Daily American organ., 1856-03-15

ments on the other side vas, that a severe repn-
mand, sent out by the Secretary OF the Navy,
was publicly read TO thess officers; and this was
followed by an order from the comnodoro send
ing home four of the wardroom ofIicers-Pender'
grast, Du Pont, Missroon, aud Godou. Here they
demanded hearing from the Secretary, Mt
Pauding,) laid their proofs before bin, and the
final result Of this review OF the whole afair was
that he fully excupated these officers, ordered them
back to their places in the Ohio, and sent another
dispatch 90 the commodore exenpting them from
all censure and so strongly was the Secretary
convinced OF the injustice that had boendone them
that he directed the commodore TO cause this dis
patch to be read publicly in presence Of all the
officers who had heard the previous letter of cen
sure. 49, AtA&N
hold In my hand an Official copy Of Secretary
Pauldings letter of acquittal, which ask may be
read a Ia
II was read, as follows ~ .,..s - sg,ljes
NAVY DKPARrassr, June "a, ls4o.
SlRi Lieutenants Pendergrast, Du Pont, Misroon,
and Godon, have reported themselves TO the Depart
nent IN obedience 10 your order, and at the same
time requested examination Of the facts which led
20 the course you have pursued, alleging that such
examination will show that they have suffered great
injustice in being removed from the squadron and
ssnt home 10 the United States aa4A
These allegations, together With some passages 10
the dispatches refsrring 10 the motives which inu
enced you In sending them home, induced the De-
psrtmsnt carefully TO examine and collate all The
communications receiv ed from you since your depart
ure from the United States. This examination has
produced q conviction that although there might
have been sufficient cause the ground Of general
expediency, and due regard 10 that harmony among
all csssss Of officers which essential TO the honor
and interests of the Navy, 10 Withdraw portion Of
the officers from the squadron and for the conmanr
der 70 direct the position Of others 10 be changed
there specific acts definite charges exhibited
In the documents transmitted to the Department and
official misconduct against the wArdroom officers
of the Ohio generally that would authorize justify
the censure which the Department passed on these
gentlemen in the letter Of the 18th December 1889.
AS this letter undoubtedly led TO the measure Of
which Leuteoants Pendergrast, Du Pont, Msroon
and Godon complain, and has been made public in
the squadron ander your command by being read TO
the officers of the Ohio the Department feels il equal
y due to the obligations Of justice, TO its own honor
70 the feelings of the ocers Of the wardroom Of that
ship, and TO the Navy generally that should repair
as tar may be proper and becoming, the conse-
quences which that letter may have produced. For
Ihs purpose therefore, it has been determined to d-
rect Leutenants Pendergrast Du Pont, Misroon, and
the duties and stations from whence they were re.
movcd and that equal publicity be given to this let
ter with that of the 10th December lS3e which was
the ultimate cause of their removal. 8ti 1857
In thus promptly endeavoring to repair the injuries
which may have been inflicted on the interests and
feelings of these officers by act which, though be-
eved TO bs just and expedient at the time, is now
from subsequent explanations admitted TO have been
will have salutary influence and produce the resto-
ration of that mutual harmony, respect and conf
dence among the officers of the squadron in the Meds
terranean which is equally essential TO the efficiency
and reputation of the Navy and to the welfare Of their
country which looks TO that right of its defence
for the special prote Of its interests and its hon
or throughout all parts Of the world
Under the particular circumstances of the case and
most especially this letter is intended to be read
in presence Of the officers Of the Ohio the Depart
ment deems II fit occasion TO express further hope
tn It the commanders tf the squadron and of the
sells composing IT. will continue to enforce, by exam
pie, well by the exercise of their just authority
the laws and regulations of the Navy, with view to
the maintenance of that subordination, order and
discipline without which it neither preserve its
well-won honors, acquire claims ,ohe graft
tude of the country NH
On the other hand, by a prompt cheerful and
willing obedience to orders by cordial and jealous
support Of tha measures Of their superors, and by
being equally infexible in the performance Of their
duties in the assertion of thec rights every other
grade Of officers will best honor themselves and their
profession, serve their country, and merit her conf.
deuce in all fature trials. a
am, sir, respectfully yours, N.E
j. X PAULDING.
Commodore ISAAC HULL, Commanding United
States naval force in the Mediterranean.
Mr.. CLAYTON. This letter, of one of the abea
Secretaries who has ever been at the head of thc
Navy Department, confers the highest honor upon
his own character, as it proves him to have beer
of the few men we find in this world, who, af
ter having done an act Of injustice, are capable OF
voluntarily making ample reparation for it.
Such, sir, is substantially the history of the facts
upon which an attempt has been made to dispar-
age such man as Frank Du Pont have reason
TO believe, sir, that when my honorable friend
from Texas was induced to call for the papers
which disclosed much Of the history of the events
to which have referred, some of those who insti-
gated the call or prompted others to press it,
knew the fact that at that time the original draft
Of Secretary Paulding's last despatch, which exon
Grated Du Pont and his brother officers from the
charges which had been made against them, was
believed, somehow most unaccountably to have
disappeared from the files Of the Navy Depart
ment. But fortunately an official copy of that i'm
portant paper in the possession of one Of these
officers was produced, and then a record Of the
same despatch was discovered, so that the Depart
ment has been able to furnish the Senate in reply
10 the call, with correct copy of the exculpatOry
letter. II the honorable Senator from Texas was
furnished with a copy of these papers without tha
despatch by any one, of which ! pretend to know
nothing, or was informed only of the contents
the other papers, emitting the last then / think
he will readily perceive that grossly erroDeou,
impression has been made upon his own mind by
the account OF these transactions which he has
seen or heard, and that fraudulent attempt has
been made 10 impose upon him, To the injury of n
gentleman whose whole life is calculated TO win
only his respect aud admiration ZEE
NO man who has proper respect for the hon
ored memory OF the commodore will seek to recall
these events for the purpose Of casting unjust re-
hections upon the living; and purposely forbear
all comment upon any part of the proceedings ex-
cept the triumphant final vindication of Du Pont
and his associates contained in the letter of the
Secretary, which justly closed the whole controver-
~ forever.
Indulge me in reference TO one other Incident
~ I'm hoan pofa rrnI a. - a. g
from Captain Du Pont to Lieutenant Rhind, wri :
ten pending the investigations Of the Naval Board
was, during my absence, produced here and read
Allegations had been made before the Naval Board