Year: 1872

prior to the appointments OF tne cour'SmaruM anu
said:


".I sur,ose Mr. Secretary that you are about to ap
point eourt-maral for trial of the coored Cadet
smith, at West Point. I have received two or three
letters from my Fred, who informs me that the
cadet is very Objectionable there that there are strong
preudices existing against him. &C. Now, this trial
is to come Of Mr.. Secretary, trust that you will so
make up the court as to cause his removal"


There can be doubt that the Secretary OF War, act
ing upon the suggestion Of President Grant did cons
tute the Court including the JudgeAdvocate, OF whom
Ihave spoken with special view secure the dsmis
sal OF Cadet Smith and Gen. Howard placed at the
head that in majority OF the Court should meet
the expectations OF the President, his might add
weight to the verdict before the people OF the country
But the record Of the cadet good the testimony
Of his 1msy that the Court could not find
for ordering his expulsion and because
Of this fact the verdict found dsapproved by te
Secretary Of War; answered in no way to serve te
plot TO disgrace the prosecuted colored boy.


was astonished at this annOunoement remembering
what President Grant had promised me, when III
Hartford in the July preceding, that he would 90 al III
his power TO protect Cadet Smith in his rights, ana also
that the officers at West Point did the same Tor ne
had broken faith with me, by ignoring all the express
sions Of his own and carrying out the views OF MS
Fred, whose conversation at my interview vim
him in Hartford II will be observed, exactly taes WIN
President Grants remarks to the Secretary OF war.
This Fred. has all along assumed 10 De sort oi
Governor OF West Point, and has made himseH
obnoxious to the professors by advising them OF "ha
" his father" desired or did not desire


TJpon Gen Howard's return TO Washington wrote
him a letter expressive OF my disappointment ana
astonishment at the course pursued by Presl-
dent Grant and the Secretary Of War, claiming
that II 1t was right under the guarantees OF
the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the Con-
stuon that colored should be elected as Senators
fr COvtvr fhoui
right the representatives, of the coored race should
be educated at the public expense at West Pont-tlat
there should be no discrimination under the general
system Of equality OF citizenship and, after enargng
upon these points requested him 10 show the letter TO
both the President and the Secretary Of War; or supply
them with copies. Gen. Howard subsequently, advised
me that he had done as requested


From that moment up to the present time have never
believed that Gen Grant has been in sympathy with the
colored people. But convinced that all his profes


ons Of friendship for them have been for the sake OF
his own personal or political advancement.


Following the result of the last cOurtmartal alluded
to. IN which President Grant and his War Secretary
took such an active interest, Cadet Smith was con-
santly harassed by prosecutions the extent OF which
may be imagined when it is stated that, during his
first year at West Point he was, during ten months
of the time, kept under arrest. Evidently 1t was
well understood at West Point what the views and
wishes OF President Grant and the Secretary or
War were. Inc most rlNOlOuS CndISOs McIo
against Smith for special reasons Just before the ball
opened he placed under arrest for no other
reason but TO keep him out Of the ballroom, and was
subsequently released without trial.


In contrast all this abuse Of the coored cadet there
h something striking in the position and treatment OF
Fred Grant at West Point He was graduated 81 in


class of A. and at granted by request Of his father
the President furlough of six months TO visit the Pa
cfc coast and upon his return that furlough was ex
tended to allow him to visit the courts Of Europe, and DO
presented as the great American Prince.


Contrasting again the treatment Of the poor coored
cadet at the Of his first year. President Grant CON
descended absolve for all past oenses only incing
upon him the punishment that he should be set back one
year. and commence anew his career at West Point.


It is proper that should add that during the past
year he has unmOlested and left to the enjoyment
Of all his rights and privileges as cadet He now
standsin his class the first among his equals.


The foregoing is membellished narrative plainly
stating my knowledge Of the whole case. I am very
glad that your letter has enabled to present IT, as
have long felt that there facts in the history Of
Cadet Smith at West Point which the people, and es-
pecay coored people Of the country should know.


Hartford, Conn.,. July %, 1872 DAVID CLARK