Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1825-10-01

ty of yiniicating himself before the
world. To afford this opportunity, and
to preserve from the insidious effects oil
unmerited reproach, reputation dear
to the nauon-won by the honorable ser
vice OF seven and-lwenty years; 10 ex-
tinguish prejudlces and suspicious crea-
ted by MISREPRESENTATION, or mlsconcep-
tons OF public agents and private indi-
vidusls, and finally, TO do all which the
laws, which justice and which honor ex-
act, this Courl has been convened.
Charges and Spec fl atoms have been
preferred, embracing all the accusations
made against Captain Stewart; an IN
ves.igstion has been made into Their
truth; it has been conducted by The
Judge Advocate in The most exemplary
manner, yet with mlnuleness and iuii-
ness calculated to leave no doubt OF
cloud Of suspicion resting upon Tue cha
racter of the accused, This inves'isa'
ion has produced what was desired by
Captain Stewart, aud intended by the
Executive, Development OF all the In
poflant transactions attending the large
cruise of the Frank in in the Pacific, and
the principles and motives which guided
the conduct Of the Commander. Ihese
Charges and Specifications, the Court
has sdjudged moi to be proved; 10 be, IN
some respects, utterly gronndless; and
in others to have originated in miscon-
ception or misrepresentation OF The most
innocent and merltorlous acts; and Cap
tain Stewart has been most fully and
most honorably acquitted OF every, even
the slightest Improperly.
The Court, however, conceives that
the peculiar character of the accusation
Is such taat it would not render that iull
measure OF justice which is required al
IFS hands by simple Judgment OF ac-
quitta. Ii is, therefore, ilnpelled by a
sense of du,y to go farther, and 10 make,
unhesltalingly, this declaration to the
world, thai, so Tar from having violated
the bish dnlies Of neutrality and respect
forlhe laws OF nations; so far from hay-
Ing sacrificed the honor OF the Amer q an
lag, or furnished his own lair lame by
acting upon any motives OF merceDarJ
or sordid kind so far from having ne
elected his duly, or betrayed the trust re-
posed 10 him, by refusing proper protec'
non to American citizens and property,
| Or rendering such protection suoseryien'
| to individual interests, no one circum.
stance. has been developed, Throughout
| me whole course Of this minute lnVesti-
| eaton Dto the various occurrences OF &
| three years cruize, calculated 10 impair
the confidence which the members lot
Court, the Navy, and The nation, have
long reposed in the honor, the talents
and the patriotism OF this distinguished
officer, or to weaken, in any manner, the
opinion which all who knew him ente.
tained Of his humanity and disinieresled.
ness.
These virtues only glow with brighe,
lustre from this ordeal of trial, like the
stars he1triun phan,ly displayed wher
valor and skill achieved new victory &c
adorn the annals of our naval glory.
JAMES BARRON. President.
WIILIAM M CRANE,
RoBERT TRAIL SPENCE,
]. d. HENLEY,
]. D. ELLIoTT,
! S. CAssIN,
JAMES RENsHAw,
THOMAS Brown,
CHARLES e. B THOMPSON,
ALBx. S. WADswoRTH,
GEO. w. RopGEns,
GEO. C. READ,
RIcHARu S. Coke. Judge advocate
The proceedings and sentence OF the
Court are approved; with the exception
! of the exclusion Of Samuel Brown, as ali
,1eom pe,ent witness: The grounds oil
objection 10 his testimony apparent on
the face Of the Record being considered
as going to his credibiliy, and not TO his
| competency.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
II Z,