Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-10-11
WEDNESDAY,, OCTOBER II, 1926.
From the National Journal. ]

There are frequent Instances 10 ihc' "''' 80
in which calumnies are circulated injurious 10
the characters Of individuals, so vague IN their
terms, or emanating from sources so polluted,
as TO eyade the answer which truth mlgn' iur-
nish. or TO be wholly undeserying of notice
When these accusations, however, assume
precise and definite shape, or when, having
made an impression on their minds, tney are
repeated and sanctioned by men whose general
conduct and character entitle them 10 regard,
the circumstance should be hailed with JOY,
since it furnishes proper occasion Tor reply
We have been led TO this reflection by an artl-
Gle in late number of the Augusta Chronicle,
in which, upon the authority OF the editor OF the
New York Champion, who is represented as an
eve witness of the circumstances he states as
facts, the Secretary Of the Navy is arralgned
and condemned for his treatment OF Commo-
dore Porter.
Among the most important OF these state
ments, is the assertion that "Commodore Por-
ter was requested, with the consent OF Mr. A
dams, by General La Fayette, 10 come 10 the
house Of the President, for the, express and a
vowed purpose Of conciliation." The Cham.
pion does not aver that he knew OF this fact, and
we speak advisedly when we say no such lnvl-
tation was given by Gen La Fayette, or sane
toned by the President. If, as is presumed. ne
alludes to the only personal interview that took
place between the President and Commodore
Porter, during the period OF Gen La Fayette's
visit 10 Washington, we unhesitatlrgly aver
that neither Of the Editors of that print were
present At that interview were present, the
President and Gen. Ia Fayette, Commodore
Porter, Mr.. Du Pont, and, it is believed, Lien
tenant Skinner, and no other person. 1t did
not occur in the Presidents House, and Mr.
Adams did not retire to the recess OF a window
General La Fayette did not burst into tears, or
use the language which is attributed TO him.
The facts are these, and the statement was
repeatedly and substantially made while Com.
Porter was in this country, without being con-
tradicted, as it is believed, by him in the minut-
est particular Mr. Du Pont, warm friend OF
Com Porter, had prevailed on Com. Porter. to
pay visit TO Gen. La Fayette, then residing at
The Presidents House On reaching the door,
the Presidents carriage was there, IN which he
and the General were about to ride. AS Mr..
Du Pont assembled the steps, the President and
General came out, Com Porter being in the rear.
was not al first seen, and the President advanced
& shook hands with Mr. Dupont. While thus en-
gagged the Com advanced, and the President,
leaving MIR Du Pont, passed the Commodore
without speaking to him, and proceeded to his
carriage, where he remained, until General La
Favette. perceiving he was waited for, left the
gentlemen on the steps, and proceeded TO the
carriage. which he entered, and ii drove off,
He very naturally inquired OF MIR. Adams the
cause of the marked conduct he had exhibited
to the Commodore, and was referred to let
ter from Commodore Porter, which had APP
peared in the National Inteigencer of that
mornings declining ALI invitation TO public
dinner, which hadbeen offered TO him by some
of the citizens of Washington. Ii the Editor
of,he Chronicle will refer to that letter, he will
fnd abundant reason why Mr.. Adams, either
IN his private character, the friend OF Mr.. Mon
roe. or i'm his official character as the President
Of the United States, should decline to reCog-
Mise in Commodore Porter an individual entl-
tied TO receive from him any marks OF courte-
sy or civility General La Fayette, upon peru
sing the article in question, declared that all
possibility Of bringing about reconciliation
between the Administration and Com. Porter,
had been removed by the latter himself; and in
this opinion, many of the warm personal friends
Of the Commodore expressed their concurrence,
al the time.
We have thus, on our responsibility, given
statement, varying in many essential particu-
lars. from that quoted by the Chronicle; but
there are some other passages IN that article
which has drawn forth these remarks, which
demand attention.
Ii is attempted to impugn the character OF
the Court "The officers were generally juniors
Of Commodore Porter in age and service, and
in fame They might be envious OF his fame
such things nave been, and they are not intalli-
ble-they at least pretended TO be offended with
Com Porter, because he did not, as they as
samed it, paw aproper Difference to the Court
THAT is 10 ihem--aias that he did nottawn upon
them like a supple Spaniel, and throw himself
upon their mercy. Whether it was just IN
them to refuse to hear his defence when IL was
rendered, has long since been determined by the
people," The Measurements and errors con-
tuned in the foregoing extract will, perhaps,
aslonish the Editor Of the Chronicle himself;
aud if the correction Of them will teach him
more cautious adherence to truth, and more
guarded selection of the premises from which
he reasons, one valuable result will How from
these comments. The fact is, that the officers
were generally juniors OF Commodore Porter
This letter was published in the National Intelligent
Ger on the Sd September, 1925.