Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-07-15
From the National Journal
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COURT-MARTIAI,
ON COMMODORE PORTER.


Richard s. Coke, Esq. Judge Advocate
Naptain Porter, on being asked if he had any obiec
ohs 10 make against any of the members ofihe Court
submitted paper which contained sundry obec,ions
TO the Judge Advocate. Not bavinr had ,ccese ~
inns paper, we cannot give copy of il: but we nm
dersand that his objections appeared to he founded
vi 'iie o''glha appointment of the Judge Advocate
whch ne commended 10 be egial, and on the ossump
Ion mat Mr. Coke is still further dsoali6ed in CON
sequence OF ms having expressed an opinion on the sinh
je'' ne Cour was cleared, and being re-open-
GU ana 'ne proceedings made known, it appeared tat
motion was made to refer the question to the Atorne,
General; but this motion was nepatved Ano,ber
question was then propounded By one Of the members
as 10 hc existence of any privilege by which the party
accused could challenge the Judge Advocate At the
request OF the Court understand Mr. Core gave his
OPINION that the appointment of the Judge Advocate
oehg vested IN The same power which appointed the
Court ITSELF neither had the party accused any rqht m
make exception TO the appointment, had the Court
itself any right TO decide such exception which cou
not De sustained either by reason precedent. The
Sour ihereupon decided against the power of the ac
cused TO challenge the Judge Advocate
After the usual oaths had been administered tho
Charges aud Specifications read by the Judge Adj
vocate.
The first Charge is Disobcdience of Orders and con-
uuc uihecomlng an OHicer and the Specification allie
eges that Captain Porter in violating the territory of
Ills Catholic Maesty, tue King of Spain by landing
troops IN a hostile manner, and by committing divers
acts oil hostility there. acted in contravention of the
Constitution of the United States and of the Laws
Iot Nations, as well in opposition TO his ngtruc-
tons,
The second Charge is--Insubordinate Conduct. and
co'uct unbecomIng officer; and the various Spec-
uca'ions embraced in this Charge alege that he has
written and sent letters of disespccruI character io
The PRESIDENT of the United States and 10 the Secretary
oil The Navy, by which he has violated the resnect Ju
from officers to the Head of the Department and has
dcranged the discipline of the Navy: that he has nub
s"eu pamphlet OF tie proceedings, bcf lie such pub
lc"tion authorized by the EXcCntiy; has Giyen to
me world partial and Incorrect statements The pro-
ceedIngs and has also published official communica
uonS 10 The government and correspondence Of OIL
cia character, and orders and instructions which he has
received from the Department.
when these charges and their specica tons had been
read and Captain Porter required to plead Gull
y or mot Guilty" he asked leave to POSTPONE his
pleading until TO morrownornng, and to have the pTi
ylege allowed him of being heard BY counsel TO have
clerk TO take minutes of the evidence and Also to have
copy of the Charges and Specifications furnished by
the Judge Advocate The Court acceded to these re-
quests and Captain Porter having named Walter Jones'
Esq for his counsel the Court adjourned till O'clock
tOmorr morning.
Second day.-Frdoy .J,ly 8.
After some preliminary business had been gone
through the Court adjourned TO meet at the Marine
Barracks and, shortly afterwards, recommended its
proceedings, when Alexander J. Dallas, Master Com
InandaDt in the Navy of the United States was called
up, and examined.
The evidence given by Capt. Dallas was very SINH
lar TO that given before the Court of Inquiry He com
manded the John Adams, bearing the Colnmodore's
pendants and arrived at the island of ST Thomas some
/ November )n oF
her arrival Mr.. Cabot, American gentleman resie
ding at ST Thomas and reputed be the Commercial
Agent of the United States for that island came on
board accompanying Lieut. Platt The object of their
visit to report TO the Commodore that lent Plat
had, during visit to Foxardo been very harshIv treat
cd. In consequence of this information the Commo-
foTe determined to pay visit TO the place in order 70
compel the authorizes who had thus msbelayed TO NAL
sore aonemeDt. Capt Dallas was accordingly direct
ed the next day; to get the John Adams under weigh,
and, in company with the Grarnpus and the Beagle TO
get into Foxardo. Owing, however cher great draueht
OF water the John Adams could not approach the beach
very near, but was obliged TO to anchor under
of the Passage Islands, where the Commodore or
dered considerable detachment OF boats and for
the expedition IL was not however until the next NOR
nng after her arrival at her anchorage that her prepar
ton were far completed send Off the detacments
The boats taken in by the Grampus, and got
into FOxardo harbour about O'clock, A. Nj
The boats were Immediately prepared for landings and,
soon afterwards, battery being observed e;ni-
RI neice, at which number of men appeared whose de-
signs Of doubtful character, of the boats
was ordered by the Commodore to proceed tlther,
and to dslodgc the men, and spike the guns. The
men then landed the beach, and formed into
line, and Lieut.. CTabbc with detachment Of marines
was directed to advance towards FOXardo and take up
position the village. Lieut.. StrbIiDg sent
by the Commodore, with flag Of truce and letter e
the Alcalde who was the chefmagisrae ofthe village
Soon after his departure the troops marched ards hc
town, leading Lieut.. Barton with guard of Marine
to protect the boats When within about twenty or for
~ yards ofthe station which taken By Leutenan
Crabbe's DIVISION the other troops 70 halt, T.
wait the result of Lieut.. Svibng's message. The Dat
terry of two guns spiked during this march Be
fore the troops had waited long Lieut.. StribIng wa
returning from the village, with the Alcaldc ant
the Captain Of the Port when they came up, CONVEX
saOn took place, by Of interpreter between
The Commodore aud these persons. The issue Of thi
conversation the making Of an apology for the in
suit offered TO Lieut. Plstt, to the lieut.. himseE an
the officers, being all asked If they satisfied, b
r the Commodore, replied IN the affirmative. The Com
modore! then invited by the Alcade TO visit tn
u town. The Commodore merely accepted this invita-
ton far to make an advance, until he had passe
the body Of armed men which had been collected aftc
which he returned, with the men, and ordered all