Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-06-22
LIEUTENANT KENNON'S TRIAL.
tCe~sinasd
Commodore Porter examined;
Uuited States Navy Yard,
Gosport, VIRGINIA. Mond.x. E.h. 2 a. n ,s,

1 fCommod0re Porter examined;
| United States Navy Yard,
m, Sosport, Virginia, Monday, Feb. ?. A. d. 1924.
Inc court met, pursuantto adjourni..ent
Menbers present as on Saturday.
~ sieSisnsnt Beverly Kennon, appeared. ant
| capt. David Porter, Of the United States
Navy being introduced, and duly sworn, wa.
examined, as follows, by the Judge Advocate
question. Had you any difficulty with Lit
kennon, previously to his return ia The United
States, from the West Indies, which resulted
! IN an explanation between you?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. After this explanation, did Lieut.
kenaon offer an apology, or did you extori
one from him !?
Answer l eracied one from him.
Question. What were the terms and condi-
lions OF that apology
Answer. That would allow him to carry
home with him the same compliment in the
orders had given him, Which had given to
other officers
question. Are you in possession of any
facts connected with the publications in the
Herald, which go to prove the malicious intent
OF those publications If yea, be pleased to
state them.
Answer. On two occasions had difficult
Ties with MIR. Kennon, in my command
abroad and never had difficulties with gny
officer similarly situated under my command.
The day gave him his orders to return
home, or the following day, exacted an apo
Iogy from him for an offensive letter which he
wrote to me, charging me with Injustice. A
note which wrote to him, brought him on
board the Sea Gull convinced him, ,at leas,
ne seemed TO be convinced,) that what he
Charged me with was not csrrect; Showed
him the orders under which other officers had
gone home, and compared them with his
ne couidslnd no difference, and then I de,
manded an apology from him Lieut.. Ken
non attempted to excuse himself under the
wrong Impressions he was under, and stated
10 me that ought to make allowances for
them: informed him that he had charged
me without an explanation, and that nothing
Tess man an unqualified apology would answer;
o'herwse must strike out from his orders
the compliment had paid him. Mr. Keunop.
after some hesitation, then acknow lodged tina;
ne had done me an injustice, and made AN
apology, the terms of which dictated to him.
oy saying; "you ought, at least, to say that
you had done me an injustice, and that YOU
regretted it." He then asked me if would
permit him to take back the letter hs had
written me, and which had given offence I
told him, "yes y il is lying on the settee, take
u, never wish to hear of the subject again:
He took the letter, and, in my presence. tore
It to pieces. don't know that any thing
passed between Lieut.. Kennon. and myself,
afterwards, or that saw him again bvfor. he
sailed don't know of any particular neces-
sly my seeing him again, and he sailed in a
day or two.
Here the witness was going into detail of
facts connected with the detention of the Sc
gunda GaIego, when the accused offered the
following propositiOn:i
how transactions occurring in the West
Indies can affect the question of malice in the
publications, more than any other act IN lent
KennOn's life, the prisoner, with great AZ.
ference to the Court, cannot perceive. He has
however, no objection to the inquiry, provided
u be distinctly understood, and entered ON the
record, that ne is at liberty to use the same
license in Investigating the motiveso of Captain
forter, and the acts of Captain Porter. in
respect TO the Gaeso, and all other matters
". wn'cn may tend TO nix the charge of malice on
The prosecutor, and thus rfpel the ATTEMPTS bv
these circumstances, to fix il on him.
The Court was cleared, and after de,;ber,
uon,l was resolved, that il was inproper IN
go INTO the farther investigation of the .sccus-
ed while under the command of Commodore
Porter, in the West Indies And the Conr,
being opened, and the accused. witness ,nd
audience admitted, the examination of Car,
Porter, was resumed. f''
question. Have you any knowledge of de-
claratIons on the part of Lieut.. Kennon IN
other persons, either citizens or officers
which, connection with the facts stated nv,
you, or the publications referred 10. On IN snt
stantlate The malicious character of those oub-
locations p""
Answer. l only know Of the publications
themselves, and the facts which led IN tho
bad feelings which produced them.
Question. Has the general ch.....rr.
Kennen, while under your command noon
strongly marked by INSTRUMENTATION, and a
spirit Of disaffectiDn ""N
Answer. Mr.. Kenpon was mt lo,r .no,nh
with me, at any one time. TO form any esli-
mate OF his general character as an officer.
Cross. examined by the accused, as foIiows
Question by accused. Is the letter now nro-
duced to you, bearing date, "Sea Gull Por,
Rodgers, 18th August, 1885," and beginning
sir )" protesting TO be letter from ynu !"
me, genuine, original letter from ycu to me.
signed with your proper hand sx
Answer. Yes.
Question. ttcontaios the expressions % with
assurances thar il will ever afford me nIe,sur.
to be associated with you on duty nle.se
to accept my best wishes for speedv and
PHEASANT passage, and a happy sight Of your
friends.
Very Respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
ID. PORTER
[" L. Comdr Beverly Rennob."
Have these expressions been changed. adj
ded to, diminished, or transposed, or IN aov
manner altered since that letter was written.