Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-06-25

'hat the accused then offered the foljow;nu
protest. which was, at his request, spread up,
on the record 4: 'P''"" ei'
"ihe accused begs leave to state to the
Court, most distinctly, that he solemn,v pro-
tests against the evidence of this witness br-
my received and recorded. 1t i, far from
The wish OF the accused to object TO any cyi.
dence which the Court may deem legal: bu:
he witness is colored man, and therefore,
In the opinion of the accused, is not n COM
pefent witness even before this tribunal.
q. NJ. HOOE,
Lieutenant u. S. Navy.''
Whereupon the witness proceeded to de-
iiver his evidence before the Court upon
the conclusion of which, the accused offered
the following paper in writing, which, at his
request, was also spread upon the record:
he accused having protested agains, the
eV'oehce oil ihis witness, on the ground that
he conceivcs his testimony to be aitopether il
legal that he knows it would be SO consid.
cred before the civil tribunals of this Terrific
ry, the foSms and customs of which. he hum
o'y thinks, should be as closely followed by
a martial court as possible, therefore asks to
spread upon the record the fact that he can
not consent to, and has totally declined cross
examining this witness.
GEORGE MANN HOOE,
Lieut.. u. S. Navy
That, on the same day, to wit, the 3Oth
day Of May, Daniel Waters, negro cook.
and private servant Of the said original prose-
cutor, UriahP Levy, was called, sworn and ex-
ahmed before the Court; whererpon the ac-
cused presented the following paper in wri-
ting, which, at his request, was spread upon
the record, to wit:
"Ihe Court having decided to receive and
record no fpct, e
accused, in regard to this witness, can only
reiterate his objections as set forth in the
case of Mitchell, the Captains steward
The accused will pursue the same course
with this witness that he decided to take
with the other colored man.
GEORGE MANN HOOE,
Lieut.. u. $. Navy.
That the trial progressed until Wednes-
day, the 9th day of June, when the Court ell
tered up its Judgment of which the following
is the conclusion:
And the Court therefore hath and doth sem
tence the said Lieut.. George NJ. Hooe to be
dismissed from the West India squadron, af-
ter having been reprimanded in General Or
ders by the honorable the Secretary of the
Navy"
Which said proceedings are endorsed,
Approved, J. X. PAULDING.
That on the return of the President of the
United States to the seat of Government, the
said Lieut.. George Nj. Hooe addressed a re-
monstrance TO his EXcellency, the President.
complaining of the irregularities of the Court,
generally, which remonstrance concludes
with the following statement:
"Ihere is one other point in the proceed
ings 81 the Court touching their legality to
which L invite the particular attention of
your EXcellency. 1t respects matter to
winch al Southern men are deeply sensitive
and, II not overruled by your Excelency.
VIII assuredly drive many valuable men
IRON the Navy. In the progress of the pro-
ceedings OF this court, two negroes, one the
cook, and the other the private steward of
Commander Levy, Were introduced as witness
ses against me. protested against their legal
competency to be witn' sses in the Territory
OF FLORIDA, on the ground that they were ne
groes. The Court disregarded my excep-
non, and the record shows, they were allowed
to be examined and to testify on my trial.
This chargeas proceeding illegal and er-
roneous on the part of the Court, and. if SO.
according TO established law and precedent
must vitiate and set aside their whole pro-
ceedIngs. All which is most respectfully
submitted to your consideration and final de-
clslon, by ''4our obedient servant,
GEO. MANN HOOE,
''Lieut. u. S. Navy
That after an examination Of the record,
the President returned the same to the Navy
Department with the following endorsement:
'ihe President finds nothing in the pro-
ceedings in the case of Lieut.. Hooe which
requires his interference. Nj. V. b.
And whereas the introduction of negroes
and private servants of the prosecutor as wit
nesses to testify against the characters of gen.
tlemen of the Navy, in the service of their
country, is practice, though sanctioned by
the President of the United States, that will
not he justified, and ought not to be tolerated
by Southern men, or ''Northern men aciM
Soufhern principles" and ifnot corrected must
operate as serious injury to the Navy, to the
humiliation of its officers, and TO the infinite
discredit of the Government
Resolved, therefore, That the Secretary of
the Navy be required to communicate to IL is
House copy of the proceedings of the court
martial held for the trial of Lieutenant Geo.
M. Hooe, that his wrongs may be promptly
redressed, and the evils complained Of cor
rected without delay.
MIR. Dromgoole inquired what measure of
redress his colleague proposed by the intro
duction of this resolution!
Mr.. Stanly called Mr.. Dromgoole to order.
making some remarks which from the confu
sion which Immediately arose were inaudible
to the Reporter.
The Chair said the resolution could be re-
celved only by general consent.
Mr.. +. Thomas of Maryland objected.
MIR. Bolts thereupon moved to suspend the
roles, and demanded the yeas and nays
which were ordered, and being taken, result
ed as follows:
YEns-Messrs. Adams, Afford John w.
Allen. RANKS Ral1er RnrnnxL DILL.