Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-04-16
Statement Of Lieut.. Wcnrer from tie .Neto York
Ga-effe.

mAs we have been furnished with a statement
written by Lieutenant Weaver, to one OF the Navy
Commissioners, Justice requires of us to notice the
contents of official communication, which the
complainant in the us he is prepared
prove.
The statement before us commences with express
sions of acuteness of feeling which can be easily
imagined by an honorable man. Lieut.. Weaver
seems fully aware of the weight which the Chancel
tor's opinion will have upon the public mind, and
the injury which may result to him from the harsh
terms made of in his decision. He then pro-
Ceeds tostate:
That the reason why Lieut.. Weaver left the
Franklin, was, that Com. Stewart had promised him
the hrst Lieutenaucy; superior power declared it
inadmssible account of the application of senior
Iieutenants for the situation. But unable to fulfil
mis- engagement with Licnt. Weaver, and to avoid
she indehcacy OF retaining him on board in subor-
Ginate capacity, the Commodore, at Lieut.. Wea-
ver's request, allowed him to engage in the mcr-
chant service, with promise that if he went into
The Pacific Ocean, that he should have his friendly
countenance and protection, and that be mis- ht
him at Juan Fernandez, and receive the advantas &c
OF his convoy, with the other ships from New York,
the Canton and Post Captain; the latter command-
ed By Lieut.. Baldwin, of the II avy, which vessels
,vailing themselves of the same convoy offered TO
tie America, on board of which Lieut.. Weaver was
employed, but which he did not use. With this pri-
vilcge and the prafered kindness of Com. Stewart,
III company with Mr.. William Porter of this city,
the plan was submitted 20 Mr. Tibbits, and it was
agreed. the America should be loaded with -four and
provision. (no contraband CT wary Nj. Weaver to
take the management Of the ship and cargo, for one
fourth OF the profits.
This he states Is what our officers are pcrmiite ed
20 do every day. ne closed the contract and put his
initials TO the agreement. That the contract in the
present shape was kept back until the night before
;he America sailed, when the whole OF the parties
were assembled at the house of Mr.. Tib5ts, when
The present contract was produced-Lieut. Weaver
strennousy objected to the insertion of Commodore
Stewards name. In reply, it is stated the parties all
answered "there is nothing here stated that can IN
jure Commodore Stewart; lac has expressed to US
he would do every thing consistent with his duty, he
has made these promises what ycn subscribe does
not bind Stewart" Lieut.. w. yielded and affixed
his name, observing, that he would sooner perish
than injure Com. Stewart-and here Mr. Weaver
1elnarhs that the inSinuaon of the Chancellor that
Com. Stewart was to reap profit from Mr.. Wea-
vers private ard persona! services, totally ground
Ficss-that he is an honorable man, and Lieut.. w.
Sreely him from any pecuniary interest
Ill this transaction.
Lieut.. w. observes that the laws for the govern
ment of the navy have been his constant guide and
ehat he has never violated these laws-fhat il was
tor personal services that he received compensation
board the America, and the term bTl5e does not
apply TO him. He goes on TO state, that the u. s.
stores We're shipped on board the America some time
before the signing OF the contract, and 10y orders
from government. That Inc contract is dated ba ok
the 9th OF August, and that il was not seen or
signed by him until the evening of the Sd of Octo-
Der, the night before he sailed. Lieut.. w. acquils
himself of Intention to act incorrectly: and Bit
tcrly aments the shape in which the transaction is
placed before the public and hopes, with innocence
or MS side TO make 1t appear that the terms of the
Chancellor do not apply to him. that the remenl-
brance OF thirteen years OF honorable service, and
trife of blood shed in the service of his coun-
try, are net to be efaced by his unsuspectug
actions with men Of business; and, that the stain
attempted 10 be upon his honor, viii be wiped
away.
Lieut. w. concludes tlis letter with expressing a
wish for, and i'll TACT courting investigation o.
Ais conduct