Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-01-14

man appointed SIess'S. Jas. Il. SIdt6S, l. II lYey.
DR.. Abner Crump, Henry Gordon and mo STRAIT
ton.
On motion, Resolved, Thai the proceedings of
and Enquirer.
Alter which the meeting adjourned.
JOHN B. HARVlE, Chm.
w. j. DANCE, Sec'y.
EXCITING SCENES BEFORE THE FIRE.
MONT COURT MARTlAL.-The dull and
monolonous proceedings of the Fremon. Court
Martial we're on Saturday and Monday, The fifty
second and fifty third days of its session, some
what varied by passage OF words looks, frowns,
gtimaccs, &c. on the part OF Col. Benton to-
wards Gen. kearnv, which cannot bu, an,use the
general reader. Fiom Tie report OF Saturdays
proceedings, as published in the National Intel
Iiscncer, we extract The following:
General Kearny SAID: "Mr. President: Be-
fore the Court is cleared wish 10 make a state
penl"
No objection being made
Gen. kearny said 81 consider il due 10 the
dignity Of the Court, AMI The high respect | en-
terrain for il, tina, should here state that on my
last appearance beio:e this Court, when was
answering questions proponncci tn me by The
CoUrl, The senior counsel OF the accused, Thos.
II. Benton, OF Missouri, sat in his place making
mouths and srimaces at me, which | considered
were intended to offend 10 insult, and % overawe
me.
81 ask of this Court no action SO lar as am
concerned. lam fully capable of taking care OF
my own honor"
The President of the C rur said "He reareued
very much to hear it. He baG no. observed any
thing OF it. He referred 10 The power OF courts
martial undet The law IN regard 10 violations OK
order in it, presence; and NJ read the 70 article
Of the Rules and Articles OF War as follows
mo person whatsoever shall use any mena-
cling words, signs gestures in presence ola court
martial, or Shall cause any disorder or riot, or
disturb their proceedings, on the penalty Of being
punished aiihc discretion Of The said court mar
iia
The hon. Thomas Fl. Benton, OF counsel for
Lieut.. Col Fremont, then addressed the Court as
iol.ws:
Il desire the Judge Advocate will take down
what | say" He then continued:
"Mr President: On or about the first day OF
Gen. Kearnys examination before this Court,
when he stood in that corner, and when he twice
swore that Col. Fremont had The originals now
OF certain papers if he had not destroyed them,
he fixed his eyes upon Col. Fremont fxedly and
pausingy, and looked insultingly and iendishly
al him. The Judge Advocate, by leading ques-
tons, led Grn Kearuy into modification Of
what he had previously sworn"
Here member OF the Court rose and said
MIR. President: | rise TO bring the affection OF The
Court 10 point Of order, which ought, think, 10
be observed. Remark, rejecting upon The in
regrity Of our proceedings are not, IN my opinion,
admissible"
Colonel Benton said 81 admit the power Of
the Curt to punish, but they must frs, hear"
|, being now lew minGtes o. three O'Clock,
when by law the Coui, must adjourn, the Judge
A .v M n
remarks, without waiting for the Judge Advo-
cate In record them and he, the Judge Advocate,
would endsavor 10 remember and afterwards re-
cord Them.
Colonel Benton continued his remarks, accord
ing to The recollection OF the Judge Advocate, as
follows:
"When General Kparny liked his eyes on Col.
Fremont, determined, ii he should attempt
again To .ool, down prisoner, | would look at
him. | did this day: and the look OF 10 day was
the consequence Of the looks iD this Court be-
fore. Ida to-day look al Gen. kearny when he
looked at Col. Fremont; and | locked him down;
looked a; him ill his eyes iell-lill they fell
upon The noor.
'As to his Court, dsclaim any intention to
disturb lis order, entertaining as do the high
es, respect tor his Court"
The President OF he Court said he had obserV-
ed General Kea.ny look towards Colonel Free
mon, during the Trial, and on the occasion reie'-
red 10, bri not with en- insulting expression oil
eountenance; on The contrary, he, The President,
thought the expression was one OF poiteness and
kindness.
The hour of three having arrived, the Presi-
dent gave the order Tor The adjournment OF The
Couu.
Gen. Kearny rose and said Il wish, in the
prc.enc. OF the Court, 10 say, that have never
offered the slightest insult 10 Col. Fremont, either
here As prisoner on his ira or any where, or
under any circumstances whatsoever"
The .la,ter was again brought up on MONDAY,
when the President Of the Court rose and read
he following:
"rhe recollection ard impressions Of the MEM
bcrs OF the Conr, confirm those oi the President,
as expressed on Saturday, in reference 10 the looks
of The witness on The occasion referred 10 oy Inc
senior counsel. The Court considers the act
avowci by Inc counsel, OF attempting 10 ook
down witness before i as improper and inde-
corons; bui a. il did NJ come 10 Ihs notice OF The
President, and the counsel has discamrd any
intention of disrespec, to the Cour no nftncf ac-
ton will BE- taken"
Wheyeupon Col. Benton Che senior counsel Oh
Lieut.. Col FremonD arose and left the Court
Gen. Kearny being in Court, requested permits.
sion 10 make a statement. The Cou9' uitec'ed
the statement 10 be made in wri;'h2i accordingly,
and the Cour; then being in closed session, zen.
Kearny sent in the following note, winch Inc
Conr, declined 10 receive. Ii was, therefore, not
read ia open court or placed on the record, bur
was returned To Gen. Kearny. II was 10 The fol-
lowing terms:
,Disclamng in advance the remotes in'en-
ton OF Offering the least kind OF disrespect TO the
Court in the following statement, have TO refer
The Court to the Closing remarks OF The senior
counsel for the dsisnce, Thomas / =. Benton, OF
Missouri, which is on the record, and as follows:
4 looked him down, looked him TIL his eyes
fel-till they fell upon the hoor.' That statement
is false, and ain prepared 10 prove it to De iat'e
by members OF this Cont.
S w. KsAnSY, Brig Gen"
Corresponding of The Baltimore Sun.
WASHINGTON, Jan. IL, l64o.