The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-01-27
THE "COURT MARTIAL"

The Paragraph going the ROUNDS oi tue news
apeIs, in relation to the "COurt Martial" Is
utterly devoid of all foundation. II is believed
10 have originated with the Courier and Enqu-
rer, and has found its way into the Intelligtn~
Ger. New York Standard. and other papers
The paragraph states that the President OF the
United States, without waiting to learn the de-
cision Of the recent Court OF Inquiry,
has ordered a CoURr MARITAL 10 con-
yene for the trial Of Captain Mackenzie
and others in the case Of the alleged mutny on
board the Somers and The Standard adds that
,his has been done to save Mackenzie and
others from suits at law. Now, we are autho-
rzed to say, that there is not one word OF truth
in the above. No court was ordered till the 25th
instant, four days af er the adjournment OF the
Court of Inquiry, and more than two days after
the receip, Of The record at the Department.
The President has doue nothing in the matter,
and the Secretary Of The Navy has ,seatedit ex-
acty as he has done every other case. He Or
dered a Court Martial as soon as he made
up his mind that it was proper to DO So,
neither waiting for the civil authority to
II the civil authority has desired to take the
case from the Navy Department, it has had am
pie time TO do SO. At least one week will have
elapsed, between the adjournment of the Court
of Inquiry, and the arrest of Commodore Mae
kenzie for trial before Court Martial.
The idea that Court Martial has been Or
dered, or that the parties desired one, "as the
only means of saving themselves from suits at
law" is merely ridiculous. The sentence Of a
Court Martial might, indeed, be bar to pro
secufioa for the same offence in the civil
courts; but that il can prevent suits at law" is
a new idea. The simple truth is, that the
Secretary of the Navy has not made the
least distinction, in any respect between
this and any other case; and the Pre-
sident has not nteriered with him in any
manner whatever. The whole responsibility
rests on the Secretary of the Navy alone, and
he is perfectly willing that his whole proceed
ings in the matter shall be laid before the
country. A Court Martial is necessary. IN
der every possible view Of the case. II
Mackenzie be guilty, il is necessary in order &c
order to try the muiineers. II was not necessd
~, therefore to postpone it even ill the rising
of the Cow, or Inn.,-y- Tho fact that IL ha'
been 81. oned till several days after tina, event
is proof enough that il is not now called will
any view to take the case from The civil autho
riiy.
The following is the paragraph alluded TO
Court Martial ordered 10 nr .aigaie hs Somers "
fair.-1'he President OF the United States, withou
waiting to learn the decision Of the recent Court o
Inquiry, has ordered Court Martial to convene
the Navy Yard in Brooklyn, for the trial Of Com
mander Mackenzie and the officers Of the Somcrs
for the execution Of Spencer, Cromwell and Small
This decision was in compliance with the demand o
Mackenzie and his brother officers.
They desired Court Martial, it is said, as tn,
only means Of saving themselves from suits at Law.