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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC08444 |
| From Archive Folder | Documents Relating to the 1880s |
| Title | Opinion of the Attorney-General on the act entitled "An Act For The Relief of Fitz-John Porter." |
| Date | 1884 |
| Author | Brewster, Benjamin Harris (1816-1888) |
| Document Type | Legal document |
| Content Description | Brewster examined the bill for the restoration of Fitz-John Porter to the Army. In conclusion, states: "The bill is subject to objection, upon the ground that it is to be filled by a particular individual named. If this principle were adopted generally in the creation of offices it would obviously result in constraining the appointing power to accept the condition imposed and fill the offices with the individuals designated by Congress, thus frustrating the design of the Constitution... " |
| Subjects | Civil War Military History Union General US Constitution Congress Government and Civics |
| People | Brewster, Benjamin Harris (1816-1888) Porter, Fitz John (1822-1901) |
| Place written | Washington, D.C. |
| Theme | Law; Government & Politics; The American Civil War |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1860-1945 |
| Additional Information | In 1878 and 1879, General Porter was placed before a military board gathered to reevaluate his actions in the Battle of Second Manassas. In March 1879, the board exonerated Porter of former charges placed against him. In the 1880s, Porter's sentence was officially reversed, and under a special act of Congress, his commission was restored (with no back pay due). In an autobiographical sketch (refer to GLC02494.07) he notes, "restoration to the army by President Cleveland under authority of act of Congress dated July 1 '86- Commission as Colonel dating back to May 14 1861. Placed on the retired list of the Army as Colonel July 7 1886." |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945 |
| Civil War: Theater of War | Main Eastern Theater |