The Patowmac Guardian, And Berkeley Advertiser

From the American Daily Advertiser.

Gentlemen,

THE base and cowardly attack upon the character and conduct of General Wayne, which lately appeared in a Virginia paper, and has since been republished in several others, is so replete with scurrility as to afford an antidote to its poison and render a refutation hardly necessary; was the author of the slander known to its object as the latter is to the former, he would probably be treated with silent contempt or receive the reward of his virulent abuse. from the foot and not from the word of a soldier who is too brave to draw it against a poltroon, or to sheathe it when attacked by true courage.—

From a thorough knowledge of General Wayne, I venture to pronounce the author of Stubborn Facts, a rancorous assassin—and, his production to be as false as his heart is venomous.

General Wayne, after having fought and bled in his country's cause, from the frozen lakes of the North, to the burning sands of the South, was selected from amongst his former brethren in arms, to the chief command, against a bold and savage enemy.

The President had seen the officers of the late army tried in various scenes of difficulty and danger. Their respective merits were well known to him, and if a better choice could in his opinion have been made, General Wayne would not have been preferred. His activity, his zeal, and his success here justified the appointment. He had raw materials to work upon; and by a strict but necessary discipline he now finds himself at the head of a small but gallant army. The brave he trained and disciplined, and the coward and the worthless he cashiered or drummed out of his camp. In their vagrant state they or their hirelings and some others of the like principles and practices, feign Stubborn Facts, while the General is infusing his own martial spirit into his soldiers, and preparing to meet the enemy.—

That he has conducted himself with great good conduct since his appointment, appears from all well authenticated accounts from the army; that the President with the best means of judging of his conduct is highly pleased with it, appears by the following extract of a letter written by his direction.

Extract of a letter from the Secretary of War, to Major General Anthony Wayne, dated War Department, March 31st, 1794.

"It is with great pleasure, Sir, that I transmit you the approbation of the President of the United States, of your conduct generally since you have had the command, and more particularly for the judicious and military formation and discipline of the troops—the precautions you appear to have taken in your fortified camps, and in your arrangements to have full and abundant supplies of provisions on hand. Continue, Sir, to proceed in this manner—and, your success will be certain."

True Extract from the Records of the War Office of the United States.

JOHN STAGG, Jun. Ch. Clk.

And the more effectually to root out any prejudices that may have arisen in the minds of some, from the piece called Stubborn Facts, we present the world with a letter to the Secretary of War from General Scott, who most certainly has a good right to know whether General Wayne merits censure or applause, he not only being the commander of the Kentucky volunteers, but also resided in that quarter, where any misconduct of the General would sooner be felt, and instantly made known.

Philadelphia, April 30, 1794.

SIR,

It is with real concern that I hear the reports in circulation here very injurious to the Commander in Chief of the Legion, and am not yet able to learn from what cause they have originated.

Among other things it has been hinted to me, that he has reported the conduct of the officers of the volunteer corps that I had the honor to command last campaign very unfavorably—if so, he has done them injustice in not discriminating.

To be sure, there were two subalterns that behaved very ill, and deserved the highest punishment—but I have too good an opinion of General Wayne, to suppose he ever possessed a thought of staining a whole corps for the misconduct of two bad men—I am sure there could be no cause for it, nor can I yet believe he has done so, until I am convinced by seeing his report to you on that head ; I hope there is no impropriety in your favoring me with a sight of it ; there are many other reports in circulation here highly injurious to that officer—I therefore think it my duty as far as comes within my knowledge to do him the justice he deserves. I waited on General Wayne the latter end of June, in order to make the necessary arrangements respecting the volunteers of Kentucky, during my stay I found him with great sobriety and extreme attention to the duty of the army, from that time until the 10th of October, (at which time I joined him) we kept up a constant correspondence relative to my duty, in which I found him clear and pointed in his instructions.

From about the 20th of October until the 9th of November, I was almost constantly with him, during which time he paid the most unwearied attention to every, the most minute thing possible in person.

Notwithstanding all this, I was unhappy to find some discontent in the army, whether it was owing to the change of discipline, the difference between garrison and field duty, the hardness of the duty, or the unequivocal orders enforced, I cannot say : they were all spoken of unfavourably by some.

However, so far as I am able to judge, taking every thing in view, the army was conducted with great propriety, never losing sight of the public good or the honor of the United States.

I believe there is not an officer that served with me under General Wayne's order but will cheerfully serve him again.

With esteem and regard,

I have the honour to be,

Your obedient servant,

(Signed) CHARLES SCOTT.

The Honorable Major General Knox, Secretary at War.

True copy from the original letter, on file in the War-Office of the United States.

JOHN STAGG, jun. Chief Clerk.

July 11th, 1794.

It may be proper to add, that the report which had been made by General Wayne to the Secretary at War was highly complimentary to General Scott and the officers under his command.

Read this ye calumniators and blush at your detection.

A FRIEND TO TRUTH.

P. S. The Printers who have published the piece called Stubborn Facts, are requested to give a place to this.