Response About Status of Officer Who Refused to Lodge a Plea
Item
Type
Autograph Letter Signed
Title
Response About Status of Officer Who Refused to Lodge a Plea
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.
year created
1799
month created
07
day created
13
author
recipient
in collection
note
The second collection partially duplicates the first.
notable person/group
John Adams
James McHenry
Ensign David Fero
notable location
Philadelphia
notable item/thing
sentence
general court martial
conduct
opinion
document number
1799071300201
page start
1
Item sets
Transcribe this document
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (9 pages) | IDH15 (9 pages) | Collection: John Adams Papers | R: 395 |
| [view document] (4 pages) | KGC06 (4 pages) | Collection: MMC, McHenry, James: mm85004543 | [unknown] |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | James McHenry | [unknown] | [n/a] |
| Recipient | John Adams | [unknown] | [n/a] |