Speech of Mr. Smyth, on the restriction of slavery in Missouri. Delivered in the House of Representatives of the United States, January 28, 1820
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Regulations for the Field Exercise, Manvres, and Conduct of the Infantry of the United States microform
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Alexander Smyth was an American soldier during the War of 1812 and congressman in the Virginia Senate.
Background
He was born on the Island of Rathlin, Ireland, in 1765. He was brought as a child to Virginia by his father, the Rev. Adam Smyth, who became rector of the Episcopal parish of Botetourt, at Fincastle, Botetourt County. Here Alexander grew up during the American Revolution.
Education
He completed his preparatory studies at home, later read law.
Career
Smyth was appointed deputy clerk of Botetourt County when he was twenty years old. He was licensed in 1789 and began practice at Abingdon, Virginia. He maintained a practice in Wythe County until his death. In 1792, 1796, 1801-02, and 1804-08, he served in the Virginia House of Delegates, and in 1808-09 in the state Senate.
Meanwhile, July 8, 1808, President Jefferson had commissioned him colonel of the Southwest Virginia rifle regiment, and on July 6, 1812, upon the outbreak of war with Great Britain, he was appointed inspector-general with the rank of brigadier-general, United States Army. In this year he published Regulations for the Field Exercise, Manoeuvres, and Conduct of the Infantry of the United States.
At his own request he was given command of a brigade of regulars ordered to Niagara for the projected invasion of Canada. Here he quarreled with his superior officer, Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer of the New York militia, as to whether the crossing into Canada should be made above or below the Falls. Van Rensselaer, without the cooperation of Smyth, attempted to cross below, failed for lack of support by his own forces, and was relieved of his command at his own request.
His force was then turned over to Smyth, who took command at Buffalo, October 24, 1812, and issued a boastful and confident address promising immediate conquest of Canada. On November 25 he gave orders to prepare for crossing, at Black Rock, above Buffalo. Two detachments crossed successfully on the morning of November 28, but by that afternoon it was discovered that only 1, 200 of the 4, 500 men could be embarked on the boats from the navy yard; Smyth, probably correctly, refused to risk fighting with less than 3, 000 men, and a council of war decided to abandon the project. After one more attempt to cross, December 1, the illorganized, untrained, and ill-equipped army dissolved.
He asked permission to visit his family in the winter of 1812-13, which was granted by Dearborn. Before his leave expired, by an act of Congress reorganizing the staff, he was "legislated out" of the army.
He sent a petition to Congress, couched in somewhat sentimental terms, asking that his name be replaced on the list of officers, that he might "die, if Heaven wills it, in the defence of his country", but no action was taken in the matter. His own people in Virginia retained their confidence in him, however, and sent him to the House of Delegates, 1816-17 and 1826-27, and to every Congress, except the Nineteenth (1825 - 27), from 1817 until his death.
In his later years he wrote An Explanation of the Apocalypse, or Revelation of St. John (1825). In 1811 had appeared Speeches Delivered by Alexander Smyth, in the House of Delegates and at the Bar. He died at Washington, and was buried in the Congressional Cemetery.
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Connections
In January 1791, he married Nancy Binkley of Wythe County, and the next year established his home there. He was the father of two sons and two daughters.