Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-04-23
FTZ JOHN PORTER.
Tb Old Soldiers Last Letter to Presi
cent Arthur-A Plain, Straight
forward Appeal that
SEtuld Receive the Careful Consideration
Of the Executive to the End That
He May Obtain Justice.

WASHINGTON, April 22-The letter of
Fz John Porter to President Arthur is as
fclows:
Tdhe President. Washington. D. c:
DEAR SIR have the honor to acknowl-
ece the receipt-through the secretary OF
wr, under date of the 18Th instant-of your
dci-ion upon my application of December
2I85l, so annul ard set aside the findings
ai sentence OF the court-martial in my
cse, and 10 nominate me 70 the Senate Tor
rstoration to nv former rank in the army"
Hur decision, after determination OF the
pRers of President as expressed IN the
oruion of the attorney general, Is that
cnpliancs with the application contained
in my letter Is not within your power"
my have misunderstood the extent of the
c1stitulional power of the President when
sked you to do directly, with the aid of the
Saate, that which the board of distinguished
amy officers had in the interest OF justice
recommended should be done, bat which
ycl, concurring in the opinion of the attor-
ne general, inform me you have no power
oay in part to perform, and that special leg
isztion by Congress is needed TO complete
the Justice asked for. My application was
basd upon the recommendation OF the Ad-
vieTy Board appointed by the President TO
eIimine into the facts and to report
wlat action, in their opinion, justice re-
CURED should be taken by the President"
HAT board found and reported, after
lolg and patient examination and consldera-
tin of ali the facts in the case, that my con-
dIri in all the events of August, 1852, In
CURED into. by the court-m artial by which
Wa tried, was, in the light OF the full evil
delce, that which was then laid before the
coirt, and also that which was unattainable
atthe time of my trial, Is not subject to criti-
cian, much lesss sscensure or condemnation, and
w8 obedient, subordlC~t tIthtul and judi
cids. 1t saved the Union army from dIsas-
tel on the 29th of August, and the Advisory
Bard recommended that, in their opinion,
iutice required at his (the president's)
hnds such action as may be necessary to
amul and set aside the findings and sentence
ofthe court-martial in the case OF Major
G,neral Fnz John Porter, and to restore him
tothe position of which that sentence de-
pived him, such restoration to take effect
: fnm the date of dismissal from the service.
Rlying also upon the clear and emphatic
| fuguage of said board 'that all essential
| facts in every instance stand out in clear and
ABSOLUTE contrast to those supposed facts on
I which he Q) was adjudged guilty" and tn at
l II Is not possible that any court-mardal
( Should have condemned any such conduct if
| i. had been correctly understood, and believ-
| ing that / am entitled to the complete aud
| jgst vindication recommended by the board
1
subsequently, proven by overwhelming and
irefrsgable testimony to have b Zen palpably
| erroneous in its basis of assumed facts, and
utterly destructive of the happiness and vel
fare OF an officer who has never failed in the
arictest and most honorable fidelity to hi
government, should not be barrier to the
relief to which / consider myself entitled
again renew to you as chief msgistI a:e my
| appeal for justice. Conscious OF my sbsolut;
and entire Innocence, 1 have not ceased from
the hour of the PRONUNCIATION of the sen
ence of the court-martial persistsntly to pro
est against the terrible injustice done me
and have striven in every proper mode Il
secure my vindication, all Of which the pub
Ec records now before you will fully estab
ieh. 1 now respectfully and most earnestly
ask that you will grant remission of tina
portion of the sentence of the court-martia
shich remains unexecuted and carry init
fleet the recommendations of the Advisor,
Board, SO far as the same lies within you
constitutional power, and transmit the resul
of your action, together with the finding o
the board, to Congress, coupled with sucl
recommendation in the premises as you ma.
deem just and proper. Very respectful,
YOURS, FrTZ JOHN PORTER.