difference of the naval, and military laws, they had not the means of punishing on board.”* For the information of officers commanding troops, who are embarked on board transports, the following opinion, and orders of His Majesty, conveyed in the Remarks on a Court Martial held at Chatham on the 25th April, 1826, are inserted. Major - was tried for "using degrading, and insulting language towards Lieutenant -, Royal Navy, and Agent for Transports, more especially by repeatedly threatening the said Lieutenant.” The Court sentenced Major to be publicly, and severely reprimanded. The King was pleased to approve, and confirm the Finding, and Sentence of the Court; but His Majesty was at the same time pleased to consider the conduct of the prisoner, as it appeared on the face of the proceedings, to have been most injudicious, and of a tendency most dangerous, and injurious to the safety of the troops embarked under his command, and calculated to bring into contempt the authority of the officer of his Majesty's navy placed in the responsible charge of the transport. It appeared to His Majesty, that the best interests of the public service called for a due consideration on his part of the consequences, which might result from allowing an individual, who had so committed himself, to continue to hold a commission, which might place him in situations wherein his want of judgment, temper, and discretion might produce a recurrence of proceedings * Simmons. fraught with the most disastrous consequences to the service at large. Under this view of the case, as it concerns the interests of His Majesty's joint service of Navy, and Army, and taking into consideration also that Major has subjected himself to a sentence of public and serious reprimand, which must have the effect of lessening the respect due to his high rank in the King's service, his Majesty was pleased to command that the prisoner Major shall be called upon to retire from the service, with permission to receive the value of his commission. The King was further pleased to command that the communication of such his Majesty's pleasure should be accompanied by the expression of his Majesty's determination to notice most seriously upon all future occasions, any attempts which may be made by officers of the army, embarked in transports, to interfere with, or to obstruct officers of the navy, in the due execution of the orders, they may have received from the Commissioners of his Majesty's navy, or to prejudice their authority by proceedings, or language, having a tendency to disturb the harmony between the two services, which is essential to the interests, and comfort of both. Vide also "Regulations to be observed by Detachments of Troops embarked on board ships proceeding to India. Horse Guards, 22 July, 1834" Also General Order (No. 518), Horse Guards, 4th December, 1834, "Instructions for Officers commanding His Majesty's troop ships." K CHAPTER VIII. WARRANTS. No. 1.-Form of Warrants under the Sign Manual, enabling officers in command to assemble District, or Garrison Courts Martial. (SEAL.) Victoria R. In pursuance of the provisions of the Mutiny Act, and of Our Articles of War, hereunto annexed, We hereby Authorize, and Empower you from time to time, as occasion may require, to convene, or cause to be assembled, District, or Garrison Courts Martial for the trial, and punishment of any soldier belonging to Our Forces under your command, who is, or shall be charged with Mutiny, or Desertion, or with any other the offences mentioned in the said Act of Parliament, and Articles of War as liable to be tried by such Courts, or with any other misdemeanour, or misbehaviour, contrary to the rules of military discipline: And we do hereby further empower you to direct your Warrant to any officer, not under the degree of a Field Officer, having the command of a body of our forces (not less than four troops, or companies) authorizing him to convene from time to time, and without special reference to you, such Courts Martial as occasion may require, for the trial, and punishment of any soldier under his command, which said District, or Garrison Courts Martial, are to consist of such number of officers as are by the said Act of Parliament, and Articles of War directed, and as can be conveniently summoned to attend the same. And we do hereby direct, that the President of such Courts Martial shall not be under the degree of a Field Officer (unless where a Field Officer cannot be had), nor shall the President, in any case whatever, be the officer commanding the district, or Governor of the garrison where the offender shall be tried, nor the Commanding Officer of the regiment to which the offender belongs, nor under the degree of a Captain. And we do hereby Authorize, and Empower such Courts Martial, to hear and examine into all such matters, and informations as shall be brought before them, touching any offence committed by any soldier as aforesaid. And to proceed in the trial of the offenders, and in giving sentence and awarding punishment, (not extending to death, or transportation), according to the powers, and directions contained in the said Act of Parliament, and Articles of War. And We do hereby authorize you, or the officer on whom your command may devolve during your absence, to receive the Proceedings, and Sentences of such Courts Martial, to cause the same to be put in execution, or to suspend, mitigate, or remit the same, as shall be best for the good of Our service. And for so doing, this shall be, as well to you, as to the said District, or Garrison Courts Martial, and all others whom it may concern, a sufficient Warrant and Authority. Given at Our Court at St. James', this day year of Our Reign. To the General By Her Majesty's Command, or Officer commanding the Forces at not under the rank of Field Officer, or on whom such command may for the time devolve. No. 2.-Form of Warrant for Deputy Judge Advocate. By Judge Advocate General, To of Her Majesty's Forces. By Virtue of the power and authority to me given by Her Majesty, I do hereby appoint you, the said to act as Deputy Judge Advocate, at a General Court Martial, to be holden for the trial of |