Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-06-11
LIEUT.. KENNON'S TRIAL
3CoNTINUED.l
UNITED STATES NAVY Yam

UNITED STATES NAVY YARD,
Gosport, "a. Thursday, Feb. IL, "A. ID. 1924.
The Court met, pursuant to adjournment
Members present as on yesterday. Lieut.. Ken
non, appeared, and Mr.. Samuel Harnbleton, n
Purser in the Navy of the United States, being
introduced, and lawfully sworn, was examined,
as follows, on the part of the prosecutions:
Question by the Judge Advocate. Were
you the bearer of message from Com. Porter
10 Lieut.. Beverly Kennon, subsequent to the
arrest of the latter officer? IF yea, be pleased
TO state to the court, what that message was.
Answer. | saw Com. Porter, on the first day
Of January; he told me, he had received let
ter from Lieut.. Kenuon, (Which he then held in
his hand, that it was of courteous NATURE and
he thought that by the interpostion of mutual
friend, an adjustment of the differences between
Lieut.. kennon and himself, might be effected.
expressed my satisfaction at this, and the plea
sure II would afford me to see reci nciliation
brought about between persons for WI ON had
so much respect and esteem, and moreover
stated 10 Com. Porter, in confirmation o. i,,s
impression, that had had conversation with
Lieut. Kennon, on the subject in which he had
expressed hinselfin terms of respect and good
will towards Com. Porter, and in which he had
stated to me, that in the publication which drew
forth the remarks in the "Georgian,n he had no
intention TO injure Com. Porter. Com. Porter
glvc him sucha statement, in writing, that he
wonld, with pleasure, withdraw the charges; ]
Immediately went to Lieut.. Kennon, and stated
the substance of that proposition mot as COM
ing from Com. Porter, but from myselfl I, how
ever, gave him distinctly TO understand that in
the event his assent to such an arrangement,
1 had no doubt of the acquiescencc of Com. Por
ter; Lieut.. kennon, observed, that he had al
ready given what was required of him, in his
pirhl of. no L
could do no more. I read him that paragraph
III his publication of the above date, beginning
with the words, 'sthe whole object;n and endino.
with the words, sswith which it is offered and
asked him why he could not state those scnti-
ments in writing? He replied, 81 will not say
any thing but what have said in the newspa-
pers;" thereby, Iefusingthe proposal had made
to him; then changed the subject, and soon
after retired, Lieut.. Kennon followed me into
the street, and we conversed upon the subject
some length thine; during the conversation he
asked me distinctly, if l had any proposition to
make from Conn., Porter, to him? He obsery-
ed, also, that if Com. Porter, had any PROPOSE
ton to make to hm, it ought to be in writing
MIR. Kenuon did not seem at all convinced by
my arguments, rs to the propriety of acceding
to the proposition, had made to him. l re-
turned to Com. Porter, and repeated the sub
stance of the foregoing conversation, and when
posal, he said he had no objection at all to make
one; took peice Of paper, and he dictated to
me proposition, Which afterwards took to Mr.
Kennon; on handing it to Mr.. Kennon, re-
marked to him, that had a written propostion
to make to him on the part of Com. Porter he
took it TO the sideboard read it by candle light,
and merely remarked IN reply, l answer as did
before. l remained few minutes, and find
ing that Lieut.. Kennon did not seem disposed
fnt toll Il
me to the door, and observed TO him. he could
keep the paper, and reflect on it, don't recol-
lect any thing more on that subject; returned
to Com. Porter, and informed him had failed
lin efcctDg a settlement.
Question. What was the manner OF Cap
tain Porter, in the conversation you held with
him, was it not indicative of disposition to ex-
tend every liberal allowance to Lieut.. Kennon
and did he manifest the least disposition to ex-
act from Lieut.. kennon terms at all calculated
10 degrade him, even more tlssa Lieut.. Ken
non had expressed to you, verbally
Answer. ri manner was l thought, cx-
tremcly correct and LIBERAL he expressed him
self very sorry to detaiD Lient. Kennon from his
destination; he did not manifest the least dispo-
sition to exact terms calculated to degrade Lit.
kennon; he appeared TO me to be sincerely de-
sirous of cfFecting compromise, and he did not
exact more in writing, dram lseut. Kennon had
expressed to me, verbally.
Cross-erd0,ination ofjn,H,'. Ham5tsfon o.. Ire
part Of Gte accused.
Question by accused. In the conversation
had with you before you handed me Com. Por-
ter's written proposition, did you nottel me
you had no written autbqRshg.frof Com. Por-
ter to make any proposal swhatever?
Answer. When Lieutszs<eRnon asked me
whether he was TO understand me as. having a.
ny proposal from Confn&ii Portcr, told
him lie was not TO u,ldeafsficl.Tne as having any
proposal from Com. Porter; he was to under
stand what proposed as coming from myself
Question. Did you not. say that must con-
slider you as friend, voluntarily Offering your
services between two men for whom You felt
equal friendship Did l not say to you that
had been reluctantly drawn into quarrel, but
that, as Com. Porter had charged me with ma
lice, faisehood, and baseness, that my honor and
character required that my conduct should be
legally and strictly investigated, in order that
no doubt might romain hereafter of my guilt or
innocence For, I presumed, Capt. Porter
would not retract what he had alleged against
nc
Answer. That is the substance Of what you