Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-07-02
LIEUTENANT KENNON'S TRIAL.
IConfinued.l
Commodore Porter examined. ,

my ewing you written declaration, that no
unfrlendly motives actuated me in the pub
iicatiOD which drew forth the remarks 10 the
Georgisn," you would be willing to Withdraw
the case
The witness here requested to see the writ
ten proposal referred to, and the same being
handed to him, he admitted that il ,cds the
proposal made by him to Lieutenant Ken
non. WhereupOn, it was read to the court,
and referred to Appendix which see, marked
81. y
Question. Did you make any offer, or
proposal, to do justice to my character and
feelings, or to take any measures to remOvo
the imputation on me of falsehood, malice,
and baseness'; or was your proposal solely to
Withdraw the charges, and suppress all pro-
ceedings?
Answer. My proposal was solely to with
draw the charges and suppress tho proceed
ings.
Question. In your anonymous publication
in the Georgian, you had publicly assailed my
letter to my commanding officer, (Capt. Hull, J
demanding my arrest, you had charged me
With falsehood and malice. In the charges
you furnished after my arrest, you had strong
~ intimated that had forged or fabricated a
letter. You reiterated the imputation of false
hood and malice, and charged me with using
base means to defame your character. When
you authorize Mr. Hanbleton to offer that pro-
posal, did you sincerely believe or expect,
that would, or ought, as an officer or a gem
aemd'', to accept your proposal? Would you
have cepted it from your equal in rank, who
had publicly charged you with falsehood,
baseness and malice
The witness here begged leave to state to
the Court, that he had never admitted that he
was the author of the publication in the
Georgian Ii he had misunderstood ques-
lions, and given answers to them which by
mIslnterpre,atOn may bear such a construc-
ton, he now entered this explanation on
the record. He had distinctly declined,
under the warning of the Court, any answers
to questions tending to that point.
The question last proposed to the witness
was theo altered, lby striking out, in the first
line, the words in your" and " you," and
substituting in the places of the two first, the
word The, and again proposed to the witness.
The witness expressing some objection TO
the question, the Court was cleared, and it
was decided it should be put to the witness.
Who, upon The opening of the Court, hear
ing the decision read, answered as follows
Answer. If my equal were to take back
the charges against me, should feel no diff
Guilty in accepting such a proposal. unless I
thought that the charges were false, and then
would stand a trial.
Question. You mean then, sir, do you,
that should have accepted the proposal, on
ly if thought the charges of faisehood, ma.
lice, and baseness, were true?
Answer. No. mean, if / thought that the
person bringing the charges, was acting under
an erroneous impression towards me, should
have no hesitation in giving such assurances,
In writing, as understood Il. Kennon had
given verbally mean, if were placed pre-
cisely in the situation ofLt. Kennon.
Question. Your proposal was, that " If l
would make declaration in writing, that no
unfrendy feeling actuated rue in the publica-
ton which drew forth the remarks in the
Georgian you would suppress all proceed
inss and withdraw your charges" Will you
be pleased to explain to the Court and to me,
how this declaration could have atoned for
neto causes Of offence, if had given any by
my subsequent acts
Answer. l have never said that the ac-
acknowledgement asked from you, would be
an atonement tor any new; never asked any
atonement; was willing TO forgive the Of
fence.
Question. Had you not, before nv arrest.
and before you made your proposition to me.
through MIR. HambletoD, seen my publication
in the Herald, Of the 10th N0yember. in which
declared that l had never, directly or indi-
rectly attempted TO iDjure your character,
and had not the editor Of the Herald absoIyed
me from all participation in the offensive para.
graph you ascribed TO me, and eyinced himself
to be the author of it /?
Answer. had seen several publications in
the Herald, under the signature efLt. Kennon.
in which were uDtruths, and could not re-
ceve any assurance in print, under his sigma
ture. felt it duty to myself to have any
future assurance under his own hand.
Question. Is the letter now shewn to YOU.
bearing date the l4,h January, 1924, an origin
al and genuine letter from you to me?
Answer. Yes, sir.
And the same was then read, and referred
to Appendix, which see, marked No. s8.)
Question, In this letter you say, 1.-THE ONLY
object had 10 view in arrestng you, has been
effected, that Of stopping offensive publica-
you now declare before this Court, that that
was your only object
Answer. | decline to answer that o,Ies
ton.
Question. In your letter to me Of the 5Oth
December 1895, you say, "It was the source of
regret TO me at this time, when you are on
the point Of departure, to feel myself under
tho unexpected necessity Of Causing YOU
to be arrested, and had it not been for the
length of time you are likely 10 bc absen,
certainly should have deferred il mill vo,,r
returnn Will you be kind enough to explain
this Did you believe, that after nv dsDnr.
lure, and during the length Of time 1 should
have beer absent 10 the Pacific, should con.
tinue to make offensive publications which Won
could only top by my arrest and detention in
the couotry2
Answer. At the time I arrested you. the
United States was expected To wait fer the
pa.coek, \ nd M anoner 60. -