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19th Congress.] No. 282. [1st Session.
ON THE SUBJECT OF THE COURT-MARTIAL, COURT OF INQUIRY, AND CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO THE COURSE OF COMMODORE DAVID PORTER IN SUPPRESSING PIRACY IN THE WEST INDIES.
COMMUNICATED TO THE SENATE, JANUARY 24, 1826.
Mr. Hayne, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom was referred a letter from Captain David Porter, of the United States navy, requesting an investigation of charges contained in communications from Thomas Randall and John Mountain; and to whom was also referred a letter from Thomas Randall, on the same subject, together with a communication from the Secretary of the Navy, covering the proceedings of the court of inquiry and court-martial in relation to Captain Porter, reported;
That they have had these several communications under consideration, and find nothing in the character of the transactions to which they relate that requires the interference of this House.
It appears that the case of Captain Porter has been submitted to the proper tribunals; and the committee do not feel themselves warranted in forming any opinion unfavorable to their decisions, or indulging any impression that their proceedings require revision. The committee consider it due alike to the preservation of a proper discipline, and to the reputation of our officers, that appeals should not be encouraged from the decisions of the military courts. Under this view of the subject, and seeing no satisfactory reason for interposing the authority of the House in matters which have been fully settled by the competent authorities, the committee ask leave to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.
In Senate, January 23, 1826.
On motion by Mr. Dickerson,
The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the Committee on Naval Affairs, on the letters from Captain D. Porter and Thomas Randall, and the communication from the Secretary of the Navy, with the proceedings of the court of inquiry and court-martial in relation to Captain Porter; and,
On motion by Mr. Dickerson,
Resolved, That the report be recommitted to the Committee on Naval Affairs, with instructions to amend the same by striking out the following: "It appears that the case of Captain Porter has been submitted to the proper tribunals, and the committee do not feel themselves warranted in forming any opinion unfavorable to their decision, or indulging any impression that their proceedings require revision. The committee consider it due alike to the preservation of a proper discipline, and to the reputation of our officers, that appeals should not be encouraged from the decisions of the military courts. Under this view of the subject, and seeing no satisfactory reason for interposing the authority of the House in matters which have been finally settled by the competent authorities, the committee ask leave to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject."
In Senate, January 24, 1826. Mr. Hayne, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom was recommitted the letters from Captain D. Porter and T. Randall, and the communication from the Secretary of the Navy, with the proceedings of the court of inquiry and court-martial in relation to Captain Porter, reported:
That they have had these several communications under consideration, and find nothing in the character of the transactions to which they relate that requires the interference of this House. The committee ask leave to be discharged from the further consideration of the subjects. The report was read, and in concurrence therewith,
Resolved, That the committee be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.