Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-06-15

notwithstanding the deadly malice he ascribes
to me, he has not been able to fix ON me one
uniSind expression, one hostile measure. one act
or word injurious to him, though he has endea-
yorcd to draw them from that confidential in.
tercourse with my family and brother officers.
where he must have found them, had ever EN-,
tcrtained such feeling and opinion towards him.
as to the publication in the Herald, ON the
9Th of September, which furnishes the subject
OF the first specification, in the second charge.
whatever may be its offensive passages, they
could afford no Justification. [ am no way re-
sponslole Tor them. For, not only is there no
PROOF That authorized the passages complained
ol; but there is the most distinct, unouestiooa-
Die, and uncontradictcd testimony of the editor,
Mr.. BrouShton, that they were published, not
only without my consent, but without my know
iedge. Even as TO the parts admitted by Capt
Porter to be innocent, it has been proved that /
did not volunteer to publish them, but welded
to the solicitations ofthe printer for their inser
ton.
captain Porter, however, endcavo-s to de-
rive another imputation against me from this
publication. He says, in the first specification
oil the second charge, that should have contra
dicted 1t. Had the attack in the Herald been
ever SO gross and direct, what obligation was |
under to make his vindication, To defend the
reputation of a brother officer from unmcrited
which hope shall never be unwilling to per-
form. But il is of that class of duties, the per
lormance OF which must be left To spontaneous
disposition, and the omission to do SO can never
be considered the groundwork of prosecutions;
and, of'all men living, Captain Porter was the
last who had right to expect il from me. For
not only has lie forfeited all claims on INV gene
rosity by his unIncrited libel, but, by strange
inconsistency at this very trial, has declared
himself absolvcd from all obligations of correct
ing the injuries that he had done INC even after
he was aware of the injustice, on the single
ground that hisnan,e was not signed to the libel.
though it wa. published by his direction
But event his preteSt of complaint is without
foundation. For it is distinctly in proof. that.
on the morning that puliic1ii31 appeared. being
about 10 leave Norfolk for Washington, [ sent a
message TO the printer, pointing out the mac
curacy, and requesting its correction. Nci-
Their nor any one else, perceived in it any i'm
putation on Captain Porser; but perceived il
to be an lnaccuracy, and wished it to be correc-
ted. And of all this it is distinctly proved, not
only by Captain Sinclair, but by Captain Porter
himself, he was fully Informed long before my
arrest. Even in his letter 10 the editor of the
Georgian, lie acquits me OF this head, although
nc has since made it the subject OF a charge "a
gainst me.
But this publication Of the 10Th of Noyem-
Der, Is made the foundation of the fourth spec;f-
cation of the second charge, in these words ;
''and byJolsety declaring in the Herald, that he
never made reluctant apology; and publicly
recalling it, after he had obtained all the adyan-
tages resulting from a reluctant apology made
to mc.n
In us tran ton, the mingled pride and an
ger OF Captain Porter have obscured his judg-
ment, usually SO correct. Now, if this specii-
cation were true, how would it support the
charge? BY what process of, logic could the
facts that had falsely denied, that I had made
reluctant apology, or hal recalled it, after at
tanning It's advantages, support the charge it is
intended to sustain? Such conduct might in
deed prove me to be very base and cowardly:
but surely would not support the charge, that
had used CHASE means for de:anino his charac-
ter.''
But wholly deny every matter ofths speci-
fication. never did make reluctant apology
to Captain Porter, nor have ever retractcd the
apology did make. did make an apology TO
Capt. Porter, notreluctantly, but spontaneously
IRON no crayenfear of his power noscycopbanti,;
wish Tor his favor, but the honest conviction
that had misunderstood his motives, and done
injustice 10 his measures. | made it from the
sentiment, which l hope no false pride will ever
extinguish in my heart, that he who is most
ready to atone an unintcntional wrong, will not
be less readyto resist iniu5ticc and j pity any
man, III any there be,) whose Judgment and
heartare SO yitiated as to mistake the frank and
candid Acknowledgements, which an honest mind
takes pleasure in pro.ferng, for the calculating
bascncss which seeks safety iii Ienoniny, and
purchases security by dshonor. The facts arc
all before you. Believing that Captain Porter
had made difference between the reconmcn-
dation IN any my favor, and that given to other
officers, frankly applied to him on the subject
N pp of
oircbuke; in no tone ofsupplication but in the
respectful and candi language which it bene-
fits an inferior to use to his superior, when he
means to demonstrate.
Do not believe am an advocate for ins,,bor-
dination. Ifonc expression of that character
can be found IN my letter, | merit punishment,
and will patiently lure it. That did moi
take mp this impression without apparent f,un-
dation, the letter given 10 Lieutenant Rose.
will prove. And where may an officer hope TO
obtain redress, if not from his superior officer,
applied TO frankly, not disrepcctuly, but with
dcfcrcncc and conf lcnce in his Justice, Cap
tam Portcr's reply disclai;ncd all intention 10
disparare me, offered to alter my ORDERS if thew
differed from those TO other officers with the
franlSncss OF an ficcr, pointed out my rnscon-
coption, and with the just pride of my superior,
mentioned the injustice had done him. did
what it would have been dishonor in me as a
man, disgraccful to me as an officer, to have
onitte1. waited on him. lie was at pains
to convince me ofmy error; exhibited his order
book; compared my orders with those of other
officers; explained why a different letter had
been given 10 Lieut.. Rose and proGered me a
similar one if asked. Had not expressed my
regret, aud acknowlc ICED the moincntary in
justice had done him, [ should, indeed, have
mcrited rcproach. did SO freely, and from my
heart; and thought, with bin, that the matter