The Feliciana Democrat., 1858-01-16
COMMODORE PAULDlNG'S PRECEDENTS.

The Government cannot be held responsible for
the violations of international faith, perpcrated by
Commodore l'audng. in landing United States forces
on foreign soil. It's quite evident, even without
his admission of the fact, that he did not follow
the instructions given him by the Navy Department.
Probably Commodore Paulding thought the end
would justify the means: but he thought so, and act
cd thereon without consulting either the instructions
or the character of the Government.
OF the truth of this there is " distinct evidence in
his communication to the Secretary of the Navy as
well ~ in the character of the National Government
and in the rchukcs which former iniringcmcnts and
assumptions have met with from the Governmcnt.-
In the late case of Commander Davis we have for
chile Instance in the denial of his authority by Sccrc
tary Toucy: and in n case of much earlier datc-in
which the offending official was suspended and sc-
vcrcly censuren-wc have still more prominent and
parallel case 10 the present.
We aude to the case of Commodore David n.
Porter, who was courmaralcd in July, 1926. on
the charge that he - captain in the Navy of the
United States. then in command of the naval forces
Of the United Stutcs in the West Indies and Gulf of
Mexico. did, with part of the military force under
his command orcibly land upon the island of Porto
Rico, part of the domnons Of his Catholic Majcs
ty, the King of Spain, then and still at peace" &c,,
with the United States and did then and there com
nit acts Of hosilitics within the territories. &c.
The facts Of the case are worthy Of recital We
condensc them from the deposiions under oath Of
the witnesses on Porcrs trial. Some good belong
ing to American commercial agents at st. Thomas
having been stolen Lieut.. Platt, commanding the
Beagle there. went in search Of the thieves and the
goods to Foyarlo. Porto Rico. Here he disrc-
spcctfuly treated. and imprisoned by the Alcaldc
and considered She insults hcapcd upon him rs insults
to the national flag. Some sixteen days. after disco
vcring the broad pcnant Of Com. Porter standing in
for the harbor Of 81. st. Thomas he boarded the flag
ship. and made known his grievance to Porter. on
the 1ith November the Commodore landed force ut
Foxardo and compelled the Alcadc, under threat Of
the utter destruction Of the place to yield apology
for his treatment of the Lieutenant For this Porter
was c"urt-mariacd, suspended. and severely cen
sured that he could not rccnter the American navy.
Judged by this act. which certainly has many cx.
tenuating points about il. and for which Commodore
Porter suffered Commodore raulding is even more
rcprehcnsibe than at the first impression
| In his letter lo the Secretary of the Navy he pro.
claims Gen. Walker Is m outlaw" bent on purpo-
ses of rapinc and murder; : yet he accords TO this
" ontlaw' and pirate the he'iors of his cabin, re-
cognizcs lis military title, and receives him as prs-
oner of war Of the first class These Inconsistencies
further prove the uncertainty Of Commodore Pauld-
ng's decisions and, a hc admits. the responsibility
that he has incurred. He is so much conoundcd at
hi own dongs that, on reflection, he begs the Gov
ernmcnt to justify him.
If Commodore Porter was suspended and ccnsur-
,bn, ,abou ln |, 4.
5s,-~ Columbus is the name proposed for Tcrriio-
ry TO he formed in what is now known as Carson
Valley" and sometimes called the Great Basin. =
1t is vast region Of territory lying partly in Cali
lornia and Utah. It's stated that il is now inhabited
by 5000 whites and 100000 Indians, The principal
town is tcalled Genoa. James NJ. Crane is now at
Washington as the delegate Of the people OF that
Territory.