The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-22

acqulcsce in such leisure. He wrote letters. by
the score, entreating, berating. He bombarded
tho press with volumipous communications. II
ever there was an old sea dog In n righteous
rage, he was that old sea dog. d.
In APRIL President, Adams ordered n court Of
and throughout Its course was subject to pur-
ter's acute md minute CRITICISMS. Before Its
decision was rendered he had published an &C.
count Of tho proceedings. showing his own in
fallible position. Tho court, however, took an
| opposite view, and on its recommendation Por-
ter was summoned on the 2]d OF june as n de-
PENDANT before a court-inartial Of twelve Cap
tains, with James Barron as President.
Richard $. Coke appeared ~ Judge Advocate.
Porter's instant objection to him resulted in n
rather whimsical procedure. One OF the Judges
diselaimed MS ability to- decide Whether such q
opinion. The Judge Advocate was thcrenpon
called Hnon 70 furnish such advice. ,wlici, he
naturally did in favor OF his own independent
and immovablc position.
The charges were two!old. The first accused
Porter OF dlsobcdience md conduct nnhecoming
AN officer In that "ho did land on the Island OF
Porto Rico In the dominions of his Catholic
acts OF hostility IL contravention OF the Consti.
tuition. the laws OF nations. and the Govern
ments instructions" The sccond charge was
injudicious rage, and dealt with his behavior
since his return. IL accused him OF sending
Secretary of the Navy, of having published an
incorrect. account OF the proceedings Of the
ments. and of having made public various otii-
clal communications thus 'inpairing the dis
ClIllnC VI tIe ScrNlCe anu setting u most uNnser-
Gus and pernicious example,
The proof ndduced by the prosecution on the
to tho old hero. Lieut.. Plat tesifHed as to lis
treatment AT. Fnxardo,. whereby IL appeared
that in all Likelihood the worthy first citizen
whose aid he invoked was the receiver ot the
stolen goods AMI had bribed the officials to in
suit and drive him fro,n town. Plat and the
other officers present also testified as to The de-
tails OF porter's famous expedition. They all
agreed that everything had beei done in AN
orderly manner and under colors: that tile spik-
ing % the guns had prevented hloodshed; that
both the Alca!de and the Captain OF the Port
been urged on by the %piraticnl nature OF the
Inhabitants: that for years past Foxardo had
been a refuge FOR frecGooters who had ridiculed
the prowrss OF Americans. but that now the
flag and the uniform met with respect.
porter's defence was IN questioned. Regard
ing the second charge. he said:
IF taken unawarcs by the sud9enness OF the
attack or the novelty OF the situation. an excru-
loose through the guards which should have
preserved mo unmoveh anu self balanced: yet.
after all. | bow with humility and experimental
tions."
Doubtless lie realized that he had been some
what unnannerlv IN his demands. Doubtless
he felt, "a every one well knew. that he was as
little fitted for II sea lawyer as lie was thor
oughlJ fitted for n sea fighter.
But tue first charge was the main one. and
alone worthy OF consideration. Porter boldly
justified his conduct: He claimed that his in
struciinns ordered him to protect the COM
merce and the citizens Of tile United States
sar!ly implied. lie showed that the spanish
islands we're without proper government. ana
hence mo-, entities, to the benefl, of the laws Of
nations. He quoted from John Quincy Adams's
spirited reply 10. the complaints of Spain re-
EsrdinS Gen. Jackson,s invasion and occupation
United states can as little compound with i'm
potcnce as with ,%peridy."' Indeed. no seemed to
81. Marks and Pensacola. He argued with Vat
tel, that there are occasions when the sn pject
act in consequence OF his tacit commands "
But in VAN. The, court found Porter guilty
sion for six months. Regarding the first charge
IT had The grace to say that it a>cribed the con-
duct of the accused :" to an anxious disposition
on his part TO maintain the honor and nd vance .
the interests of the nation and the service" But
there was no salve for Porter in these words.
a iir fsIs ]Sni sna ycS d,,ErSGe tss OFF,! !.S Of Te san@ob IDS
cr-in-chicf of the naval forces Of Mexico.
Thourh, this position was splendid in power
Porter. He was an alien. surrounded ny those
who hated his race. despised his religion. and
private letters describes his ex perience there:
"A rrtrospeet of the history Of my life seems
loath 10 live over again, and it would not be be.
co. the trials OF fort!tpde 1 underwear here, ex.
coed belief. l could have served that base and
unprincipled nation. but they would not let me.
But / left them w%ithouta stain on my character.
which was not what Others under the same cir
cumstances would have done"
With the election of jackson there came wei
for one who could as little compound with i'm
potence AS with perfdy" in the Dons. And so
Porter ceased to be a mereenary and once more
first. at Algiers. and then at Constantinople.
He proved. as ever. faithful and competent, bnt
days of the Essex. He surely deserved a better
fate than defeat after an unworthy struggle
been forgiven him. for he both loved and
served much. He was a type OF the old navy:
bluff. simple. brave, above all and through, all
patriotic-a type to be worthily remembered.
l