The Worthington advance., 1882-04-27
Fl1Z JOHN PORTER.
Another OiGntfed and Manly Letter to the Pres.
illent for Relief

AnotnsE Vlenlneu anu Manly Letter to the Pres.
fdent for Relief.
WAsurNoroN, April 2l.-At the oabinet
mesting to-day, Fitz John Porter wss again nm.
der confederation on new petition from Gan.
Potter for relief from the sentence Of the court
martial. The petition was referred to the a..
crstary Of war.
GEN. PoRTrR's LETTER.
WARRINGTON. April 2l-The letter Of Gen
Fitz John Porter TO President Arthur il A.
follows:
Me,ri.towu; N; j., April ITO The President
knowledge the receipt. through the secretary Of
war. under date OF the 18th inst. Of your decision
upon upon my n.y. application m Of December 20. 1881, TO
court martial IN my case and to nominate me to the
senate tor restoration to my former rank in the
army" Your decision after the determination Of
tho powers OF the president, US expressed in the
opinion OF the attorney general. Is. that compli-
ance With the application contained in my letter II
.;o not Tith,n tn your may have misunder
president when asked you to do directly with the
aid OF the senate, that which a board Of ltstin-
9uohea sy osets ha in the Of Justice
CURING 10 the opinion OF the attorney general-in-
form me you have power only in part to perform
.oa "a tnat spsSa' legislation ,. congress Il needed
was based upon the recommendation Of an adyisorv
board appointed by the president TO examine into
AaCtSe report WnaI action, IN their OOin.
1on Justice required should be taken by the presi-
dent" That board found and reported, after
long and patient examination and
CONSIDERATION OF ALL FACTS
IN the case. that my conduct in all tho events OF
August. 1869, inquired into by the court marital
p which wss tried. vas. IN the light Of full evil
and Also that which unattainsble At tho time Of
my trial. mot subject to criticism, was much less
deserving OF censure or condemnation, and was
obsdient. subordinate. faithful and judicious Il
saved tho Union army from disaster the 29th Of
August" and the advisory board recommend that
IN their opinion justice required at his (the
sary to annn! and set aside the findings
and sentence Of the court martial 'in the case Of
Major General Fitz John Porter and to restore him
to the position OF which that sentence deprived
him: such restoration to take effect from the date
OF dismissal from the service" Relying also upou
the clear and emphatic language Of the said board;
nat all essential facts in every instance, stand out
Ia clear and absolute contrast to those supposed
facts upon which be IL adjudged guilty. and
,lat II 10 not possible that any court martial should
have condemned such conduct If it had been cor.
rectly UNDERSTOOD: and believing l am entitled to
the complete and just vndication recommended bv
ne board and that the sentence Of the court-mar-
tel subsequently proved by overwhelming aud ir-
refragtble testimony to have been.
PA1PABLY ERRONEOUS.
IN its basis OF assumed facts, and utterly destruc
tive OF the happiness and welfare OF an officer who
has never failed In the strctest and most honorable
fidelity to bis government, should not be barrier
to the relief to which consider myself entitled. /
eo"1" ~ Jo", as CIilot JUSTICE my appeal Tor
Justice Conscious of my absolute and entire inno-
cence. have not ceased. from the hour Of the pro-
tnulgaton OF the sentence OF the court martial
done me-. and have striyen in every
proper mode to secure my yinlication, an
thH PUBLIC records now before you viii
tully established. now respectfully and most
earnestly ask you will grant remission Of that Dor
ton Of the sentence OF the court martial which
remains une1ecuted and carry into effect the
recommendation OF the advisory board 40 far "a
tho same lies within your constitutional power. and
tfansnit tho result OF your action. together with
the nndinR OF tho hoard. to congress- coupled With
such recommendations In the premises as you may
deem Just and proper. Very respectfully yours.
[Signed,l FITZ JOHN PORTER