The daily union., 1852-11-09
The Case Of General GratiOt.

| lnc Ease OI ucHCIdl uFatiOt
| We publish below, and commend TO the attention Of
readers the proceedings had before the Senate in the
case Of General Gra,iot, who dismissed from the
army in 1888 for alleged defalcation. The report be-
low comprisesa that know OF the case and we deem
it due to General Graot TO give ii place in our col.
umns.
The Committee on III. Judciuy of the Senate, 10 uhom
rDas referred the menoriaL c Gsne,d Charies Grato
aGer ca,etu consideration ht,eof, ak leape 10 r.
| port:
That The prayer OF the petitioner is for the expression
Of the opinion of the Senate upon the legality of pre-.
ceedngs in the dismissal OF the petitioner from the army
OF The United States.
The simple expression OF such an opinion scarcely
with the duty OF the Senate, compai-
bic with the public interests for It would. very possibly,
imply the necessity OF ulteror proceedings
plated in the petition, and which il would he manlfesty
improper 10 originate on this wise or from this committee
at ALL As far however, the committee may be ust
fed in pursuing the course desired. they will proceed
very cheerfully.
The career OF the petitioner in the army of the United
States, during long period Of nearly forty years, is
matter OF history ha, may justly excite the pride and ad
mration of every American citizen Brave IN battle, he
presided, for long time, with distinguished honor and
ability, at the head OF OF the most difficult and ar
duous bureaus Of the military department. and has ei 10
the country lasting monuments of bis skill aud science IN
the construction of magnificent orlifcaiions,
both TO exhibit her strength and TO insure her safety
! While thus honotably and usefully employed IN tie
hded in by his country, and abused her confidence
IN The disbursement OF immense sums OF money, aad
lived honoed and respected by all classes OF mea, with
no faint of suspicion attaching TO his name
With character SO high TO sustain him, the charge Of
malfeasance in office should be received with great
lion by the people, and rgdly scruiinized by Congress,
and unjust influences OF any nature whatsoever
should be permitted prevail in his but IT, unfor
tunatey, such influences do obtain ground then is OBJ
vously the imperative duty Of Congress 10 them,
for higher duty devolves upon the federal Legislature
than the protection OF the honor OF its military officers o
which il is necessarily 10 very great exep, The chief
custodian.
should be allowed 10 iniefpose. Wherein Legislation IS
deficient, should be supplied, and all bars OF rules and
regulations OF the service should be removed for nothing
be dear to the American ofcer his honor, and
nothing should be more assduousy guarded by The
American people than that for the honor OF the soldiers
of the republic Is IN no small measure The lie and spirit
OF enligh htened freedom With these brief general obse
vaons, the committee WILL as briefly, revert TO the
OF the petitioner.
/ The case OF Gen. Charles Gratiot, who the CHIEF
OF the corps OF eng IN The army OF the United Staes
has been esbora,ey discussed every circle and 10
fully reported upon TO Congress- that the history o the
whole case is familiar to every one.
The alleged grievance which constitutes the cause oil
his dissatisfaction the summary dismissal Of the Pc
,ioner from the army n the year 1895, by The President
of The United Sa,esfrs', upon the plea that the power
thus exercised arbitrary, and contrary 10 the True
meaning and intent of the act OF Congress conveying il;
aud, .econdy. that dealcaton in me accounts of the
petitioner which was the assigned for the removal
In supper, OF his first plea, the petitioner exhibits ma"
of testimony which is certainly entitled to be very CAM
ly weighed and measured and amongst the same the
opinion of the general commanding in-chief upon
parallel case, than which no authority can be higher
la support OF the second plea, he denies totally ns
truth Of the charge of defacaon, and contends that
is not and never was indebted to the Uned States o
moneys mlsused by him, and that just and legal adjust
ment OF his accounts will bring the United States IN os"
to hm that The Withholding Of the funds, upon ihe ds
mand of the Secretary OF War, was measure OF sell,
hv pf ihp
that he was then and Is now prepared Tor equ's"s
settlement. which s his demand and desire.
II seems 10 the commit'ee that both OF the plsasnls
reasonable, and should receive attention, urgei asmt
are with the eanestness Of conscious reende, by ar
Ian, soldier who has acquired Alright 10 be heard, ITO"
the blood he has spilled in battle.
Further than this the committee regret that they anhc
go, as 1T s not in their power afford adequate rsnen
by recommending the passage of any law for the rse~
the petitioner and they therefore ask leave 10 mo"
charged from the further consideration OF the subject
WAsHrseros July 10. 1852
SIR In addition to the proofs Of facts submitted IN
memorial referred 10 your COMMITTEES Tor exam naioa
respectfully beg leave through you, to add thereo
accompanying printed brief ot the case, with further
dence as TO the state of opprsips durss was placed
der. at the time the demand made OF an alleged :"
ance due by TO the United States This evidence
contained in the letter of General Macomb OF the Ns
January, 1890 The original was lost in the deparlme
but is certified TO with reference TO s existence, ana -
conditions upon which might be allowed to pay tbe ~
illegally asked. These proofs are found in the Letter
the Secretary Of War OF The 29lh ult and in III cue
Mr. Sanford. and certificate Of the Sd Of the same mou
The character OF Mr. Sanford be established ne.
ed, by the senators from Missouri whom he ~ ~
known The proposals made through General haeoJ J
show that close analogy exists between my es~ es~s,
that Of Lieutenant Roberts for whose relief the senAs
committee reported bill asserting in their rePoH =,
the proceedings Gin his case) were in every resPe.o
ceWonable am fully aware that The Senate r.r, esps
without the inefposon Of other branches Of gose.s
ment, restore TO my iegot position IN the army
'certany II s not barred, conservative body