The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-08-15
Naval General Court Martial on board tho
u. $. Ship North Carolina.

Trial OF LIEUT.. r. +. PINKNEy-CoNrINuEo.
The Court met pursuant adjournment and the Judge
Advocate proceeded read the minutes of the hole pro
Lieut. PNKNEY then requested that Lieut.. Wilkes might
be called upon to verify two letters hch he desired put
in evidence, being OF those received by him
Lieut. Wilkes, and which drew from HIM The replies
which are alleged by Lient. W. to contain contempuous
and disresPeoul language This was accordingly DONE
LIEUT.. PISRNEy was then called upon for his defence.
which was read by DR.. Palmer and commenced by stating
that the accused had joined the expedition with glowing
hopes of promotion, and with full confidence ia the pro
misses OF Lieut.. Wilkes with whom he previously per-
sonally unacquanted, with regard to promotion But
alas gentlemen" is the language of the defence, al for
got that he who had violated the chastity OF raak
must Lave made himself its enemy forever 1t then pro
ceeded TO state that the Pilot Boats OF the Expedition
those the most calculated to distinguish themselves, and
this had been proved 10 be by the history Of the
Flying Fish during her Antarctic cruise Yet Lieut.
Wilkes first act comforting the command OF those
sells upon Passed Midshpmenn spite of the
OF the Lieutenant, and his promises with regard to
rank and the accused had been appointed to the
mand of the Flying Fish until Lieut.. Wilkes had been
warned by the fate of the Gull the modification
he felt at that circumstance doubtless had effect his
conduct towards the accused and which occasoned him
to address rebuke to him in such manner that he
thought his duty to report il TO the Hon. the Secretary
of the Navy which report had been detained by Lieut.
Wilkes for upwards OF year 1t then proceeded to COM
Wilkes, comparing his statements in his letters With his
evidence before the Court and both those with the evil
denoe Of other officers which had completely and fully
disproved his assertions, both regarded the neg
lect Of the accused and the alleged filth of the hold of
Il.
Wilkes could not have as he had sworn and also that
had been cleaned and whitew ashed just previously Il
also remarked the statement OF Lieut.. wilkes, that
he did not give receive verbal Communications which
dsprov by the letters of Lieut. wilkes and the
mony of Lieut.. Hudson. 1t then proceeded TO comment
the conduct of Lieut. Wilkes receiving protest
from the accused respecting the command the schooner
which was forwarded through the accuseds counsel,
officer 1t Long to whom 1t. Wilkes remarked
ing il, "hat he not there any Banks in
Terra del Fuego, taking further notice OF for
months such were the feelings Of the accused a. the
in which he becu atCd al he
had been afraid he should be accused OF OF man
ness for bearing it in the which he had done II
commented severely Lieut. wilkes testimony the
boasw aims mate comparing il with his letters that sub
iect which had been read The specific s'ion of
exhibiting the letters between the Isl MAY and 9TH Octo
her had not been proved but the accused desired
state that he had sudiously concealed them from all but
those whom he consulted for advice and to the
charges being in unsesled he did as an act
of courtesy to his commanding officer and had
them through ahrd party to I've enabled TO prove that they
had reached him. the necessity OF which rendered eyi
dent by Lieutenant Wilkes assertion"that he did
know what do with them" and "that he should take
notice OF them" The neglect in not keeping watch he
considered explained and Tie neglect in surveying
also disproved. He then comment OF the
evidence of Lieutenant Wilkes with regs~d 20 the teo
ny The repairs the schooner whics he stated he
Knew from general report were 20 make s schooner
fashu" an alleg alton which had bern complete, dis
proved. He pleaded guilty TO not keelwC i91rll but
said that he had intention OF dsr, gaiunG -ny orders.
did he believe he had done o. ard had Destroyed
he he had kept bccausch he was heartily ushamc1
Of it and he thought il the mcmbcrg of the court
had the inspection OF journals kept they would destroy
OF tieH 'il nc -N'i'n v NAi'h
had destroyed his and he thought TINT the charge OF
scandalous conduct was much wOri, than the crime.
The SIKH cbargr.wss not proved end he evidence had
shown hat he was not man no was cruel towards hls
crew.
This closed the defence, which an lNcCcllgiy vcl
written document, showing The talents OF Ar. ftnhney
and his friend Assistant Surgeon Palmer, TO be oil no mean
order
The then cleared and when re-opeped 90 1urn
e1 till 10 O'Clock wednesday morning when the trial
of Lieut.. Wilkes will be commenced zen charges, pre-
erred against him by Asst Surgeon Guou and 1t. Pink
supported,
the officers of the expedition This trial il is also expected
will expose view all the operations Of the squadron the
quarres with, and the alleged of the natives
&C., and will doubtless be highly inter csting.