) for the purpose of obtaining property. While loading their waggons with corn, and collecting horses and cattle, they were fired upon by the Indians, and a skirmish ensued, in which a small loss was sustained on both sides. It is stated by captain Young, the topographical engineer, that this town contained about 45 Indian warriors, besides women and children. A few days after the affair of Fowl Town, lieut. S ott, with a detachment of forty men, 7 women and some children ascending the Appalachicola with clothing and supplies for the garrison at Fort Scott, when within a few miles of that place, was attacked by a party of Indians, himself and his whole party fell victims to their fury, except six men, who made their escape, and one woman made prisoner. From this time the war became more serious, the Indians in considerable numbers were embodied, detachment of volunteers in the state of Tennessee, About the time gen. Jackson was organizing this or perhaps, previously thereto, general Gaines was likewise employed in raising forces, among the Creek Indians. There was this difference in the two cases; general Jackson raised his army in disregard of positive orders; general Gaines, without orarmy of at least 1600 Creek Indians, appointing their ders, took upon himself the authority of raising an officers, with a brigadier general at their head, and likewise mustering this force into the service of the United States. ing the zeal and promptitude that have marked the While your committee feel a pleasure in applaudmilitary conduct of these general officers, on many former occasions, they would feel themselves wanting in their duty to the senate and the nation, if they did not express their decided disapprobation of the conduct of the commanding generals, in the steps they took to raise and organize, the force employed on this occasion. There was no law in existence that authorized even the president of the United States, to raise or accept the services of volunteers. The law passed for that purpose had expired in the year 1815. The constitution of the United States gives to congress exclusively, the power of raising armies, and to the president and senate, the power of appointing the officers to command those armies when raised. The constitution, likewise, gives congress power to provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the union, to suppress insurrections and to repel invasions; but reserves to the states respectively, the appointment of the officers. Inconformity with the last recited provision of the constitution, the congress of the United States have passed laws authorizing the president, when the call on the governors, or any militia officers of the contingencies above alluded to should happen, to respective states, for such portions of the militia as he might deem requisite for the occasion: and in strict observance of these laws was general Jackson ordered to call on the governors of the states adjacent to the seat of war, for the requisite militia force. led to declare, that they conceive general Jackson It is with regret that the committee are compelto have disregarded the positive orders of the de partment of war, the constitution, and laws. That gives me pleasure to find we coincide in those opi he has taken upon himself, not only the exercise nions, calculated to produce it. Responsibility now of those powers delegated to congress as the sole rests where it should, on the officer issuing the order; legislative authority of the nation, and to the presi- and the principle acknowledged is calculated to indent and senate as it relates to the appointments; sure that subordination so necessary to the harmonibut of the power which had been expressly reserv-ous movement of every part of the military maed to the states in the appointment of the officers chine." of the militia. A power the more valuable to the It is to be regretted, that an officer who seemed states, because, as they had surrendered to the ge- to be so perfectly acquainted with what belonged neral government the revenues and physical force to the duty of others, should have been so totally of the nation, they could only look to the officers of regardless of, or unconscious of his own; and while the militia as a security against the possible abuse the committee are willing to admit, that the volunof the delegated power. The committee find the teer forces called into service by genéral Jackson, melancholy fact before them, that military officers, were more efficient and less expense than the milieven at this early stage of this republic, have, with- tia, had he confined himself to the usual proportion out the shawdow of authority, raised an army of at of officers, this they conceive, should not be urged least 2,500 men, and mustered them into the service as an argument in favor of employing them, or plead of the United States. Two hundred and thirty offi-in justification of the unlawful act, for if these reacers have been appointed, and their rank establish- sons be considered conclusive, and should be acquied, from an Indian brigadier general, down to the esced in, they will be applied with encreased force, lowest subaltern of a company. To whom were (fortified by this precedent) in all future wars; an those officers accountable for their conduct? Not to army of regulars will be considered (as