THE PURLOINED LETTERS.

Evening Star, Issue 3960, 3 November 1875, Page 2

THE PURLOINED LETTERS.

His Excellency's decision iu Coloicl M'Donnell's case lia3 beenj communicated. The evidence taken before the Court of Enquiry ; is very voluminous. The three principal wit- ; nesses were Sir George Grey, Messrs Sheehau ■ *md Brissenden. The latter brought no proof , to show that the letter sent to him by M'Douj n-11 v.'us oue of those said to have been missed ! from the Club ; on the contrary, ft, was pivwd : to have been delivered to iM'Uonnell, at Id;', ,' lodgings, by some person u- known. j\i r j iSheehan, who had spoken to M'Donuell on i two or three occasions during the th ec j days orissenden's letter was in M'Doniidl'u j possession—advised him on tho third day to j send the letter at once to Brissendeu, .Sir ) George Grey (to whom M'Donnell sent a few i minutes after ho had received the lr-ttei) leal the whole or apportion of it, then ncou.mendod hi ui to take legal advice and his speaking to Mi isheehan. i'lvm the evidence Sir George Grey appears to have been the only person who recommended the retention of liriHseiideu's letter by M'Donne'l, and when a Bled by the CouitJ for his reason for recommending M'Dounell to take l<' ri al advice ratiier than return the letter aduressed to Bju-sendui at once to its i,wne> jo Mid he thought something very wrong hid b.eu done by somebojy, and that-delay would give time for inquiry, 'lie (indiu- of the Court is to this dieet : that after receiving the letter at his lodgings M'Donnell;read a portion of it before ho ascertained that it was ad. dressed to Brissenden, but tint on seeing it was •>o addressed he wai guilty of highly inaproper conduct in not sending it at once to Brissei den with a note <i apology and explanation. Tlie Court p.t tho same time considered that, the great anxiety of mi;,d under which M'Dounell was Inboring about that time on account of .imputations as to his veracity before the Taiiua Committee, together with the injudicious advice he had received, were the causes of his so improperly retaining Briusenden'jj.letter, taking a copy, and

showing it to others, such conduct being reprehensible and unjustifiable. The Court concluded by referring to M'Donnell's high t' s'imonials, distinguished set vice, and ehai actor. The Governor entirely concurs in the opinion of the Court; but as theie is no evidence in <\ny way connect'!!;,' M'Do'unell with the abstraction of (lie letter, and taking into consideration his anxiety of mind at the lime, imhl moreover, as ho believes his conduct was gr.-atly guided by advice Ik- received from others, the Governor is unwill i g for the above re;e.-ons, and in consequence of bis previous distinguished services, to cancel his conn dssion, His Excellency must, h-wt-vor, express p'rong reprobation oi his conduct, and adjudge him to he reprimanded by the- Defence Minister.