The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-02-05
RICH M 0 ND, VA,
MONDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY S, 1855


LIEUT.. HuSTER.-A Western paper well re.
marks that Lieut.. "Alvarado" Hunter must have
some OF ths qualities of that species of f.h which
thfives In The water which ows from the hot spring
of Atkansas-for as he 10 always 10 hot water, and
mostoi the time of his own heating, we are bound
TO suppose he ,hrives best there His recent grave
offence, in returning from military station with.
out leave, has but prec sdent In our naval histo
ry, SO far as we know. Capt Hoffman, In the
sioop Boston; ran away from the same station,
1om. Creis hton eing In command of the Brazil
squsoron, some twenty years ago. Creighton gave
ohase In iiag ship, and repeatedly fred at the
Boston; but the sloop proved the fastest saier and
Hoffmsn made his escape. It was said at the time
by those who knew the two men, that blood would
have been shed if Creighton had overhauled him.
IL .tman was tried, aud would have lost his COM
mission, but some extenua,ion was found In the
tyrannical conduct of Creighton, and the Courr
which sentenced him to be cashiered, recommend
ed him to the mercy o. the executive in cousdera-
ton Of his gallant services in the war of ISl2-he
having brought safely home the prize corvette
Cyane after her capture, with her consort the Le-
want, by Com. Stewart, in The Constitution The
President accordingly modified the sentence, and
he was only suspended for two or three years.
The letter which Lieut.. Hunter addressed to the
Secretary OF the Navy has been published. We
make an extract from this document for the pur-
pose OF showing why the Lieutenant felt himself
bound to return home with his vessel He
says:
wish to inform the Honorable the Secretary OF
the Navy that this has been done after the most
nature deliberation, and that do not throw my.
sell III the least upon the mercy or ceneucy OF the
Department. It has been done upon the fall con-
victlon OF how useless the vessel was, under the
circumstances, upon her station, and that being SO,
to remain quietly there to Oe false 10 the Ie-
rest OF my Goyernmeht aud the honor ol its Dag.
He alleges that ne wished to go to certain points
where difficulties ii yolVing the honor Of our flag
had occurred, but that Commodore Salter refused
10 send him because La feared that he (dunter)
would coInpto mise The Government. lie va 3
then he says ordered Un d cruise to ports whera
no difficulty was knowa TO have occurred. Feeling
himself degraded by this he appeals TO the Secre-
tary. 1t is reasonable to suppose, however, thai
his appeal had bat little effect for he has been dis
missed from the navy for disObedience of orders
and desertion Of his duty. To vindicate himself he
has written another letter; in which he complains
of the conduct of the President arbitrary-thst
if ne had been 10 the Austrian service Court
Martial would have been necessary; but belonging
20 free Government, he is, he says without cere-
mony arbitrarily dismissed by it for conduct which
in his humble judgment he deemed necessary for
The honor of his flag In regard to his supposed
insanity, he says "lf am insane God grant that
may during life remain SO, and that those who COM
mand our vessels and squadrons abroad may be-
come so ii the protection of our flag and cilizeps
= -
ty"
Ii will appear to many that Lieut.. Hunter has
but little 20 complain of a want of conside-
ration in his case. He has been three times dis
missed the service orce dismissed the eauadron six
times court martieled, and once before a Court OF
Inquiry. He was first dismissed by General Jack
son, in 1885, for fighting duel with Miller of Phil
adephia. Subsequently he was restored. During
the Mexican war, he was tried by Court Martial'
and dismissed from Perry's squadron for d,sobe
dience of orders. Soon afterwards Judge Mason,
then Secretary OF the Navy, gave him the COM
mand of the Taney, in the Mediterranean, and on
his return he was dismissed for some alleged Of
fence. Subsequently, Mr. Fillmore was induced
to reiustata him, and he was put in command Of
the Bsinbridge, and now has been dismissed sgain.
Hunter has plenty of pluck, and probably reasons
from his former good fortune that he mey be again
reinstated. With little more discretion he would
be most valuable officer.