[ 1 ] 8 



not been so. But the effect of this order is inevitably of sucli a nature, as 

 to humiliate and degrade not actually from command alone, but in the gen- 

 eral inferential estimate of my companions in service. This order was given 

 whilst I was in command : can there be a doubt but that its effect would 

 be just as I state when it was not preceded by one of removal from the 

 post? This would have been one of the easiest things in the world, and 

 my character in some degree saved. It would even afterwards have been 

 remediable, by a rescission of the order in question, before ordering me from 

 my post ; but this has not been done, another injury has however still fur- 

 ther been done me. I have been ordered to another post, to make room 

 for my junior in rank whom I had commanded. The first order still re- 

 mains and the imputation remains with all its consequences. I ask the Pre- 

 sident confidently, to interpose his just power and authority in his high ca- 

 pacity of constitutional commander-in-chief of the army of the United 

 States to relieve an officer from an odium which has been imposed without 

 cause, and which if permitted to continue must render his commission com- 

 paratively valueless. 



With sentiments of the highest respect, 



I have the honor to be your obedient servant, 



THOS. T. FAUNTLEROY, 

 Col. First Regiment U. S. Dragoon:^. 

 N. B. The attention of the President is respectfully called to a copy of 

 the memorial of the officers at Carpus Christi sent to Congress in 1845,. 

 which is herewith sent. 



MEMORIAL 



FOR THE THE CONSIDEUxVTION OF THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES .- 



To the President of the Senate : 



Sir : — The undersigned, officers of the United States, feel themselvc^v 

 imperatively called upon to present their opinions upon the subject of brevet 

 rank, and respectfully ask that the same may be laid before the Senate of 

 the United States, in' order that the subject may be properly brought be- 

 fore Congress, to the end that a question which has more or less agitated 

 the nvmj ever since the war of 1812, may be legally and finally put to 

 rest. 



The immediate occasion we now have for presenting this to your attention 

 may be seen in a letter from the Head Quarters of the army, under the di- 

 rection of the Major General commanding the army, dated "Adjutant Ge- 

 neral's office, Washington, November 17, 1845," addressed to brevet Bri- 

 gadier General Taylor, and which was printed " as a circular for the infor- 

 mation of the arniy," by order of the Major General commanding, on the 

 19th of November, 184o. Copies of this letter, it is presumeil, may be 

 had at the office of the Adjutant General of the army. The letter appears 

 to have been written in reply to certain questions on the subject of brevet 

 rank, submitted by brevet Brigadier General Taylor, which seem to have 

 been proposed with a view of obtaining the decision of His Excellency the 

 President of the United States. The General-in-chief proceeds to say, that 



