The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-08-26
Another Military Court Martial.


SIR Il beg leave to call the atte ntion OF the War
Department TO the enclosed slip from the New York
Herald of the 18th instant containing the grave accu
sation against nee, from the Jon. Thomas IL. Benton,
Senator from Mise uri, of conduct unbecomlng an
of1cer and gentleman, and unbecoming judge on
court martial" accompanied by number specih-
cations set forth by him against me- under that charge
Had the charge and specifications been allowed 70
remain on the table of the Senate (before which, 1t
would they in the first place exhibited I'M
til taken up ana acted on by that honorable body.
should have felt bound to await in silence its disposal
of them; but it appears they have been distracted
the custody of the Senate and spread before the
world in the columns of public newspaper and this
by authority of the aforesaid Senator from Missouri
lmme diatey upon my being made acquaintedwith this
publication called upon two friends who are both
gentlemen the highest standing before the country
of them distinguished civilian, who has occupied
repeatedly Of the highest aud most honorable sta
tons in the councils Of the nation and the other
equally distinguished and gallant officer now in the
country's service-and advised with them as to the
most compatible with honor, and with right to
be pursued in this case.
In accordance with their advice and my own sense
ofwhat is due 10 the profession to which ! belong,
seek opportunity for full and prompt trial under
the charge, and each and every one Of the alleged
mdemeanors set forth in the specifications in order
that their odium may rest the accused or the
cuser, according as they may be pronounced upon.
Accordingly. sir most respectfully ask that gene
raj court martial be granted by the proper autho
rity for my trial. and that judge advocate may be
appointed practicable to sign these charges
and Specifications in the of the United States md
in that capacity be directed to them against
before the sad general court martial which, con-
siderng the place where the charges have
ly laid by the aforeDamed Senator believe to be the
most proper tribunal now to entertain them And
further ask that the said Senator and all Others who
profess that there is truth in his accusations be invt
ed to aid the judge advocate in prosecuting them be-
fore the said tribunal.
And do hereby solemnly avow and declare them all
to be devoid Of truth and justice and that the odum
attaching to them will be found investigation to
rest not in anywise upon me, but altogether and
trely upon my accusor
Amy tribunal these charges and specifications
will, conceive have the power to remove the injunc-
ton Of secrey imposed by the osths of the President
and members and the Judge Advocate of the late gene
raj court martial, before which was tried Lieut. Col.
John c. Fremont Of the regiment of mounted rifles,
and this desire be done, in order that each and
every Of them may be required testify fully and
freely according to law upon every point involved in
these allegations against me.
! request sir that this communication may be laid
before the honorable the Secretary of Var from whom
most respectfully ask speedy action upon it.
! am, very respectfully, your obedent servant
JAMES ID. GRAHAM Maj Top Eng'rs.
Brig. Gen ROGER JONES, Adjutant General of TIM