Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-03-06


addressed 10 me letter written by himself,
which he caused Il, he laid on the table IN the
cabin, and which 1 received at VERY late
hour: The letter being couchcd in Language
winch deemed indecorous and diSreSpectiul,
seat for him and demanded WIN he thus adj
dressed me, and particularly why he had Sc
lectod "A time 50 obviously improper. He i'm
mediatei> assumed manner so irritating and
so contemptuous, that believed IL my duty
to arrest, (after having expressed 10 him my
indignation at such coutiucO and for this pui-
pose sent for the second marine officer al The
same tame ordering him TO be Sileut. Ip utter
disregard OF this order, though repeatedly
warned ofthe consequences OF Iii, slsobedi-
ence, he perseyered IN tie same in rifatny tone
and mannei until at iengtII, after reitera,ing
attempts to effect his silence. gave him blow.
Frequent outrage added 10 ireuucnt insult
provoked this disagrceable consequences
Mortified that should so far forget myself,
as TO raise my arm against any officer holding
commission in the service OF the IT, States,
however improper his conduct might have
been, and however just the cause, 1 immedi-
ateiy. III conformity of this principle, offered
To make such an apology as should he proper
Tor both tins proposal was refused, which pre-.
Guided the necessity of any further overtures
The o1er was consonaut 10 the views Of some
OF the most distinguished officers of The soma.
dron, after being fa!ly acquainted with every
particular.
From m. having been educated in the strict
est discipline at The navy, in which respect
and obedienct 10 a superior was insiilIc,l into
my mind as fundamental and leadiur princi-
pie; ana from natural disposition TO cIiastise
lnSoience andimpertinence, Immediately when
offered me, even in priyate-iite, must be refer
rcd the burst of mdi.nant feeling which
prompted me to int3ict personal satisfaction on
an ofhcer Mo TINS darlngly outraged tho vital
interests OF the service in his own person
L have gone through ihiS unpleasant recital
with as much candor and concisemesS as possi-
Die. might indeed - ejail to Won other acts
OF aeiinquency iii this officer, but VIII not
tutther weary You with the Circumstance of
TINS unfortnsate affair, but condne inyself To
the request that You will be pleased to order a i
court OF enquiIyor court martial as YOU NAV
see AT, TO examine into the causes which led
to tins seeming Injunction of the laws of the ne.
Wy.
Alter eighteen years of imporiant ard ardn-
Gus services in the cause of my country ii can
haruiy be imagined that | have any disposti.
on 10 infringe that discipline which is the pride
anu ornament Of the navy : and to nreyent ANY
intention beng falsely ascribed to me | her
you VIII give immediate attention TO this re.
guest, mat the navy well as nv country
shaii De satIsned of the integrity of nv mo-
uVes. 1 have the honor to be- sir. very re-
spectfnlly, you obedicnt servant
70, signed( o. II. PERRY.
d9Te ana commander in Chief Unit
cd States naval forces Mediteira-
mean.
Mr.. president, gentlemen ofthe Court.
shail coufine myself 20 "a few hrief remarks
on me subject which has brought me before
tiiS honorable court, begging leave to refer
them TO my letter TO tile commander in chief.
requesting this court martial for detail of
circumstances, trusting, that a character yaiu.
eu IN long and honorable service, is safe in
the possession of gentlemen of your rank ard
professional respectabilrv
am deprived of a most important witness
In my Favor by the absence of Mr. Anderson
VINO was present 1T the commencement OF this
aiiaii (the time the conduct OF the Dyoser,i
Tor was most offensive j il is my good fortune
however, that several of the members of this |
court nave frequently heard him express his |
opinion OF ihe provoking and inSuiting conduct
OF captain Heath particularly OF, his rutrance
INTO my cabin; this cannot fail 10 have IFS
"eighl OH the mind of the court as from the |
peruilar situation at . captain (ai,d such was
m!us ne may be ln>uited when alone IN his |
cabin, while his prosecutor shall have the adj
vantage OF cOTporAiS and privates stattoned ot
MS noor, 10 dlStort and minsie circumstances
and language impertectly seen or heard. Al |
inohgh had been SO highly msulted by capt
Heath, aud not only on This occasion, hut on
others, yet as | had raised my hand arainsf
nun, white holding commission Immediate.
ly ifom the consideration, Offered him Dromrt
ana honorable atonement, as will appear by
the paper signed by capt Crane and iiepfe
nant NJ PhersOn, which they deemed snffci
eat, ana earnestly recommended TO his accep
rance, but notwithstanding this ufGcer had be
iore sniieTed a Dow and FOR which ne was
content to receive moderate Satisfaction vet
I MS was TOO favorable an opportunity to give
his commander (who had frequently overlook
ed his offences) trouble, To let pass. I must ap-
peal TO The knowledge the president aud mem
Ders OF las respectable court have ofmy gene
RAJ cnaIacier f?r reputation of these charges,
and ask i'll is possible that would ia wau.
tonness commit an act of violence. No, gen.
tlemen, it was the outrageous conduct of That
oihcer that produced the consequence that re-
suited-i VIII therefore leave my case inyour
hands, with perfect confidence in vour Justice
and liberal construction OF the delicate sitna
alton IN which am, and was then placed. with
ono more remark, viz. the evident contra
ten of a part thereof.