Forwarding of Department Heads' Opinions on Officers' Commissions & Courts Martial
Document 1799Forwards to Adams the asked-for opinions of the department heads [Cabinet] regarding issues arising from the court martial of Sgt. Richard Hunt. Observes that in the Revolution there was no express requirement that courts martial signify a 2/3 approval of a death sentence.
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[To JA]
War Department 12 July 1799.
Sir,
I have the honour to inclose, a sub:mission to the heads of Departments, in conformity with your letter of the 19th of June ulto, and the answers thereto dated the 3d 6th & 9th of July inst.
I shall only observe, that it appears from the files of the proceedings of courts martial — during our revolutionary war, that the practice was not uniform, to mention on the face of the proceedings, the concurrence of two thirds of the members of the court in a sentence of death, altho' an instance has presented of the execution of such a sentence.
I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect Sir
Your most obt
& hble St
James McHenry
Type
Autograph Letter Signed
Description
Forwards to Adams the asked-for opinions of the department heads [Cabinet] regarding issues arising from the court martial of Sgt. Richard Hunt. Observes that in the Revolution there was no express requirement that courts martial signify a 2/3 approval of a death sentence.
Date
07/12/1799
Author
Recipient
Sent from
War Department
Repository
Collection
Document number
1799071200002
Page start
1
Notable persons
John Adams
James McHenry
Heads of Departments
Notable locations
War Department
Notable items
courts martial
Revolutionary War
sentence of death
proceedings