The daily union., 1854-07-28
coAMoDoRE STEWART AND THE NAVY BILL.

Ma EDIToR: On examining the pay list OF the navy
bl reported by the Naval Committee Of the House. il has
occurred that manifest injustice win be done the
pslAnt -Old Ironsdes"
Commodore Stewart il should be remembered is the
only surviving naval officer that was In command during
the war of lsl2l5 Independent Of his great v-tory
e two British ships Cyane and Leyan which been uni
yeray distinguished for sublime manuuvrng and kful
seamahp he has captured seventeen eighteen vessels
from our enemies ard in whatever capacity be has served
be has received rehuke from the government Even
his just claims and those Of his gallant officers and crew,
or indemnity growing out of the improper seizure Of the
prize ship Levani by Sir George Golfers squadron in the
neutral port of Port Praya have been dsregarded and
now his later days he is TO suffer large reduction Of
payto be reduced the level Of other post captains all
though capable of performing active service any of
his grade II il therefore TO be hoped that the indeaga
BE and excellent chairman of Naval Affairs in the House
will have this matter reeonsidered
Before closing would beg you to republish the follow
ing opinion of the cour-nartia convened in 1925 by
der Of President Adams have recently learned that
some misappehension exists amongst members
Of Congress regarding the result of that malicious pro-
ceeding
Navy DEPARTMENT September S, 1925.
Sir enclose you the Judgment OF the court-lnartal
which the President of the United States has approved
aeoung YOU most honoraby Of all the charges which
have been made against you and Of which the government
has been apprized while you commanded the squadron in
e character those who presented the such thai
an inquiry was demanded by your honor, aud the
duty which Tie government owed 10 ITSELF and the inter
ses of the nation. The result Of the investigation has
been satisfactory to the Execuiivewil be useful TO the
public and honorable TO yourself 1t has furnished
elusive public and private accusation and
deemed fame from reproach fame heretofore dear
to your country and hereafter 10 become still more
precious
1 am, very respectfully, Scy
SAML L. SOUTHARD.
Capt CHARLES STEWART
United States Navy, Washington,
In terminating trial which has awakened general
and so deep interest and in submitting the result to
the Executive the court trusts that the peculiar character
Of accusations which have been investigated will fur
nsh for appendng to the record few remarks
When rumnrs and reports widely and industrousy
disseminated calculated impair the high standing and
usefulness Of officer in whom great trust and confidence
have been reposed it becomes the duty Of the Executive
afford to such officer by the convention Of proper tbu
nal ample opportunity of vindcating himself before the
world To afford this opportunity and preserve from
the nsidious effects Of unmerited reproaeh reputation
dear TO the nation-won by the honorable services
and twenty years 10 extnguish preudcrs and
pon created by misrepresentation or misconceptions Of
public agents and private individuals; and, finally, do
all which the laws which justice and which honor
this court has been convened.
Charges and specifications have been preferred embIa
cing all the made against Captain Stewart and
Investigation has been made into their truth Ii has
conducted by the judge advocate in the most exemplary
manner yet with minueness and fitness calculated
leave doubt cloud of SUSPICION resting ih,
character Of the Accused This investigation has produced
what desired by Captain Stewart, and intended by
the Executve-a development of all the important
actions attending the late cruise OF the Franklin in the
Pacific and the principles and motives which guided The
conduct of the commander These charges and specifications
the has adjndged TO he proved be in some
respects utterly grOuudess and Others to have orip
na.ed in a uisconcepon Misrepresentation of the most
innocent and mefiorious acts and Captain Stewart has
been most fully and most honorably acquitted OF every
the slightest, improprieiy.
The court however conceves that the peculiar charac
of the accusation such that it would render that
full measure of justice which is required its hands by
simple Judgment Of ac4uitta Ii is therefore impeled BY
Of duty go further and to make unhesitatinglv
this declaration to the world that far from having
lated the high duties OF neutrality and respect for the laws
of nations far from having sacrificed the honor of the
American flag tarnished his fair fame by acting
upon any motives OF nercenary sordid kind tsr
from having neglected his duty betrayed the
posed in him, by refusing proper protection to American
azens and property rendering such protection subse
vent to individual interests circumstance has been
developed throughout the whole Of this
vesgahon into the various Of threyears
cruse calculated to impair the confidence which the
be of the court the navy and the nation have long
posed in the honor the talents and the patriotism Of this
distinguished officer, weaken, in any manner, the
opinion which all who knew him entertained Of his human
ity and dispterestedness.
These virtues only glow with brighter usre from this
ordeal of trial. like the be riumphany display ed
when yalor and skill achieved victory adorn the
annals Of ons naval glory.
James Barrcn President
William NJ, Crane Thomas Brown,
Robert Trail Spence Chs, c. B. Thompson
I'D Henley, Alex. S. Wads.orth
D Elliott Geo. W Rodgers.
$. Cassn, 20 =, peaa
James Renshaw
Rirba Eowe Tu1r