Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-09-06

appealed for justice, when believe il was WITH |
held from by those To whom thought ind a
right TO complain and appeal for, TO have remained
silent under grave accusations, TO have yielded
without an effort to project my honor would have
been as foreign to what owed TO myself wvad
have been repnsnant TO my feelings; to have per-
mtted the cloud OF censure TO han. over me; TO
have permitted my conduct to be passed 0rcr by
my accuser, and forgiven after degradation, when
believed myself innocent, was what, according TO
my ideas, no mortal, having one spark OF honor or
pride in his composition, any sefrespect could,
or should submit to. Nothing, indeed short OF my
innocence proved. or OF my conviction of guilt,
could satisfy, or ought to have satisfied wished
for justice, and asked nothing more asked no
iavors-no indulgence. was willing TO NEE, the
accusation boldly; shrunk from no i,'ve-s .,ion OF
my official life, however rigid, and | have shown
no disposition 10 avoid The penalty, found guilty.
Justice has at length. (and no doubt conscien-
| tiousiy,) been awarded to me by NV peers, and n,
the price oil six monhs' suspension, for the expia-
ton oi my guilt, with an honorable acquittai OF
| every moral offence. l have now the proud
satisfaction Of knowing that my whole conduct
| In the transaction which occasoned my recall,
as well my official conduct during aud sub
sequent TO my command, will be laid before my
fellow ciizens--an advantage TO obtain which, life
Itself would have been considered tritiing sacrifice
| Tor Death would have been preferable 10 a sillied
reputation; and it will he as much my pride now to
show an example of subordina'on and patience
der my punishment, as 1t ever was my desire 20 do
my duty myself, under what belle. ed unjust
cusaiions, or to my country, whenever ny services
might prove useful TO her.
| No man Is free from human frsiies and have
my iuIl share but among them Is not TO he rank
| ed v;ndctive resentment, a disposition 10 crush
| TIE already oppressed. Attacks coatnue 10 be
= made on me through prints under official patronage,
but experience las convinced me, that it were sa-
fer at least to bear the evil than complain. The
Court has awarded the punishment for my offence,
and am hound to abide by It's decision if hers,
10y their complaints wish to induce the belief that il
Is rot sufficiently severe, feel tina. their conduct
requires justification apology, be theirs the labour
oil JusufyinS it envy them not the task, or the
honor they will acquire by the performance.
By submitting, patiently and prudeuuy, to m
punishment, the idea is entertained tia, feel
myself less worthy now than before my sentence
tar from 1t. My conduct In the affair OF Foxardo
has been said to have originated i'll % an anxiops
disposition 20 maintain the honor and adv vance the
interests OF the nation, and OF the service,' Tor
which II Is impossible that could be punished.
My publication, II has been said, proceeded, from
no unworthy motive, and is, of course, undeservng
OF punishment dlsclainl, and have ever dis
claimed, any '' disrespect'' 10 any one !; anu
adopting the rule which has been resorted On the
part OF the accusation, should be the hes, Judge o.
have been, and 10 doubt were, sufficient exone-
rate me from this charge Then, ''wheren have
offended Z" and Tor what am punished /! L.
itior appealing 10 my fellow citizens
lon have follow ed, only, the example oi
those exalted far aboveme. In the public decision,
have sought for solace for tkat justice which |
believed withheld from me. l felt myself
goaded almost to desperation under supposed
wrongs, and / sought 10 save my honor at every
risk. have saved it, and ain content whatev e.
evil may befal me.
Viewing the subject in all its bearings, and hay
ing in view Interior consequences, | think could
not consistently and safely become par,icipator,
and join in any iesiivity that might, by the mos
OF opinion, opposed the course of The prosecution
| or the sentence OF me Court.
/ AS an expression of the appreciation of my fell
low citizens, shall highly appreciate youI
| invitation and the more so, as coming from 2
community with which have been associated for
The last ten years. and which, wherever my destiny
may lead me, will ever be held in my foHdest re-
collection and interest.
| Excuse gentlemen, the length of this reply
which became necessary TO enable ME TO explain
iuiiy my reasons Tor declining the honor intended
I me toguard me on the one hand against any opin-
ion of self condemnation which should render me
In my own estimation un,r orthy and on The 9TH
er, TO avoid any charge of unnecessary fastdious.
ness
have the honor to be, gentlemen, your very O.
| bedent servant d. PORTER
GEN. STUART, Col. ASHTON, Mr. GRAEFF
Commodore Porter, it is stated, has been allow
eel full pay and raions, with leave of absence du-
ring the six months suspension TO which he stands
sentenced. Phil Paper.