Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-06-15


rI.eJoin his ship, was governed by what he
lleved to tic his wish, As expressed through
the whole course ofths proceedings, and by
what conceived proper, rs the result of a
full art,uiitat
As respects The furnishing Of cory Of the
proceedings about which you inquire, should
believe il better That mn copy be furnished 10
any one I; but it will not biz refused, should il
be requested by the parties viii, view To
such use of itas BECOMES their duty to the
service in which they are engaged,
fyou have YOURSELF wish To see the pro-
ceedings, or converse with me- On The subject,
VIII meet ysur wishes with pleasure.
am. very respectfully,
Y omr obedcnt servant,
SAMUEL l.. SOUTHARD.
Hon; sNDREw STEVENSON,
House Of Representatives.
. Washington, Artl o h, 1924
SIR: We beg leave again tn roubl. ynu,
upon the subject of Lieutenant K-nnon's trial.
Our object is To obtain from your Department
tuli transcript Of the proceedings of the
Court Martial, to be usrd by the friends Of
Mr.. kennOn, IN further vindication of his cha
racter and conduct.
Having in our late interview with you, sta.
'ed at large the reasons why, 10 our opinion,
these proceedings ought To be made public.
time, than To ask, that copy ofihe trial, sc.
may he furnished us, as soon as can be con-
venipptly done.
Very respectfully, Sir,
We are your obedipnt servants
AND. STEVENSON,
NJ. ALEXANDER, JUN.
SAMUEL L. souTIIARD, Esq.
Secretary oftbe Navy.
Navy Department, Arrl, rsh, 1924.
GENTLEMEN: have had the honor to re-
ceive your letter OF the 9th, requesting full
transcript Of the proceedings of the Cont
Martial, in the case Of Lieutenant K.nnou. TO
he used by his friends, in further ,indicaiion
OF his character and conduct, and haver,llrc,-
Ell on the reasons urged by yonin our late in
tervlew, why, in your opinion, these pro-
ceedings ought 10 br mad. pnbIir
Inc opinion heretofore expressed, and the
course pursued by me, have been governed by
u reference Ia the interest of the public, and
the duties of the department, without regard
tn the wishes of Cnmmodore Porter. or
lieutenant kennon, neither nf them having
personally or directly made application, either
Tor copy of the proceedings, or for publica-
iion by the Department. Soon after the trial,
"a friend OF Commo,inre Porter expressed Il
wish that they might he published, aud COW
forwarded To him, which declined. Your
Kennop, and appears 10 me 10 be of the same
kind, and to require, the same decision.
In my letter to Mr. Stevenson. dated oGih
March, gave the view which then took of
'his case. have reconsidered i; with the at
ten'ion demanded by respect for your re-
quest and opinions, and il still, seems ~ me
correct. nthe EXERCISE of my best discretion,
ana without any possible irItii, jtual or per-
sonal feeling, determined moi Ia publish the
proceedings, because it was contrary To tbc
custom of the Department because The
parties were both absent from the .conntry ;
and because believed it would result in injury
to the service. and those concerned. These
reasons remain unchanged, and cannot
therefore, consistently with my sense Of duty,
make the publication.
i also stated, in the letter referred to, that,
although | believed it better that no copy
should be furnished To any one. vet IL would
not he refused, should IT be requested, by the
parties, with view to such use of IL as be-
comes their duty To the service in which tiiey
are engaged. No such request has been made
BON lett the country without il, and so far as
am informed, without desiring their friends
To obtain IT. Lieutenant Kennon was in Mr.
| folk, several days after the sentence of The
court and the opinion of the Department was
communicated TO him, and he expressed no
dissatisfaction. and made no representation of
any kind on the subject. Under these facts,
think l'Improper to yield copy TO the friends
of either of the parties, TO be used in their alb
sence, and for which they can, 10 no way, be
| made answerable.
II IS unpleasant TO me to deny what you re
| quest but, it is impossible TO draw t,is,inc-
ton between yourselves and other citizens
unconnecfed with the parties, or to yield
copies of official papers, especially of this
description: without sirdng reasons for so do.
ing. But, although satisfied iha; my deter.
mlnatIon c"tnports with The public interest, vet.
IL err, and any evils are likely to result from
the course pursue, il is pleasant 10 me to
know that you have. in your official stations.
ready and convenreBhineans 70 relieve both
| individuals and the public from them relief
as gratifying to me, as it can be- to Yourselves.
am, very respectfully,
Your obpdirist servant.
SAMUEL T.. SOUTHARD.
| Hon ANDREW STEVENSON. and
| MAitk ALEXANDER,
House Oiiepresentatives.
| rs Washington. April 20, 1924.
DEAR Sin We beg leave 10 inqure whe-
Y