The Virginian

CAPTAIN HULL.

We stated some time since that we should reserve our opinion as to the innocence or guilt of this officer, relative to the charges of peculation made against him as Naval Commander on the Charlestown station, until the decision of the Court-martial detailed to examine into them, had been made public. This has been done. After a laborious investigation, they have arrived at the conclusions which will be seen in the subjoined 'opinion.' We rejoice exceedingly at the result of the examination. It elevates the 'Hero of the Constitution,' who first broke the magic chain which gave to British prowess on the high seas, the character of invincibility, in the estimation of his countrymen. As 'a lamb before its shearers is dumb,' so are they, who had hoped to have it in their power to detract from the well-earned reputation of Isaac Hull. His fame will wear well, and last long—for it has not only been dearly bought—but it has been purified from the least taint of suspicion by a severe test —passing, untarnished, through the crucible of public opinion—We regret that we have not room for the 'evidence given in on the trial'; but it is, in itself, rendered uninteresting by the conclusions to which it leads, and which follow:-

OPINION.

This Court is of opinion that the conversion of articles in this Yard, belonging to the United States, to the private use of individuals, whether by loan, exchange or otherwise, is incorrect. But, as it appears to the satisfaction of this Court, that all the articles which have been so converted to private use, with the 'consent or knowledge of Capt. Hull, have also been replaced, by similar or other articles of equal or greater value, the Court are therefore of opinion that no loss has in fact resulted to the United States; and that no fraud was practised, sanctioned, or intended by Captain Hull in these transactions.

The Court are further of opinion, that the employment of persons, while in the pay of the U. States, for the private advantage of individuals; excepting such as are specially allowed by the regulations, is incorrect: But the Court are further of opinion, that in the particular instances of this kind which were sanctioned or known to Captain Hull, the deviation from the regulations has not been the cause of loss to the United States.

The Court are further of opinion, that the deviation in this Yard, from the regulations- prescribing particular forms to be observed, in mustering and paying persons employed in Navy Yards, for the United States, was improper, inasmuch as such deviation was made without the previous sanction of the Navy Department. But, it is also the opinion of this Court, that no loss has resulted to the United States from this deviation.

The Court are further of opinion, that the permission granted to Lieut. Percival to visit Europe, by Capt. Hull, without the previous sanction of the Secretary of the Navy, was incorrect. But, the Court are further of opinion, that no injury did, in fact, result to the United States from the permission thus granted.

This Court are further of opinion, that Capt. Hull, in allowing articles belonging to himself, to be placed in the public stores. containing similar articles belonging to the United States, and in permitting the same persons to muster and pay, at the same time and place within the Navy Yard, men employed for his private benefit, and other men who were employed for the United States, was indiscreet, inasmuch as such conduct, though in itself innocent, may. nevertheless, give rise, in the minds of persons not acquainted with the real nature and all the particulars of such transactions. to vague impressions of misconduct in public officers.

The Court are further of opinion, that the charge, made by Capt. Hull's orders. against the United States, for the medicines furnished for the use of his family, by Dr. Evans, was allowed by the general usage of the service at that time.

The Court are further of opinion, that. in withholding his sanction to allowances for chamber-money, fuel, and candles, to officers not permanently attached to the Yard, Capt. Hull was justified by his instructions from the Navy Department.

The Court are further of opinion, that in his conduct towards the officers, mechanics and others, under his command, Capt. Hull has been guilty of no act of oppression or unjustifiable severity, but, on the contrary, he has, so far as was consistent with his duty to the United States, granted every proper indulgence.

The Court are further of opinion, that the purchase of property, in the immediate vicinity of public stations, by officers attached to such stations, may excite surmises injurious to the reputation of such officers, and therefore is not discreet. Yet it is the opinion of the Court, that the particular purchases of this kind made by Capt. Hull were made with no improper view of private advantage to himself, but originated in solicitude for the public interest, and were prosecuted with expectations of public benefit, which the United States, in the opinion of the Court, have realized in the removal of disorderly persons from the vicinity of this Navy Yard.

And finally this Court is of opinion, that, with the before mentioned exceptions, the conduct of Capt. Hull, since his command of this Yard, for strict personal attention to the preservation of the public property committed to his charge; for the judicious application of the means placed at his disposal for the public service: and for the faithful performance of all his other official duties, has been correct and meritorious.

JOHN RODGERS,
President of the Court.
George Sullivan, Judge Advocate.

The President of the Court and the Judge Advocate having respectively set their hands to the above Record, and this Court having acted on all matters committed to them by the Warrant of the Secretary of the Navy ordering this Court, the Court was thereupon adjourned, without day.

Attest,
GEORGE SULLIVAN,
Judge Advocate.