The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1822-11-29
CAPTAIN NULL.

Tesrr,e eur opinion rs 10 the Innocence or
Guilt OF tis asicer, .latiye TO the charges
al peeulatiou made against him as Naval
Commander on the CharlestoHn station,
until the 5ecision of the Conrt-martI1l DE-
tailed TO examine into them, had been made
public. This has been d0ne. Alter a Ia
borions investigation, they have arrived at
the eonclusions which will he seen IN the
subioined opiniou." Wercjoiee exceed
inely at the result of the examination IL
elovaics tie lltro Of the Constitution"
who FIRST bfobe the magic charm which
gave TO British proves on thu high seas,
the character OF ,n,iueibilIty, The esliIaa-
Don of his eountrymcn. AS "a lamb be
t&e lis sheHers is dumb" so are they, who
had hoped to have itin their power 10 de-
tract from the well-carned reputation Of
Isaac Hull, Ills fame viii wear we'll and
last long -for IL has not only been dearly
honght--bat it has been purified from
the least faint OF suspicion by severe test
---passing, untarnished, through the cruel
Die of public opinion We regret that we
have not room for thee idence given in on
the trial 6ut tits, IN ilseiG rendered uun-
tercsting by the COD. tisioas te which it
leads, aud which follow
OPINION.
This Court is Of upinien that the com
version OF articles in this Yard, belonging
10 the United States, to the private use Of
individuals, whether BY loan, eSchaa... 90
otherwise, is incorrect. But, as il appear5
10 the satisfaction Of tbs Court, That III
the articles which have been 50 converted
IL private use, with the consent or know
ledge of Capt Hull, have also been rcpa-
eed, by similar or other articles of equal Or
greater value, the Court are therefore Of
opinion that no loss has in fact resulted lo
tn Uniied States aud that no fraud yas
praetised, sanctioned or intended BY Cap.
tain Hull ia these transactions.
The Court are further Of opinion, that
the employment of persons, while in the
pay of the L. States, fot the private adj
santiago of individuals; excepting such as
ere specially allowed by the regulations, is
opinion, that in the particlar instances Of
this kind which were sanctioned or known
To Captain Hull, the deviation frem the
regulations has not been the cause of loss
10 the United States. -.
The Court air fmthcr Of opinion, that
the deviation IN this Yard, from the regu-
lations prescribing particular forms to be
observed, ia mastering and paying persons
employed in Navy Yards, Tor The United
States, was improper, inasmpch as such
deviation was made without the precious
sanction of the Navy Departments. But, IL
Is also the opinion of this Cout, thit no
loss has resulted 10 the United States from
this deviation.
The Court arc further of opinion, that
the permission gfauted to Lieut. PEREZ, al
10 visit Europe, by Capt. Hull, without the
previous sanction of the Secretary ui the
Navy, was Incorrect But, the Court are
iufthei ofeplnion thai 40 iniury did, in fact,
result to the United states lrom the per-
mission thus granted.
This Court are further OF opinion, that
Capt. liull, in allowing articles belonging
10 himself. 10 be paccdin the public stores,
containing similai articles belonging to the
Uated States. ard IN permitting the same
persons to muster AID pay, at the same
sine and place within he Navy Yard, men
employed for'his private benefit, aud other
men who were employed for the United
States, vas iudiscreet, iuasnuch as such
coaduet though in itself innocent, may,
nevertheless, give rise, in the minds Of per-
sons not acquainted with the READ nature
aud all the particulars of such transactions,
to sague mPressioUs of misconductin pub
JIG officers.
The Court are further OF opinion, that
The charge, made lay Capt Hubs orders,
against Tie United States, for the medicines
furnished for the use of his family, by Or.
Elliot, was allowed 'i,y the general usage OF
the service at that time.
The Court are further of opinion, that,
in withholding his sanction 10 allowances
Jof chamher-rnoney, fuel and candles, To
officers not permanently attached TO the
Yard, CAPT Hall was justified by his in
structons from the Navy Department.
The Court are further OF opinion, That
n his conduct towards the officers, me-
.chanics and Others, under his command,
Capt Hull has been guilty Of no act Of OPP
preston or unlustiahlr severity, bu, on
the contrary, be has, SO far Us was consis
tent with his duty 10 thp United States.
granted every proper indulgence.
The Court are flg,her .af opinion, that
TIE purchase OF property, in the immediate
vicinity of public stations, by officers al
;scted 10 such stations, may excite surmi-
ses injurious to the reputation Of such OH
GERS, andthsrefore is no. discreet. YET /;
rs the opinion Of The Court, that the paIti-
cuar purchases Of This hind made by Capt
Eaii were made with no improper vlew OF
private advantage to himself, bat orsina-
ted ia soae,tude for the public iaterest. and
Sere Fruseca. ri with exrec atoms of pub
lie seneh;, whicl the UpRld States, in fac
r. .. a1 Al