Jones, R[oger]:

THE NATURE OF BREVET COMMISSIONS, BRIEFLY CONSIDERED.

[np: 1822]. Autograph Document Signed, [4] pp. A single leaf, folded to 8-1/2" x 14." Completely in ink manuscript, with several phrases underlined for emphasis. Old folds, light toning, a couple of short closed tears expertly repaired. Very Good.

The author's long essay denounces "This baneful system of Brevet Appointments." Jones [1789-1852] a veteran of the War of 1812 and career Army officer, was the longest-serving Adjutant General of the Army [1825-1852].
"When the Nation found herself in Arms with one of the most powerful belligerents in the world, it was then thought by the Government both wise & just to habilatate the hope of those who were martialed as her land defenders, with the pleasing allurements of honor and of promotion. . . It was, then, on the broad principle of common justice, as well as of sound policy declared 'That the President be authorized to confer brevet rank on such officers of the Army as shall distinguish themselves by gallant actions or meritorious conduct'. . . The reduction of the Army after the Peace with Great Britain however, invented a spurious kind of brevet, which in my humble opinion, if not ignoble, is arguably illegal. This new fangled species of brevet commissions . . . is perhaps better known in common parlance by the beautiful term of 'Razeling'."
The process entailed reducing the rank of the officer by "one of more grades below the commission he had actually held, and then by some necromantic power strangely brought up by brevet to the grade from whence he had been precipitated." The strange process is described and ridiculed in detail. Item #38909

Price: $500.00