In November, 1813, Congress passed a joint resolution complimenting
General Scott for his skill and gallantry in the battles of Chippewa
and Niagara and for his uniform good conduct throughout the war, and
directed the striking and presentation to him of a gold medal. This
was presented to him in a speech of great feeling and high compliment
at the Executive Mansion in the presence of the members of the Cabinet
and many other distinguished persons. On July 4, 1831, General Scott
watched the last moments and closed the eyes of President Monroe in
New York city. In February, 1816, the Legislature of Virginia passed a
resolution unanimously returning thanks to General Scott for his
services to his country, and also voted him a sword. This was followed
by like action by the Legislature of New York. In 1815 he was elected
an honorary member of the Society of the Cincinnati.
In April, 1817, General Andrew Jackson issued from Nashville, Tenn.,
an order reciting that "the commanding general considers it due to the
principles of subordination which might and must exist in an army to
prohibit the obedience of any order emanating from the Department of
War to officers of the division who have reported and been assigned to
duty, unless coming through him as the proper organ of communication."
At a dinner party in New York soon after the publication of this order
Governor Clinton desired to know General Scott's opinion of it. He
expressed views in opposition to General Jackson, and added that its
tendency was mutinous. An anonymous writer published the details of
this conversation in a New York paper called the Columbian, and a copy
of it reached General Jackson, who wrote General Scott as follows:
"HEADQUARTERS DIVISION OF THE SOUTH,
"NASHVILLE, _September 17, 1817_.
"SIR: With that candor due the character you have sustained
as a soldier and a man of honor, and with the fairness of the
latter, I address you. Inclosed is a copy of an anonymous letter
postmarked New York, August 14, 1817, together with a publication
taken from the Columbian, which accompanied the letter. I have not
permitted myself for a moment to believe that the conduct ascribed
to you is correct. Candor, however, induces me to lay them before
you, that you may have it in your power to say how far they be
incorrectly stated. If my order has been the subject of your
animadversions, it is believed you will at once admit it, and the
extent to which you may have gone.
"I am, sir, respectfully,
"Your most obedient servant,
"ANDREW JACKSON.
"_General_ W. SCOTT, _U.S. Army_."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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