Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-08-26
CAPT. CHARLES STEWART

Inns Naval Othcer Is now ON his trial before the
ourt Martial at Washington, under charges and
~ specifications, which have been published a,
length. We have not room for them in detail:
s,ript of the formaliies in which they have been
preferred, they in substance as follow:
CHARGE l. Un0dicer-iike Conduct-In these
particulars that in 1922 he aided two American
one English and one French vessel and others in
carrying an illicit and contraband trade with
tain ports in Peru, by protecting them with the
naval force OF the u. States in landing contraband
articles, with view to his private emolument:
and preventing Peruvian Brig of War from en-
forcing the Laws OF Peru, against one of the above
American ships, (the Canton). In Transporting or
causing TO be transported, one +. Smith in the
Schooner Dolphin with merchandise for sale, ex-
posing the same for sale board the Schooner.
and carrying them from the vessel into certain ports
for sale though contraband, TO the disgrace of the
" States Navy. In employing the Peruvian and
Waterwitch belonging to the Navy, in the trans
portation of merchandise on private account In re-
ceiving on board the public vessels struggled ar
tcies from the Peruvian shore, contrary to the
laws of that government, and without the know
ledge permission Of the Revenue Officers: and
this IN the night, s. the of the boats attach
ed 10 the vessels under his command-In protecting
sugglers against the laws OF Peru In neglecting 10
protect the vessels engaged in lawful commerce.
and protecting the Canton and others engaged in
an illegal trade and in which he and Smith were in
'eicSlcu' III purchasing iTOH canton, canvass,
wine, copper and other naval stores, ostensibly for
the Franklin then under his command, and which
was not IN need OF such supplies, and did not use
them. In employing the public carpenters, sc. in
the Canton SC. without their the u. S. receiving
any compensation for it. In employing the naval
forces OF the u s. in subscribing the views of the
said Smith for nearly year; and in employing him
to carry dispatches board the public vessels that
he might attend to his private concerns. In per-
hitting Capt O'Sullivan and the Supercargo of the
Canton to remain board his ship for long time
| for the purpose of aiding them in private traffic,
&c. In Transporting horses from Valparaiso Quilca
tor the Royal Gen. Canterac, thus furnishing aid
10 one party in violation of the duty of a neutral
officer. In using the public men and means in bull
ding and epuipping private vessels. In permitting
1t. Weaver to absent himself for a long time from
his duty, and IN approving the nIuster-ro of his
ship which represented him as present on duty
In directing permitting the Purser OF his ship 10
| send TO the Navy Department muster-rolls which
| Capt. S. knew TO be false in several respects In
permitting his Purser to sell shore large quantities
of clothing, which when wanted could not be pro-
cured by the officers. In putting board the Can
ton large quantities of military stores, and entering
them consumed in his ship in the service. In re-
| ceiving money for public materials and not ac--
| counting to the government for it.
CHARGE THE 2ND. Liso6edience of ORDERS
In permitting the conraband trade TO be carried on
perty engaged in it, and in violation of his orders
protecting within the limits of Peru Spies and Others
| from the Royal Army.
CHARGE 3RD. Neglect of duty In permitting
the absence of 1t Weaver for nearly three years
from his duty Ia neglecing to notice the serious
charges preferred by Lit Sawyer against 1t. d.
Conner, the injury of the service. In neglecting
| the discipline of his men, SC.
CHARGE 4rH. Oppression and cruelty.--In
conining 1t. Sands in an unusual and unnecessary
manner from Oct '23 TO April "a, without taking
any steps for his tral;to the injury of his health &c
| NetD .Ne,O-Schooi doctrines.-The
writer, in the National Journal, under the sigma
ture of g Philo Lycurgus the Younger has adj
vanced doctrines in relation to the powers of the
federal government over slavery in the u. States,
that never can be sanctioned by the people of
! large portion of the Union. An examination of
them would be worse than idle. The discussion Oh
the Missouri Question g exhausted the argdmentI'
on this painful subject. Why do we see il so Of
ten renewed in the public prints? The old sdage
that " charity begins at home," may be applied TO
these fana;ica writers with great propriety. Let
them seek home legitimate objects of be-
nevolence, and beware how they NEEDLE with their
neighbours. An interference by the government
| on this subject, in any form whatever never tciH
be submitted to, matter what may he the con-
sequences. If, as the New York American said
= the NOrtnern pOHcy nds gained TIE ascendant,
this il question upon which the South never will
{" be content to obey," whatever they may do upon
others. Indications enough have been given ofthe
ruth Of this remark.
The broad ground taken by this writer that Con-
gress has power to do any thing they may believe
to be =" for the general welfare" if unconnected
with the subject he mentions, would be still liable
to the strongest objection. Let that proposition be
but established, even by the mode OF usurpaton
and precedent, and the federal government becomes
at once absolute. The constitution Wilt effect
contain nothing but. this delegation Of unlimited