New-York tribune., 1867-09-13
THE CASE or GEN. F1Tz JOHN PORTER.

HIS APPEAL 70 TIE PRESIDENT FOR NEW
TRIAL.
The following is the application OF Gen. fitz
john Porter to the President asking that his case be re-
opened and new Court-Mar'al ordered;
YORK Jan. Il, 1907.
To His Eccel'cncy ANDREW JOHNSON, fitstdeh V INC
SIR beg leave to respectfully tbathy Court
ienced 10 be cashiered and forever rendered Incapable
of holding Office under tie Government Of the United
TO so Severe sentence persistent efforts been made
those arising from the uncharsed crmc of treason
Seventeen wears life have been spent in the army
of the United staesyears covering the active events of
the Mexican wal, and including the opening and most
m All times with driies Of tic greafcst respon
sbilities frequently performed at we peIl O e =, ,n M
presentation of the charges 10 breath OF suspicion na
attached tss to reputation wGh II ma eeeD e as II
vour Excclency Will appreciate the motive that induces
n ne TO t. Sah ay i e a II SS @ Of % the & @ d
10 Inc that with such record as my country had gen
adjudgod guilty Of wnlly ncgectng the interests Of
that country in it's hour Of perl, and TO whose reputation
history and welfare bound by every sentiment OF
patriotism, gratitude, and interest. ~
Conscious of innocence feeling that. whatever dlher
Of opinion might arise upon OlpeI points, thele
would not aHd could not be any as to ry iahhneSs OF
purpose could not bring my mind TO contemplate any
other verdict than that OF "a speedy ana honorable
acquittal. u
to the Court and myself IN this assuming much uhat
should have forth also feel assured that your
make refeIcnce 10 Inc Of my life While IN conn
try's service The vindoaon Of my honor alone cbnpes
me Ia do 50 I'm this paper az III previous one reu ~ o'ho
The verdict against me was found January, 1909, at
vroncd with penis; distnst had seized upon many
minds; errors of great magnitude had occurred the lcss
great and growing sentiment that an example should be
had 10y which tatlessness or ncompetency should be
promptly dealt with. May not nov 8 = wEh truth that
il was MY misfortune TO he charged and tired at s-tO
me--mOst inOppOrtuDe of peIlodsi -,,.,
believe IS safe TO say that Inuch OF me evidence aa
duced against upon the trial would ~ the light oi
the present fuu information upon the vital and at that
time necessarily disputed points, be either entirely
changed materially modified. Eytcnce of the most
SHE 10 either e Court or myself is now readily
obtained and ia form and uudcr circumstances brought
together that admit Of dispute Competent and dis
persons including many Of those who deemed
Inv trial and condemnation just now concur III the com
pleeness Of the vndcatOn which this unconscious tes
Relying on the justice Of my Government, feeling
would prevail and knoVng that from the very nature OF
the case and the Surroundings time would, However
slowly 10 my impatient honor, prove The best aiDier
have borne In silence and without complaint tine burden OF
that sentence. 90
documents from able and intelligent writers, which bear
is useless 10 say more than that they bear unsolicited
contribution they go and believe the time IL
at hand when 1t IS my duty 70 appeal TO my Hoyeflent
vision home TO me and all hold most sacred IN
II is duty owe also to the honored officers who bore
testimony in my behalf; to my brave command, whose
history has been imperishaby written ana 10 my cOu-
try that stain OF injustice should he recorded against
her.
NV appeal is TO your Exceency 10 appoint court for
the purpose Of recOnsderng the proceedings III my case
composed ust 1t may be- Of the best talent ana most
approved patriotism III the army.
L believe that, with such court
now Instituted and with the fl testimony 10 be OBJ.
tanned can obtain the full and honorable acquittal
know deserve and which shall ever seek at the hands
Of my country. With high respect, am your 0bedlent
servant, fITZ JOHN PORTER
This petition is indorsed by the Hons. Henry wilson,
John Sherman, Ira Harris Horace Greeley L. r g. fos-
ter, ~ =. Banks, and A. @. Curtin.