The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-06-06
NAVAL COURT MARTIAL.

The court martial for the trial of Capt. Voorhees,,
United States navy, met, and were organized at the
navy-yard on Monday last Having subsequently
determined on choosing more convenient place for
their sittings, they adjourned to chambers in Cole
mans National Hotel, where, on reassembling on
Wednesday last, the judge advocate, Benjamin
F. Halet, esq, of Boston, Massachusetts, presented
to the court statement of the facts and points of
law bearing on the case As this course was de-
INJURED to-, being unusual at naval courts martial
he went into an argument to show that it was ac-
cording to the authorities, and that he was entitled
in virtue of his office as Judge advocate, and in his
capacity as legal adviser to take the course he had
suggested. The objection being withdrawn, his
written statement, rendered TO the court, was re-
ceived
The following are the specifications upon which
Capt Voorhees, is tried:
Charge and specifications Of charge preferred By The Secrea
ryhe Nary asdiust Phipp r. Hoorhees captain in tie
Nary Of the United States,
Observation-Disclosures IF orders.
Specification l In this that the said Captain Philip +
Voorhees, having been about the l4h day of March
s44 despatched In the United States rgate Congress to
the port Of Monteyideo in the river Platte South Americn
for the purpose ofproecng the commerce and interests Of
the United States in that quarter and having been ordered
by his commanding officer Captain Daniel Turner, com
z ito be extremely particular in all his official and private
Intercourse with the ontevidean and Buenos gov
ernments and to bear always in mind that not only
the policy of our government but their desire
maintain strict and unqualified neutrality in all things
relating tho begerents and to those countries gener-
ally did about the goth day OF September S4l
the port of Montevi1eo dsobey the said order by
wronguliy capturing and taking orcble of
armed vessel called the sancala belonging to government
nj with the government OF the United States and at
war with the government of MonteWdoo
Specification ID In this that the said Captain Philip F..
Voorhees, about the 10th day o. september ish ut
the port honeydeo, did disobey the order Of
Captain Daniel Turner set forth in the hr specification Of
this charge, by wrongfully capturing and taking orcibe
possession OF squadron OF armed vessels belonging TO
at peace with the government OF the United
States and at with the government OF Montevide
Specification 3D. In this that the said Captain Philip r.
Voorhees, about the 10Th day OF September islI
Daniel Turner forth the first specification Of this
charges by orcby and wronguy releasing prisoners and
property captured by in custody Of squadron of
sells employed In bockadng the port OF Montevideo the
said squadron belonging government at peace with the
government Of the United States
Specification an, In this, that the said Captain Philip y.
Voorhees, about the 29th day OF september 1874 at
the port Of Montevdeo did dsotey the order Of
this charge by wrongfny and forciby taking senmen
from squadron OF vessels blocEadng the port Of Monte
vfdeo the said squadron belonging TO government at
peace with the government OF the United states
Specification 5 In this that the said Captain Philip "
Voorhees, the 92d day Of October 1874
the port Montevieo did disohey the order Of Cap
tain Daniel Turner set forth in the first specification this
charge by refusing permit squadron Of vessels
ed IN hockadng Montevdeo enforce that w in
respect merchant vessels belonging to the United States
the said squadron belonging 10 government at peace With
the government of the United states t
NAVY DrPARrNENr, May %, lsi5.
On Thursday, yesterday the court met at 10,