Response About Status of Officer Who Refused to Lodge a Plea
Document 1799Responds to Adams' request for McHenry's opinion on the matter of Ensign David Fero, who was sentenced to dismissal from the army some time before, and had appealed to Adams. Considers the question of whether Fero's refusal to plead innocent or guilty (instead "standing mute") should affect his status, reviewing military and civil precedents, and concludes that such persons were still punished if found guilty. Importunes Adams to not yield to Fero's obstinacy, as it would do injury to the service and the president's reputation. Mentions that a letter informing Fero of his discharge has already been sent.
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Type
Autograph Letter Signed
Description
Responds to Adams' request for McHenry's opinion on the matter of Ensign David Fero, who was sentenced to dismissal from the army some time before, and had appealed to Adams. Considers the question of whether Fero's refusal to plead innocent or guilty (instead "standing mute") should affect his status, reviewing military and civil precedents, and concludes that such persons were still punished if found guilty. Importunes Adams to not yield to Fero's obstinacy, as it would do injury to the service and the president's reputation. Mentions that a letter informing Fero of his discharge has already been sent.
Date
07/13/1799
Author
Recipient
Repository
Collection
Document number
1799071300201
Page start
1
Note
The second collection partially duplicates the first.
Notable persons
John Adams
James McHenry
Ensign David Fero
Notable locations
Philadelphia
Notable items
sentence
general court martial
conduct
opinion