Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-04-02
RICHMOND, APRIL ., 1874.

we blush To avow We are the ardent friends
OF Navy. 1t is the right arm of our de-
fence. II has already covered our country
with glory and borne our name to the re-
hottest corners of the earth. We entertain
profound gratitude for the services of Com.
Porter sincere respect for the character of
the Hero of Valparaiso. We are anxious
tor variety ofreasons to be on the hest terms
with the Secretary of the May. But, the
Navy isa public astitution-Co Porter and
MIR. Southland are public officers, and they
must appear at the bar ofpublic opinion.
| Every man in this nation is Interested in the
character fthe Navy. II ought to be cleared
| from all abuses and corruptions.--It has late
ly become the object of official scrutiny. We
have just seen Capt. S. Smith cashiered by
a court martial at Norfolk, for having convey.
ed, on board the Hornet, quantity of cochi
neal from La Vera Cruz to the Havana
but ID consideration of his long services, and
the peculiar circumstances of the case, he was
recommended TO mercy-and the President
restored him TO his rank: The Secretary Of
the Navy, IN his general order remarked, that
The circumstances which this defence relies we're
not such as to justify his conduct The character of the
American Naval officers be preserved FREQ from the
reproach OF violating the laws and the suspicion of those
offences which arise from private cupidy the desire
OF gain"
Another case has been Just disclosed i'm the
decision of Chancellor Sanford, of ~. 1t
seems that Lieut.. Weaver uttered into a con-
tract with certain merchants of the city of ~
f.-stating that Com. Stewart was about
proceeding to the Pacific in the Franklin "a.
and being IA particular friend Of Lit. w. and
DESTROYS of aiding him, would give particn-
lar protection TO ship and cargo in which he
was interested"-and, therefore, in conse-
quence of this special guarantee, these mer-
chants lifted out ship and cargo, flour and
sailed provisions,) To proceed TO Lima. The
Lieut.. was to put on board said shiPa quantity
of stores for the Franklin on which freight was
10 be paid-the ship WAS then to pass as an u.
States store ship, and Weaver was 10 go
IN her. he was 10 receive 1 -5th of the nett
profits of the voyage ont. She arrived 1T
Lima sold eer cargo at a great proft-the
Hour at S "a per barrei-he actually pocket
ted " on account of the nett profits, oniy
the sum of S IL, 366"-but complained that a
valuable part of The cargo was taken out and
sold without his knowledge, and in fraud of
his rights. He sued for the residue of his
share of the plumber. The Chancellor decid-
ed that the America was not store ship and
that Ter being sent out with stores, was onl,
tn give her cargo the guise of public proper
ty of the u. S that this contriyance was a
fraud upon the q. S., their public service and
their sovereignty; a fraud upon the rights o.
other nations; and fraud in all respecls''-
that this contract being illegal, its execution
cannot be enforced, and the suit is dismissed
with costs"
Here is another case for the Secretary ofl
the Navy lock into Bat where such cases
Occur there IS omething rottenn the stat,
OF Denmark and thrPress must not b.. O
squeamish IN lending its aid TO promote a free
and full investigation
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
Fiat Justitia, ruat CGlem.
W1ShiH gton .Nurch 1921
No circumstance has occurred in the domestic
history OF our navy, which has excited more gene
raj ierng OF curiosity and inquieude than the late
arrest aud trial of 1t. kennon upon charges pre-
ierred against him by Com. Porier.-Nor has the
conduct of the Department upon a case of The kind
ever been more calculated tarnsh the well earned
reputation of The service and PROSTATE The rights
and feelings of The young officers. L., Kennon was
tired Tor defending himself against an anonytous and
hbeiioWS attack published IN the Savannah Georgian
oil the 9h October last, though called upon to ,lo
! by the author OF thai piece who charged him with
having uttered " rank fdiSehoodS and Nth assdiLD0
the decision and independent judgment of his COM
rnd"der in chief and The Captain General Of Cuba,
in publication made in the Norfolk Herald nm his
arrival in the schr Wea8e relative to The capture of
the 'anish schr. Segunda G,Ileapn
Ia his defence agaiast these harsh allegations L.
kennon had TO contend against a covert and masked
Toe ior beng about 10 sail for the Pacific Ocean he
vas not able, preparatory his answer, to Obtain
ON the Georgia Editor clear and unequlvocal proof
who The author was TINT had made these violent
charges against hun.
In language modest, dgnifed and respectfu and
| 10 his own proper name, he replied 10 the snony-
nous writer, and by The irresistible force Of truth
and The testimonial Of his commander given 10 hir,
~ parting he carried conviction home 10 the bosoms
and feelings OF every reader, that the Enumeration
and abuse which had been heaped upon him nv tlp
GeofgIan writer vas as unwarrantabe il was un-
de>erved-Bui, Tor this and other notifications Of
his innocence, open frank and respecfulhe was Az
rested by Com. Porter some time afterwards upon
ihe strange aud anomalous ground that the remarks
made hy L.. KeUnOn against the Georgian wfer
w.re intended for him, although Com. 2. would not
acknowledge himself TO he the nuihor-either NJ tl,a
tme or ~ u subsequent examination Of nine tlays
] beloro the court martial At which he appeared 10
sustain his prosecutions. Not FOR one single charge
made by the Georgia paper against LIT. kennon ac
cusiDg h'm with " utleTing rank fasehoods and as
sailing the independent judgment of his commander
in chief, hut, as the charges shew fnr the manner
IN which kennon thought proper defend himself
and rs letter from Com. 2. TO him declares 20
prere"t offensive publications. IN the nsuplpeys Thus
~ 'niau"s, strange us u may seem that his arrest
" founded not 20 much upOh any hing which If
X. had publ shed, rs upon what Com p feared he
might pnbsh. Upon charges OF this character bro
against L. X. on the Of sailing for the Pacific
as Isl ~ OF Inc u D. Frigate, aud whea he had in
CURED considerable expense for his outfit, did the
Secretary uf the Navy confirm his arrest and sum
mon court ms respectable and intelligent ne the
roll OF The navy could furnish, saying Com r. A.
the same tune that he niusi rem ain aud attend tie
trial = as II became NE duty Of The Department hrmiy
end promptly 10 epqNire into dfSpmfs Of such nG-
"hTe rs That ciich had tkea pice bsilgsea him and
" II. KenHon." During an drduous aud able inyes-
tigahon of three weeks the Georgun publication
was made the gs' Of the whole iria-for, howe
YER, desirable on The part Of The prosecutor IL was 30
keep 'lia piece oot Of view, IL rs important to
the prisoner, u showed he made known aud placed
on fic record 81 the court rs lie had then no doaht
Com. 7. WAS The author Of ". aud ~ it was 1T H.
principal J"suhra'ion md reiancr against the Trial To
Which he was then so vexatousy Subjected. No
L. llilili ~ L..