Arkansas intelligencer., 1843-10-07
Court Of Inquiry at Fort Gibson.---No. 5.

of character and feeling TO dare to make charges
against corrupt officer, without regard to his
rank. That he done SO without tact, talent or in
Huence-he relied sololy upon the truth of the
charges, and honor of the Court. He found when
screen their brother oficer-and that the. accused
was determined to avail himself of all the quirks
and bubbles Of law, and descend to the practice
of special pleader. All this he soon discover
ed, and that he was not prepared to coun,eract it.
He was advised by his friends to abandon the
prosecution, and to notify the Secretary of War
that he had done so for the reasons given above
but he persevered fearessly 10 the end. The re-
suit was an acquittaI by J. NJ. Porter-but in the
disgrace Of the accused and the Court, in the eyes
of all honorable men,. For the tcmerity of the
accused, he had TO be crushed-an example was
to be made of him to warn other citizens, that al
though it was right to remove civil officers, when
suspicion pointed them out unworthy to hold
Office, and to eat the bread of the people, militia
ry officers must not be moested, except by onepf
their own tribe, except when he is tho victim of
their prejudice and hate.
Whilst we have touched upon this angle of the
subject, we will make few pertinent remarks in
drop this Improbable subject-the "game is not
worth the candles" Our long acquaintance with
the army, warrants us in saying that seldom, if
ever, an officer is affected by charges mado by
citizens--but when officer becomes the Joseph
of his breth:on of the regment-or when high
ranking officer descends upon him-pure indeed.
and spotless, must be his character, to pass un-
scathed the fiery ordeal Of military COURT
Witnesses will enter court and gravely swear tha.
he is guilty of unoficer-like aud ungentlemanly
conduct--and give as evidence his commission of
acts that his brother officers perpetra,e daily
The difference is, these acts of tho victim re per-
peiraed by one who thoy are determined tobreak
down--the others were committed by the clique
On the other hand, if cfarges are preferred against
a farorite, it is ten TO one whether the Command
ing Officer will entertain :hem--or if he does.
Gordon will be drawn around the court, and the
favorte will be screened If tho big dog OF
the pack, a Comma ndng Officer, is beset which.
is seldom--for junior officers aro afraid--senior
officers, Influenced by fellow feeling will not -
and If citizen makes charges nguins, him, he
knows not what he is doinn-he goes 10 work hind
Cd, muzzled, and fettered, and ho becomes the
sport and play-thing of these of Mars; and
If he is not made of the right kind of stuff he will
be served as the cat serves the mouse--when he
ceases to give them sport they will destroy him.
Such was the case with the accuser and the court,
The accuser rests satisfied with his course 1t
took birth in honorable motives. He prosecuted
ths matter honorably and took no adraniages--
even in his hours of defeat and adversely he stoop.
ed 10 nothing dishonorable. He still stands erect,
irreproachable and responsible, possessing three
attributes of a gentleman, which he cannot attri-
been wrestling, although they carry with thom
certificates which gentlemen are bound to recog.
| Mise.
HARMONY GROVE, May lst, 1913.
SIR Upon the 4th ult., requested you by
letter, to enter into investigation of the crcum-
stances connected with the late attempt of Capt.
Dawson to retaiate upon 1t. Ridgoly tho injuries he
had received from that officer, in hopes It would
result in rescinsion of your Order, No. &C. dated
Fort Gibson, March 18th lS43,' in which am
denounced as an accessory to an infamous at
tempt at murder, at your post and am ordered TO
quit the Post and Indian country forthwith, with
the penalty Of arrest hanging over me, if | am
seen about the Post. twenty-four hours after the
date of this order.
made the request preferiug being acquitted Of
the guilt attributed to mo. rather than contest your
jurisdiction over the case. You decline com ply.
ing with my request. contenting yourself with the
Propriety Of erparie investigation, thereby de-
Priving me, as far as it laid in your power, of be-
ing heard in my own defence--of the hope of be-.
) ing reinstated in my rights, an American cti.
zen, lawfully in the Indian country, viz of
travelling on the public highway that passes near.
but outside Of the "was perma nent enclosures
of your fort-of crossing Grand river in public
ferry upon said hghway--of visiting public
Indian agency oflice--of visiting the Post Office
at your Post, which offices outside of tho en-
closures of your garrison, and are established for
tho interest and convenience of American citizens,
as well rs for other persons. The publication Of
said order is lbelIous upon my character, and its
enforcement will be unjust, oppressive, and illegal
Ian Infringement upon my rights an Ameri.
, can citizen, therefore. solemnly protest against
its publication and enforcement.
u Because, am innocent Of the violation of anv
of the laws of my country. | have been unjust.
ly tried and condemned upon erparte testimony.
before an illegal tribunal. You, rs Conm,nd;ng