Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-21
Gen. Grants Ma.nanimity.
UNPUBLISHED LETTERS ON THE FITZ JOIN
PORTER CASE.

UNPUBLISHED LETTERS ON THE FITZ JOHN
PORTER CASE.
The hitherto unpublished correspondence
between General u $. Grant and General Fitz
John Porter in relation to the appeal of Cen
eral Porter for rehearing OF his case is made
public by pamphlet of twenty pages, Just
issued. The letters begin with General Porter's
first appeal to General Grant September g
1866, and continue up to General Grants last
illness. In the first letter General Porter asks
Gen. Grant to aid him by letter to the Presi-
re-examination OF the proceedings of the court
martial, and to make known his action to the
Hon s%.. k seyisG Johnson General Adam
date of October !, 1865. declining to interfere.
On September IS, 1867, Gen. Grant, as Secre-
tary of War, made an Endorsement on the ap-
plication OF Gen. Porter of 1867 to President
Johnson, stating that no testimony was con-
tanned in the application that demonstrated
evidence The testimony on which he was con-
victed. and therefore Gen. Grant recommended
that no action be taken. On September 10,
1867 in answer to a further letter from Porter,
Gen. Grant recommended that the application
be referred to the Attorney General as to the
authority to try a second time by military
court Il person whose case has been regularly
ana finally disposed OF by law. The documents
disappeared from the Attorney Generals office
;a were never found. Copies are now on file.
Che appeal. with increased evidence, was re-
newed in 1869, and again in 1874, but no action
WAS taken upon them by Gen. Grant. On Sep
TENDER l., 1881 Gen. Porter requested an inter-
view with Gen. Grant that he might present
facts to meet any objection Gen. Grant might
have to hi acts. The interview did not take place
but Gen Grant examined the papers sent by
Gen. Porter, aud on december 8, 1881, wrote
that from what he had read he believed he had
done Gen. Porter injustice. On December %,
1881, Gen. Grant wrote TO the President that
he had reviewed the trial and the testimony
turn shed before the Schofed court OF inquiry,
heid IN 1879 and was convinced that for nine
teen years he had been doing a gallant and
efficient soldier a very great injustice. Gen.
Grant explained that lie had been led into the
mistake by reading Gen. POrter's defense in
connection with sketches of the field, which he
had learned by comparison with anaps made
by the engineers department were entirely In
correct as showing the positions OF the two ar
mics.
On December 80, 1881, Gen. Grant wrote to
Gen. j. A. Logan, apprising him Of the con-
cltisions ne had reluctantly reached against all
preeoneeiNed notions, and stating that he
deeheu II due to On accused man to say SO. On
February 4, 1882, Gen. Grant wrote u letter to
United States Senator Cameron, reviewing the
Porter case at length, and explaining and reit-
Grating his conclusions. On December 81. 1882
Gen. Grant wrote to Gen. Porter that II any
friend Tor enemy should be guilty of the bod
Porter with that for the retirement OF Gen.
Grant, he would telegraph that his be with
drawn entirely. 81 care nothing about mine
Whatever, continues Gen. Grant. at will de
pend much upon the discussion that takes
place In Congress whether accept 1t, even If 1t
am ready TO say now that If yours can be adj
vanced by laying mine on the table or with.
drawing 1t, am ready to ask 1t.
The last letter of the series is dated Long
Branch, July a, 1854. In 1t Gen. Grant says:
You can scarcely conceive the pain II caused
me to read the veto of your bill by the Presi
dent Yesterday. His message Is the meres,
sophistry."