The Express.
London, England, 1857-12-18 00:00:00

DISCIPLINE OF THE ASYY.

WOOLWICH, Dy.c. 17.

The following important communication from hie
Royal IIiffIUMNI the Duke of Cambridge, the general com-
manding in chief, having reference to recent courts-martiel,
has been received by Major-General Sir W. F. Williams,
commandant of the Royal Artillery, and Colonel Brown,
commandant of the Royal Marines, at Woolw irk, and was
this day read over to the officers of the corps at their respec-
tive mw-rooms
" Hone °wads, Dec. 14.
" 'Upon two OCWIOIIII officers, who have been convicted
upon the clearest evidence of moat serious offence. /wand
the military discipline have blem recommended by general
courts-martial to her Majeety's merciful consideration. In
ems case the prisoner wee found guilty of having abeented
himself from hi. corps without leave fur a considerable
period, netting at defiance du military subordination. In the
other cam the prisoner was convicted of habitual contempt of
the orders of his commanding officer, and was, moreover, con-
victed of scandalous conduct, unbecoming an officer and •
gentleman. In both instances there were no mitigating dr-
am:Manors ; but the courts-martial having adjudged the pri-
soners the punishment due to their crimes., accompanied the
sentence by a recommendation to mercy.
" The General Commanding-in-Chief, in the exercise of
Me judgment, did not foal justified in supporting such re-
commendations, based upon the youth and utexpenence of the
prisoners. There have been, and there may be hereafter,
occurrences where youth and inexperience may be urged in
mitcra of punishment ; but persevering and systematic,
d 'owe of orders, and deliberate falsehood can admit of
so pillfoion ; and his Royal Highness the Doke of Cam-
bridge most earnestly deares that when officers are called
2 .ter, adjudicate upon charges involving such serious
they will pause and serioualy reflect before they
recommend to her Majesty's clemency individuals who have
been found guilty of them, and who thereby have been
proved unworthy of serving the Queen and country in • pro-
kelt= which must be upheld by the principle. of honour
and discipline.
" By command of his Royal Highness the General Caw
mending-in-Chief.
" G. A. WITHERALL, Adjutant-General."

ADXINALTT, Dec. 17. APTOINTMENTB.—Diee3
tenant J. Trevenen (1860), to the Cusco', 31, @crew steam
Gate, Portsmouth.
•. P. W. Yellow (1868), to the Calypso, 18, at
Chatham: end L. M. Mallet, to the Cambrian, 40, at
Devonport.
Acting Mate L. C. Keppel, to the Renown, 91, screw
steam ship, at Sheerness.
Midshipmen • G. J. B. Elphinstone, to the Cambrian;
A. T. Collier, to the Carucci', H. 1•Plocoy and W. Stewart,
to the Renown.

The Colooelcy of the 3rd Buffs, which hes just
become vacant by the death of Lieutenant-General Was-
booms. will be confamed on Major-General Sir Henry
Havelock, _ .

fru: MONSTER MORTAR. An intimation has
been noshed to the effect the a number of distinguished
vhatore will antra at the Royal Arsenal to-morrow for :he
purpose of wltneasing the_ experiments with the monster
mortar. Amongst them are Lord Pennerston, Lord Panmwe.
Colonel Boldero, M.P., and a number of officers of the Hon.
Rest India Company's .aeries. The firing party are ordered
to be on the ground at 9 a.m., and every arrangement to pre-
vent accident has been made.

DEATH OP REAR-ADMIRAL SIR FRANCIS
BEAUIORT, 1.C.8.

We regret to learn that intelligence of the demise
of Roar-Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort was received in town
last evening, Sir Thomas died at an early hour yesterday
morning at Brighton. This gallant officer was known to Ell
our naval readers as having been Hydrographrr to the Ad-
miralty from July, 1832, up to February, Lat. Sir Francis
entered the navy in J LLLIO, 1787, and was a midshipman on
board the Agullon, 32, one of Lord }lowa's repeaters on
the " glorioce let of June, 1791.