American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1826-10-13

Ihcrc are frequent INSTANCES W NC NV ~
which calumnies are circulated injurious 10 inc
characters of individuals, vague III their terms'
or emanat,pg from sources polluted, as to eVaoe
The answer which truth might furnish, or 10 oe
wholly undeservng of notice. When those accu'
sations, however, assume precise anu oeh"ne
shape, or when, having made an impression o" '"e''
minds. they are repeated and sanctioned by men
whose general conduct and character emile them
to regard the circumstance should De haileo WIN
oy, since it furnishes proper occasion ior reply
We have been led to this reflection by an article IN
late number of the Augusta Chronicle in which
upon The authority of The editor OF the New fork
Champion, who is represented as an eye witness o.
the circumstances he states as facts the Secretary
of the Navy is arralgned and condemned ior MS
treatment OF Commodore Porter
Among the most important OF these statements,
il the assertion that Commodore Porter was re
Quested, with the consent OF MIR. Adams, by Oehe
raj Lafayette, come to the house OF the rIesueh.'
for the express and ayowed purpose OF cancellation.
The Champion does not aver that he Knew oi this
fact, and we speak advisedly when we say no such
invitation was given by Gen. Lafayette, or sanction
ed by the President. Il, as is presumed he alludes
to the only personal interview that took place DC
tween the President and Commodore Porter, during
the period of General Lafayete's visit 10 Washing
ton, we nhesitatiney aver that neither OF the Ed-
tors of that prn. were present AT that lnlefsie"
were present the President and General Lafayette,
Commodore Porter, Mr. Du pont, and, II is be-
lieyed Lieutenant Skinner, and no other person. Ii
| did not occur in the Presidents House, and Mr..
Adams did not retire to the recess of "a window.
General Lafayette did not burst into tears or use
the language which is attributed TO him.
| The facts are these, and the statement was ie
| peatedy and substantially made while Commodore
Porter was in this country withou, being contradlc.
ted, it i, believed by him in the minutest particu
lar. Mr.. Do Pont, warm friend OF Commodore
Porter had prevailed on Commodore Porter TO pay
a visit to General Lafayette, then residing at The
Presidents House. On reaching the door, the
Presidents carriage there in which he and the
| General were about to ride AS Mr.. Du Poai as
cended the steps, the President and General came
cut. Commodore Porter being in lhe rear, was moi
at Grsl seen and the President advanced and shook
! hands with MIR. Du Pont While thus engaged,
the Commodore advanced and the President leav
ing Mr.. Du Pont, passed the Commodore without
speaking TO him. and proceeded to his carriage where
he remained, until General Lafayette, percelvng he
was waited Tor, left the gentlemen on the steps, and
proceeded 10 the carriage, which he entered and II
drove off. He very naturally inquired OF MIR Ad.
ans the cause OF the marked conduct he had exhih
tied 10 the Commodore, and was referred 10 letter
| from Commodo c Porter, which had appeared IN
the National lntegencer OF that morning. dec
ming an invitation to public dinner, which had
been fercd to him by some Of the citizens OF Wash
ington. Ii the Editor o! the Chronicle will refer 10
that letter. he will find abundant reason why Mr..
Adams. either in his private character the friend oi
MIR Monroe, or in his Official character as the Pre-
sdent OF the United States, should decline to recog
mise in Commodore Porter an individual entitled to
receive from him any marks Of courtesy civiiity
General Lafayette upon perusing the article in ques
tion declared that all possibility OF bringing about
reconciliation between the Administration and Com
| lp,nd hal been oved hy ihel him
self and in Ibis opinion, many oil the warm person
al friends Of The Commodore expressed their con
| curreuce al the time. Nat. Journal.
This letter was published in the National Intelgencer
on the Sd VI September, 1925.