The Enquirer

Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Kentucky to his friend in Virginia.

"The manly and honorable course which Congress is now pursuing gives elasticity to the hopes and expectations of the people in this quarter of the Union. There is no jarring in the public sentiment, and it is no longer echoed 'when will Congress take a stand—how weak and indecisive are its measures.' Indeed, the unanimity at this time is unparallelled and we are all preparing to meet the worst event. Our men will not be the last in marching to the ranks, should the country require their service—I am sure the volunteer quota as well as the regular enlistments will be quickly supplied. The battle on the Wabash has had a wonderful effect on the military ardour of the Kentuckians, and should war follow the measures of Congress, they will distinguish themselves in the field. The death of Col. Daviess, and Col. Owens in that engagement is universally regretted, but the glory in which their memories will be enshrined fills every bosom with a desire of avenging their loss or perishing with them.

By this time I suppose the army bill has passed both houses of Congress and the commissions will soon be filled. We are greatly at a loss to conjecture who will be the commander in chief. I have no doubt myself but the President of the U. States will turn his attention to some worthy and distinguished member of the revolution, who encountered the perils of that contest for the liberties of his country, who willingly sheathed his sword at the termination of the war, and whose honor, and laurels have survived the thirty years profound peace, which has since succeeded. 'Such men deserve preferment and the gratitude of their country, but they are now few, and every year admonishes us of their diminishing numbers.' The second grade of generals will be more easily selected. To the few remaining officers of the revolution, may be added the disciplinarians of Wayne's army who are still living and many of them with extensive military reputation. Their services in the Indian wars on the lakes, and in the centre of the North western territory, should not be forgotten. They encountered the severest hardships and most imminent dangers and the people of the west feel towards them sentiments of the liveliest respect and gratitude.

We had lately a visit from one of these gentlemen, who at a very early period of life entered into that service, pursued the fortunes of the army through every campaign and never quitted the service until the final treaty with the Indians was concluded on which he resigned his commission. He had left home to explore the territory of Louisiana, and to accompany the expedition under Governor Harrison, but in this last expectation he was disappointed by the loss of his horse which retarded his journey a few days and he arrived at Louisville too late to join the volunteers who had just marched. This circumstance was much lamented by his friends who knew his military skill and bravery, among whom our venerable Gov. Gen. Scott may be numbered. The gentleman to whom I allude is Major William Preston of Virginia with whom you are perhaps personally acquainted. He possesses an uncommon manliness of person, a bold & vigorous understanding, a spirit of unbating enterprise and an unceasing thirst for military attainments. He has however never desired a station in the Army on a peace establishment, preferring rather the activity of an unrestrained life to the monotonous duties of such a camp. Could the army about to be raised be filled with such officers, the lustre of the revolution would not be tarnished by a new American war. I am sure the merits of Major Preston will arrest the attention of the President, and we shall see him stationed at the head of a Brigade.—Such an appointment would promote the service, and as far as I can learn would be universally popular. There are other gentlemen educated in the same army who deserve distinction, but I am not so well acquainted with them as with Major Preston, and therefore I shall not venture an opinion."