Hull offered no objection to his court, and the trial began at Albany, Jan. 3, 1814, Dearborn presiding, and Martin Van Buren acting as special judge-advocate. March 26 the court sentenced Hull to be shot to death for cowardice, neglect of duty, and unofficer-like conduct. April 25 President Madison approved the sentence, but remitted the execution, and Hull’s name was ordered to be struck from the army roll.
That some one should be punished for the loss of Detroit was evident, and few persons were likely to complain because Hull was a selected victim; but many thought that if Hull deserved to be shot, other men, much higher than he in office and responsibility, merited punishment; and the character of the court-martial added no credit to the Government, which in effect it acquitted of blame.
END OF VOL. I.
FOOTNOTES
[1] Madison to Wheaton, Feb. 26, 1827; Works, iii. 553.
[2] Castlereagh to Russell, Aug. 29, 1812; State Papers, iii. 589.
[3] Russell to Monroe, Sept. 17, 1812; State Papers, iii. 593.
[4] Castlereagh to Russell, Sept. 18, 1812; State Papers, iii. 592.
[5] Cobbett’s Debates, xxiv. 463; Feb. 18, 1813.
[6] James, App. No. 77.