The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1882-04-27
FITZ JOHN PORTER.
Another Oignitlcl and Manly Letter to the Pres
iuent tor Relief.

Another Digniticl and Manly Letter to the Pres.
ident tor Relief.
WASHINGTON, April 21.-At the cabinet
meeting to-day, Fitz john Porter was again un-
der consideration on a now petition from Gen.
Potter for relief from the sentence of tho court
martial. The petition was referred to the Sc
cretary of war.
GEN. poRTEE's LETTER
WASHINGTON, April 2l.-The letter of Gen.
Fitz John Porter to Pr sident Arthur is as
follows:
Morristown. N. j., April ITO the President,
Washington. u. G. Sir: l have the honor to ac-
knowledge the receipt. through the secretary OF
war. under date OF the 10th inst, of your decision
annul and set aside the findings and sentence Of the
court martial in my case and to nominate mo to the
senate tor restoration to my former rank in the
army Your decision, after the determination OF
the powers of tho president, as expressed in the
opinion Of the attorney general. Is. that compl-
ance with the application contained in my letter is
not within your power" l may have misunder-
stood the extent OF the constitutional power of the
president when asked You to do directly with the
aid of The senate. that which board Of distn-
guished army officers had, in the interest of justice
curing in the opinion of tho attorney general-in-
form mo YOU have power only in part to perform,
and that special legislation by congress is needed
to complete the Justice asked for: My application
was based upon the recommendation of an advisory
board appointed by the president ito examine into
the facts, and to report what action, in their opin-
ion, justice required should be taken by the pres-
dent" That board found and reported, after q
long and patient examination and
CONSIDERATION OF ALL FACTS
in the case that my conduct" in all the events of
August, 1852, inquired into by the court martial
by which was tried, was in the light of full evil
dence that which was then laid before the court.
and also that which was unatainable at the time of
my trial, mot subject to criticism, was much less
ole lent, subordinate, faithful and julicious. 1t
saved The Union army from disaster the 10Th of
August, and tho advisory board recommend that
in their opinion justice required at his (the
presidents) hands such action as may be neces-
sary to annul and Set aside the findings
aud sentence of the cour:-martial in the case of
Major General fltz John Porter and to restore him
to the position Of which that sentence deprived
him. such restoration 10 take effect from tho date
OF dismissal from the service Relying also upon
the clear and emphatic language nf the said board
THAT al! essvn'ial Facts, in every instance, stand
in clear and absolute contrast to those supposed
iacs upon which he (D was adjudged guilty, and
that i: Is not possible that any courtmartial should
have condemned such conduct if it had been cor
rectly UNDERSTOOD: and believing I entitled to
the complete and just vindicaton recommended by
the board and that the sentence of the court
lial subsequently proved by overwhelming and ir-
retraglble testimony to have been
PALPAHLY ERRONEOUS.
in its basis OF assumed facts, and utterly destruc
tive of tine happiness and welfare of an officer who
has failed in the strictest and most honorable
fidelity to his government. should not be barrier
to the relief to which consider mysalf entitled.
again renew to you, as chief justice my appeal for
Justice Conscious of my absolute and entire inno-
cence, have Dot ceased from the hour of the pro-
mitigation of the sentence Of the court martial.
persiseny to protest against the terrible injustice
done me. and have striven in every
proper mode to secure my vindicaton, as
the public records now before you will
fully Established. I now respectfully and most
earnestly ask YOU viii! grant remission of that por-
ton Of the sentence of the court martial which
remains uncxccutea and carry into effect the
recommendation Of the advisory board so far as
the same lies within your constitutional power, and
transmit the result Of your action. together with
the finding Of the board, to congress- coupled with
such recommendations in the premises as you may
deem just and proper. Very respectfuy yours.
lSignel.l FITZ JOIN PORTER.