American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1826-01-03
COMMODORE poRrER's LETTER.

The folio ing copy oftlc Letter Of Commodore Pom
TER to the Senate noticed in the Proceedings Ct that
body Oh the 9Th ult
10 the Vice Pres,aen. II the United Sta.es,
and President Of The Senate:
SIN During the last session Of Congress, several com
muricaons from Thomas Randall and John Mountain
highly injurious TO the character Of IN, self and other Off
Gers of the West India squadron transmitted BY the
then Secretary t State the Senate, and gave rise 10
debate, wherein many reflections made on the
conduct Of navy officers in general but particularly
on that OF the officers employed for the Suppression Il
piracy In quence these communications and the
remarks they gave rise To- Immediately my arrival in the
United States, applied for nves ga,on Of the conduct
OF myself and others, implicated by them. The cone
qnence was IN investigation OF The whole Of the proceed
gs Of the West India squadron from the time of my ia
klng command, up 10 the time Of my recall All of which
has been PRINTED BY otder Of the President, anil was ash
an informed, short tune sce. in the Office Of the honc
rabe Secretary OF the Navy, ready 10 be distributed when
ever Congress shall have male call for the same
70 consequence Of which, some time since requested
the Hon. Mr. Lloyd 70 Offer resolution, calling on The
Navy Department fer tie procec lmgs in the case 10 be
iad hiore the senate winch he did the favor com
Ply WITH and call was accordingly made but he has
since informed me that he does not contemplate taking
any further steps ~ tho Affair." take the liberty Of briefly
STATING TO You my obtc in wishing the call for the pro-
cesdi S., w,lc1 beg you 70 communicate to the Senate
inr lis consideration.
The documents communicated by the State Department
t1e her with the remarks which they gave rise TO- have
been pread before Tie public, and many minds have
le an impression highly injurious the character Of The
Navy general and this impression has been strengthen
ed by the repetition OF the charges the public prints BY
sir Randall, since the proceedings in the case were had
with the additional assertion that had shrunk from The
lhqnliy and deprived the Court Of the opportunity d
bringing out all the facts the case by which MS charge
would have been sustained and my guilt would have been
manifest is, therefore due M self is due 10 every
oicer Under my command, it is due the whole Navy
au indeed the whole nation, that the result of this iua
~ sionld he ad before the Senate, that erroneous pes
SONS injurious to our Characters may thereby be
ON the minds OF these who, by the statements Of Randall
and Mountain have been led to entertain them and bs
those who entertained different opinions and were induced
to lnerpose themselves between us and the injury which
It believed was intended by accusers may be assured
that their confidence has not been placed on objects I'M
worthy Of engaging it
beg sir that this subject may be brought 10 the con.
sderaton ct the Senate early pciiod as nosshl ii
order that it may determine, whether sufficient rror Ia,
been observed IN he inquiry that if has not other nc
ceedngs may be asked for and they prove satisfactory
as ieei confidence they will, chat opinion may be
expressed to that effect thereby relieving us fiom the
charges anu censures that remain the files and stand
on record against rs, to the JUDGE Of our own carac
r ana me character and consequently of the Interests
OF the corps to which belong
This request is made with feelings Of the hrbcst RES
pect Tor the Members OF tic Senate individually and COZ
ectively and hope sincerely that there NAV be found
hohng wrong or unreasonable in my dcs to obtain thai
appreciation which myself and Others have sought with
lnch assdny, during tile time were employed in The
suppression OF piracya service holding forth no reward
TOT us faithful peitornanceno hope cheer us through
AL our prvations and uiferngs, but the appreciation
our country
have the honor to be, with the highest respect YOU.
very obedient servant, d. PoRTEf
Pashngtoa, Dec 25th, 1925,