“For ordering H.M.’s brig Cameleon to be commissioned while building, aud appointing a Lieutenant to be Commander of the said vessel, an exercise of authority beyond even what was vested in the late commander-in-chief: and,
“For disrespect to the Commodore, by styling him Captain Sayer, in various orders issued to other officers of the squadron, exhibiting in himself thereby a most dangerous example of disobedience and insubordination subversive of discipline and injurious in the extreme to his Majesty’s service.”
On the llth April, Captain O’Brien having closed his defence, without producing any evidence whatever in his justification, either oral or documentary, the following sentence was read by Mr. John Stigant, Acting Judge Advocate:
“At a Court-Martial assembled on board H.M.S. Cornwallis, in Madras Roads, the 6th day of April 1816, and held by adjournment from day today (Sunday excepted) until this llth day of April, 1816.
“Present, | |
| “Henry Weir, Esq. Captain of H.M.S. | Thais, President. |
| “Joseph Prior, Esq. | Acorn. |
| “Charles Shaw, Esq. | Termagant. |
| “John Allen, Esq. | Tyne. |
| “Henry Forbes, Esq. Commander of H.M. sloop Challenger. | |
[Here follows the usual preamble respecting the order for assembling the Court-Martial, &c. &c.]
“The Court having read the original documents, and certified copies in corroboration thereof, and having received the prisoner’s voluntary admission of his having taken upon himself the authority of a Commodore; and the prisoner producing no evidence in refutation of the charges exhibited against him ; and having very maturely and deliberately weighed and considered the whole and every part of the charges against him, are of opinion that the charges are proved, and do therefore adjudge him to be dismissed his Majesty’s service, and he is hereby dismissed accordingly.”
The subject of this sketch returned to England as a passenger on board an indiaman, he preferring that mode of conveyance to the accommodation offered him on board a King’s ship. In Mar. 1817, he was fortunate enough to be reinstated; and in June following, we find him publishing a pamphlet wherein he says that “his immediate restoration to his rank is the best proof, that the Illustrious Character at the Head of the Government, and the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, who recommended it, have acquitted him honorably of the vile charges laid to him * * * * * *
“* * * * * * The reception he has met with at
