The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-31
THE BROOKLYN NAVY YARD AFFAIR.
TO TIE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.

cree, and once only, did Governor Foote who voted
FOR the Missouri Compromise In 1920 and who afterwards
introduced into the United States the resolution on
the public lands in which Webster and Hayne measured
their intellectual strength, In card the pub.
ic. Now /, his son, being somewhat fixed 10 opinions
and positive in character oow in the footsteps OF my
usrious predecessor rather than permit some Of my
mportunate friends to offer anonymou explanations
which might place the defensive--just where |
intend to stand except by order OF the govern
ment.
IL OF the New York papers Of the 22d instant tele
graphic despatch appeared purporiDg to be from
Der OF Congress in Washington, in which sta.ed sub
stptay that the conduct Of Capt Foote In appealing to
local authorities for protection of federal property when
United States troops at Governors Island in case Of
imminent danger far disapprovcd by the adminstra
tion that removal and trial by general
likely TO follow. ole acted beyond the responsibility
given him by Commodore Rrce-e."
In 10 this despatch, asserting without know
ing the facts in the that acted beyond the respon
siby given me by Commodore Breese | remark that I
did not on that occasion exceed whit the Commo-
dorcs sructions 30 far from IL, the Commodore not
only rave the directions before he left the yard Mt three
O'Clock IN the afternoon but received reports from those
TO whom the directions were giyenncudiug the reply
Of the Mayer to the message which had been ordered
to ceiiver 10 his Honor-durmg which interview
expressed the opinion that old not ri ali believe IN ths
organ zation Of body ofmen currently reported aid
g AT all events we can take Of the Navy Yard
u you can take care OF Brooklyn and from tina.
time until left the yard In the evening, TO
fuIhl an engagement In New York, nothing further
ON my part required Now while the drst and second
IN command were thus temporarily absent, btth tao
yard and tho North Carolina had their compemont Of
ec'rs and men presen, Ia Sufficient to protect the
government property but the fact OF ray spoadng the
evening IN New York, with the previous assent OF the
tommeere, shows TO all persons whose opinions espe
caiy value that no assault at that time apprehcu lei
~ me authorities Of the yapa On this point further re-
marx that ~ is not the pectice Of the government t.
disaIpro,e Of an officers conduct and communicate ia
decEen even 70 member Of Congress before that officer
las n hearing Nor would for a moment do the Hon
Secretary OF the Navy the injustice to suspect him OF b.
ND capable OF such an act towards any officer. short
had tie slightest ldea from the first that there was
ahv ruth III the telegrsphic despatch would Instantly
l. We called Tor court Of inquiry and viudcaod MYSELF
% ~ course OF more than twenty years sea service
ny conduct Las uffo my mot the approval Of the gov
clLment But as u IT, am quite content especially a.
the Misrepresentation has elected the opinion Of a navy
omcer 10 Washington, OF high European ~ vol as Anne
rcsn reputation who, on heatirg Of the despatch re-.
mai keS-i bay, known Foote FOR yeats he In triad
man N every way and whatever he has donef dom care
What II ISL VIII stand by it," Opinions are valued az
coromg TO The source IRON which they en,anate and
however much OF modest may have exhibit
GO lbaye we door and not expecting again 10 take IL
am quite disposed thus u place myself rght on Tho re-
cord beleving that comm sense anil tho princ,pes
which hhort have sustained me viii continue Ia sus-
tain mt % tho close Of ny earthly careor
ANDREW ~ FO0Tr
Commander, United States Navy,
Nlyy lArD, New yoFK, Jan. 30, 1851