American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-08-05
NAVAL COURT MARTIAL.
WASHINGTON, AUGUST |.

lIgenty employed, was not yet prepared 10 deliver
in the defence--the Commodore hoped tina, he
would be in readiness tomorrow, but entertained
strong doubts of his being prepared before Wed.
nesday.
| The Judge Advocate then laid before The Cour,
certain papers which he said had bearing on thoss
presented by the accused on Saturday; and Corn.
menced the reading Of them. The first was let.
ter from Comm. P. to the Secretary Of the Nav.
dated 18th October, 1924, in which he apprised the
Department of the appearance OF malignant fever
at Thompson's Island, and states the arrangements
which had been made for the accommodation of The
sick, and the preservation of the heal. of the SQUAD
ron. He intlma,es an opinion, that, from the late
Of the season. the fever would be but of Short
duration, and expresses his satisfaction with the
supply of medicines and other means provided bv
the Department Tor such an emergency.
| The second paper was letter from Comm P. IN
the Secretary of the Navy, dated 18th October, in
reply TO one from the Department, in which he had
been ordered TO repair to his station at IhomDson,s
Island in the John Adams. This is the letter tn
which reference is made in the deposition of Mr..
Monroe, and which is there termed every excep.
tionable " but is not OF those referred TO in The
second charge and contained in the specifications
under that charge, as OF an !" insubordinaen char
acter.
The letter commences with an Acknowledgement
OF the receipt OF the Secretarys order dir eclinp
expresses
opinion that the broad pendant Of Commodore ia
exposed TO insult when hoised on board Of ,oon
OF warthat the dignity OF the service requires the
presence OF tfigate tor thatpurpoe, refers to for
mer expression OF the same sentiment, and express
sed an unwlingness 10 be insrume ntal in exposnp
the flag to insult He speaks orhe service on which
he had been recently employed, as expensive, labo.
rious, responsible, and dangerous to health. He
observes an inconsistency between the language Of
he rrfe and Of hio
mer, Thompson's Island is referred to as his sta.
ton;' but in the latter it is stated to extend from
the coast OF Africa to the Gulph of Mexico-and
expresses bis understanding to be that he was Of
=" his station,'' while engaged within those limits in
prosecuting the objects of his appointment He
demonstrates against any ST. posed necessity Of his
presence at Thompsons Island, as the force then in
the West India seas was fully sufficient to annihi-
late piracy j. the officers did their duty; and they
neglected it. he pledges himself to take care tha,
they shall be brought to punishment, He com
plains that the generous confidence at first extended
to him seemed lately 10 have been Withdrawn; that
inquiries and demands OF explanation, by the De.
partment are handed to him almost daily. He
presents it as hard to expect thai he should confDe
himself to spot which had proved fatal 10 so MANY
and had twice nearly brought himself TO the grave:
he declares himself unable to lead in person every
expedition that may be fitted out IRON il he com
plains that, though repeatedly applied for, no def
mite Instructions are given him, as TO his depormen,
towards the citizens OF South America, of whose
uePreoauons ON our commerce complaints are con-
lnually made to him that he is exposed TO
heavy responsibility which does not belong TO him
or to his profession, and he sums up the whole BY
asking permission to resign his PRESENT command
not however from any disncllnaon to active ser.
vice. nut because he wished 10 be engaged in some
service less nglorious less dangerous 10 health, and
one respecting which he may more fully compre.
menu the views and feelings OF the Department, and
they shall repose more confidence in his.
The reading of this letter being finished, and the
Judge Advocate being about to proceed to the other
papers he had presented, Commodore p. rose and
requested to know the object in view in presenting
.hese papers whether they had any bearing
Inc charge already preferred. or were intended as
the ground OF a new charge: lie protested himself
ready 10 meet any accusation which the Department,
might thi"k mt to advance. either now or hereafter;
Out ne wished distinctly TO understand what il was,
that he might be prepared TO NEE, it.
Inc Judge Advocate replied that The introduc.
uo' OF 'hese papers was rendered necessary and pro-
ny those which the accused had himself laid be-
lore the Court at its last meeting. Fhe accused
continuing to object, the Court was cleared for de-
hoeraHop and when The doors were opened il was
announced as the decision of the Court that the pa
Pers might De read but, In order to give opportuni
y ior Inc counsel OF the accused to attend and OBJ
lect or reply to their contents, the reading should
oe oeerred M tomorrow morning at 10 O'Clock 10
"hich hour the Court then adjourned.
Nat. Intel.
AVG - The Court met at 10 o'clock-when
me counsel OF Commodore PORTER stated in writ
ing the objections Of the accused to the admission
OF me papers yesterday presented, and in part read
oy The Judge Advocate, consisting, so far as read
OF OF certain letters OF the Commodore to the Navy
department, complaining of the refusal of friga.e
&C. &c, and asking leave to resign.) The ground of
onec'on was the irrclevancy of these papers to the