Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-09-01
DOMESTIC.
From the N. Y. Evening" Post.
NAVAL. COURT MARTIAL.

~
TRIAL OF CAPTAIN GEORGE O. READ.-rCoscLuprpl
The accused then handed papers marked ard J
which were followed by reply from the prosecutor,
follows
paper ~
The accused proposes to prove by Captain Voorhees,
that Mdshipman Wilson sailed his first cruise with
witness, who requested by the family of Mr. Will
son to act as his guardian on board ship That upon
this cruise the conduct of Midshpman Wilson was hiob
ly refractory and nsubordna,e and that Captain Vor-
hees obliged in consequence frequently suspead
him: That before his cruise was ended Midshpman
Wilson transferred to the Constellation whilst the
Mediterranean under Captain Read: That Captain
Voorhees, refused Mr.. Wilson, parting with him. a
letter of recommendation to the Navy Department bat
told Mr.. Wilson that he must make character with
Captain Read before he would be entitled such ette
paper J.)
The accused conceves that the testimony he has pro-
posed to offer is in every respect legal and proper.
The enquiry in the present refers TO imputed
disrespectu and nsurbordnsie behaviour the part
Midshpman Wilson towards Captain Read.-NIr Will
has been examined witness to this Imputed dis
respect and denied it, and ro.
duced other ,oitnesSes deny Ii entirely competent
TO the accused-he would respectfully suggesto offer
testimony whose bearing and tendency to show
their statements and that from Mr.. Wilson's temper
and character, manifested other occasions the
Court might infer his misconduct in the with the
accused.
Captain Reads defence in some degree rests upon
provocation given by Mr.. Wilson, and especially upon
Mr. Wilson's defiance of his authority, and dsobedience
of his orders 1t but be of essential importance
that defence shew Mr. Wilson's habitual character
for ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS this character it is submitted
TO the Court may be proved by any witnesses who
any ,ohere ION ship board or on andl had oppor.aDes
to,know his temper and disposition.
The following protest then submitted by the pro-
secutor:
To Commodore Warrington, President, and the other
members of the Naval Court Martial, now assembled
for the trial of Captain George c. Read of the United
States Navy.
The prosecutor respectfully denies that any evidence
touching his general character conduct is legally adj
missabe this trial He has started that enquiry
and ia not for the accused TO begin it, Such proof il
inadmissabe, because applicable part of the de.
fence the hath been formerly made md because
of consequence the prosecutor being taken by surprise
has no opportunity TO procure rebutting testimony.
What the prosecutor said and ddhis actions and his
language at and about the time Of the acts COM
planned of by him may fairly be given in proof us.rat
ing as they do such act acts, and forming with
them continuous transaction they have been SO
given, and further the accused caDnotgo
The prosecutor having thus taken his legal
Is willing to waive 1T, and herebys offers the accused
will confne hmsefo the character and con-
duct while board the Constellation, under the com.
mand Of the accused The officers who sailed on that
cruise and witnessed bis within the reach Of
the prosecutor and tho Court.
If the accused disagrecs this offer and persists t
examining thus suddenly and without notice to the prose
cution part of his life, TO which the ne can
not call, and has had chance of procuring
then the prosecutor his exception asks of be
JOHN o. WILSON,
Midshpman United States Navy.
The Court closed and the question put "Shali the
proposed examination Of captain Voorhees, be permitted
which determined in the negative:
Which decision announced on the opening of the
Court The accused then said, that his testimony was
closed, and asked until Tuesday next at 10 o'clock
granted the time asked for, and then adjourned until to-
morrow at o O'Clock, A. NJ.
Saturday, June %, 1895.
Tho Court met according to adjournment; present all
the members the Judge Advocate the prosecutor and
the accused The evidence in the last days proceedings
read and then the urtadjourned until Mouday the
29thlnst., at o'clock, A. NJ.
Monday, 20h June, 1895
The court met pursuant to adlournrnent present all
members. judge Advocate nd
and the defence not being ready the Court adjourned
until Tomorrow at one o'clock, r. NJ.
Tuesday, 30h June 1885.
The Court met according TO adjournment; present all
the members, the Judge Advocate the prosecutor nd
che accused The defence being ready, read by
counsel for the accused as by paper H. The prosecutor
presented paper VI, which read in these words:
The Prosecutor has listened the defence lust made
by Captain Read and from it's scope and tenor taken i'm
connexon with the course pursued the tria by the
accused nc feels It his duty to ask time for reply To
any man his character is valasble the Pyosscvor n
IL his all. lie IT TO himself he owes IL To the nro
eson ne has embraced to stand forth and vndcste his
life and conduct from the aspersons with which has
been sought 10 them The actors in this present
scene may pass away but their doinge will snrvVc ton
The defence which has just been read will live for ever
enong the records Of his country and The Prosecutor
were devoid Of the common feelings Of humaaty and
lost 70 an officers just and honorable pride If he could
willingly permit the charges it contains to pass uncbol
ienged when ne had II IN bis power to meet and crush
them.
Should the Court however not aocede 10 THE reoo.s,
one known 10 the usages Of all judicial tribunals nd
Io ~ every PrInciPe OF justice the Prosecutor here
~ respectfully, but soemny, protests against such de-
NAL of right, and asks that this his prayer aud prot
be entered on the minutes Of the Court, there to meet
he eye, and ne firmly trusts the favourable Of that
power which only can redress his wrongs.
ESignedl JOHN q WILSON,
Mdshipman United States Navy
Aier the reading Of which paper, the Court was cear
% spd determined that leave TO the offence