Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1826-09-16
GGgNIAIY oAYng.
SATURDAY EVENING. SEPTEMBER 49,
COMMODORE DAVID POnTER.


we were never among those who were prepared To
worship the victorious chieftsin Of the seas-und
had this paper been in existence, when this nauti-
cal iiotspur made his descent Porto Rico and
Eoxsrdo, we should have been among the first to de-
nsunce his proceedings those occasions: and
had not the Government Investigated his conduct in
relation to those extraordinary transactions, is diff
fcult to conjecture where the ex-oicial and unor-
thorized proceedings Of our naval chieitain would
nave ended.
Commodore Porter, for violating the power
delegated TO him by his country-for exercising IL
legal and violent meansfor violating the rights of
neutrals, and every principle of National Law, was
tried by a Court Martial, was properly suspended
from the service of his country for the space of six
months-when of right he ought to have been cash
iered-and for this he complains, and has sullenly
and ingloriously deserted his own country, to fight
under the flag of foreign nation.
Iii, has excited considerable curiosity, and
has called forth the champions Of the press OF
whsm, have vindidated his conduct, whilst others
have very properly denounced it as improper, ex-
traordnary and nwaTrantabe.
=
Champion paper published in New-York. and
Edited by Chaplain, who for gross improprieties
and neglect of duty, was compelled to quit the
Navy. This man, who at one time was the deter
mined enemy of Commodore Porter, has since his
suspension, suddenly turned round, and become his
friend, and is endeavouring to excite the sympathy
Of the public in favor of the Mexican Commander.
T.. .T.ls~ i.,x
following incident is related, the authority Of its
Editor the authority Of the Editor Of Coram's
Champion, only think of that We republish it
for the sake Of Offering word or two by way of
comment.
"He Commodore Porter wa. subjected TO con-
,umely at Washington he invited to the house
Of The President for the pretended purpose of
cancellation. The great and good Lafayette was
made the tool of Mr.. Adams for this base purpose
Commodore Porter was requested, with the consent
OF Mr.. Adams, by Gen. Lafayette, to come to the
house the President tor the express and avowed
purpose Of conciliation One of the Editors of the
Champion was present at the interview. How
Com Porter treated? With all the frankness of the
forgiving sailor, the Commodore advanced with his
hand extended to the President. With scorn and
indignant contumely, Mr.. Adams turned upon his
heel and retired to the recess of a window General
Lafayette burst into tears. The Commodore
shocked and sstonshed. lie looked to the General
for explanation. Com Porter said the General,
i am sorry very sorry did think TO have done one
more good act in this cOuntry-I am disappointed,
| am very sorry wrote you"
We are well acquainted with this transaction
and for the facts shall now state, we have au.
thority that can be reiel on-authority that i. by
no means questionable, and such as will not be de-
stroyed, by the unaccreded assertions ofthe cast off
Chaplain Of Coram's Champion.
1t is true that Gen. LA FAYEFTE, did interpo.e
his kindly Offices with the President of the United
States, to restore Captain PORTER to his rank and
standing in the Navy, to which Mr.. ADAMS re.
piled, that Commodore Porter had had fair
and impartial trial, and he did not know that it
would be well in him TO interfere with the decisions
ofthe Court Martial; but on further persuasion, he
assured the General, that if the conduct of Captain
Porter should subsequently, appear to be such as
would warrant his nterference, he hoped he should
be justified in committing the sentence of the
Court Martial. At the Levee to which the forego-
ing article alludes, Mr.. ADAMS had determined to
restore the offending captain, to his rank and emol-
uments, and that hour was selected as the most |
proper occasion. As PORTER entered the room,
Mr.. ADAMS and Gen. LA FAyETTE, were stand |
ing together, and wss kindly saluted by both. In
stead of paying any attention however 10 the court
estes of Mr.. ADAMS, Captain PORTER for a mo-
ment addressed himself to General LA FAYETTE,
and then returned to another part of the Hail. with
out Offering t. take the hand of the President which
was offered him. This Was sufficient to convince
Mr.. ADAMS that any kindness bestowed on Captain |
Porter, would be useless and he left him to pur-
the path of folly which his conduct had dictated
General LAFAYETTE, blushed for the c commodore, |
and expressed his sincere regret that he had at
tempted to conciliate the feelings Of man, who |
was completely insensible to the many obliga- |
tons he was under TO the Executive of the Union
As to the Generals weeping, it is all fetch and we
pronounce the assertion falsehood. This is the
plain statement of the fact, and whenever we find il
necessary to do so, shall lay proofs before the
public.
The information contained in Coram's Cham
pon, comes with an i'll grace before the American
people, and when they advised of the charac- !
ter and responsibility Of the who gave il pub
city, they will be but sadly prepared to give to it
the least credit and the editor who has had the au-
dacity to give currency to such papable fasehoods
ought to know that the naked assertions of nevs