they really the president of the United States, for it will be are) more efficient and less expensive, than either found that it was not considered necessary even to the volunteers, if authorized by law, or the militia, furnish him with a list of their names; and not until and the officer at the head of such army, (acting on the payrolls were made out and payment demand-the principles before stated, and encouraged by the ed, were the persons known to the department of acquiesence of the nation) may dispense with the war. And in this place it is proper to observe, that militia altogether, and increase the regular army to general Jackson seemed to consider those officers any extent that folly and ambition may suggest; and of his own creation, competent to discharge all the all this, under the plea of necessity. The commitfunctions of officers appointed by the authority of tee can scarcely imagine a possible case that may the general or state governments for we find five, occur in a future war, where the necessity wil' be of them detailed afterwards to set on a general less strong, than in the present. This war was waged court martial, on a trial of life and death. Might not, when the United States were at peace with all the on the same principles, general Jackson have tried, world, except this miserable undisciplined banditti condemned, and executed, any officer of the Geor- of "deluded Indians" and fugitive slaves; their whole gia militia, by the sentence of a court martial com- strength when combined, not exceeding 1,000 men, posed of officers created by him, and holding their opposed to whom (previous to general Jackson's assumed authority by the tenor of his will? taking the command) and under general Gaines, Your committee will dismiss this branch of the were a force of 1800 regulars and militia, besides subject by observing that consistently with the the 1500 friendly Indians, illegally subsidized by the character and genius of our government, no officer, last mentioned general; what then in this state of the however high or exalted his station, can be justified case of becomes the plea of necessity? And if it be adfor an infraction of the constitution. It is an offence mitted in this case to justify or palliate an act of miagainst the sovereignty of the nation; this sovereign- litary usurpation, the committee would anxiously inty being vested in the great body of the people.quire where it is to be disallowed or denied? And The constitution is the written expression of their here the committee, have pledged themselves faithwill, and above the control of all the public func-fully to disclose facts and impartially to draw conclutionaries combined. And when that instrument has sions, beg leave to remark, that the conduct of the been violated, the people alone have power to commanding general, in raising this volunteer corps, grant the indemnity for its infraction, and all that was approbated by the war department, as will apcan be said in favor of the officer who transcends his pear by the letter of the secretary, dated the 29th constitutional powers must be taken, not in justifi- day of Jan. 1818, and it is but justice to the departcation of the act, but in mitigation of the enormity ment, to state, that it was not until the officers that of the offence committed. With this view of the had assisted in thus officering and organizing this subject, which they conceive to be a correct one, corps, were examined by the committee, that they the committee have in vain sought for an excuse were apprised of the illegality of the measure; for for the commanding general. He has stated in his there is nothing to be found in general Jackson's letter to the secretary of war, assuming the power letters on this subject, to the secretary of war, of the to judge for the national legislature, that a volunteer 12th, 13th and 20th of February, 1818, from which force of mounted gun men, would be the least ex-it can be fairly inferred, that he had appointed a sinpensive and the most efficient. His duty was to execute the orders of his superior officers, not to disobey them; to observe and enforce the laws, not violate them; obedience and subordination are the first and highest duties of a soldier, and no one knew better the truth of, and the necessity for, observing this maxim, that the officer in question. For the truth of this observation we have his own declaration. In his letter to the secretary of war, of 20th January, 1818, he says "your letter, enclosing your general order of the 29th ultimo, has been received; like yourself, I have no other feelings to gratify, than those connected with the public good, and it gle officer; indeed it would seem from a fair interpretation of those letters, that the officers, at least, were of the regular militia of the states, and that the only departure from his orders by the general, was, his having called on the subordinate officers of the militia, instead of the governor of the state of Tennessee, and his preference of mounted men to infantry; and it will also appear from the letters aforesaid, that had the department of war, disapproved of this conduct and determined to countermand the order of general Jackson in raising this force, no order to that effect, could have reached him, before he had arrived at the seat of war, and of course the army |