The case of R. [L.] Law tried by court martial, which has been in my
hands for a month nearly, was disposed of to-day. The court found him guilty on
both charges and sentenced him to be dismissed from the Navy, but recommended
him to clemency. Proposed to the President three years' suspension, the first
six months without pay. This to be the general order, but if, at the expiration
of six or eight months, it was thought best to remit the remainder of the
punishment, it could be done.
“Look over the subject carefully,” said the President, “and make the
case as light as possible on his father's account, who is an old friend of
mine, and I shall be glad to remit all that you can recommend.”
Commodore Wilkes is behaving badly in many respects. I can do no less
than order a court of inquiry in regard to the publication of his letter in
violation of orders. He, after having been guilty of the act, evades, or tries
to evade, the responsibility, and would see innocent persons rest under the
imputation of having committed his offense. In regard to his age, his course is
also equivocal and insulting to the Department. By suppressing it he was for a
time in commission as Commodore. But notwithstanding suppression and
equivocation his age is pretty well authenticated from the files of the
Department. A second circular was sent him, suggesting that he might not have
received the first. He returned no definite answer but presumed the Department
had his correct age from his father, and said he had not received the first
circular. The third time he was written to, and he then answered, saying he was
born in April, and that he is sixty-two. The records of the Department show
that he is not only sixty-two but sixty-five.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30,
1864, p. 505-6
