The Express.
London, England, 1861-02-28 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 28, 1861.

THE TURNBULL CORRESPONDENCE.

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Copies of the letters and minutes which have
passed between the government and the Master of the
Rolls relative to Mr. Turnbull's appointment and resigna-
tion were issued this morning from the parliamentary
printing-office. In the letters to Mr. Turnbull notifying his
appointment (dated August 13, ltis9) the Master of the
Rolls says he is confident that that gentleman's ability
and care will "produce • work of great value,
to the public and of great credit to you yourself, and
which may, I hope, lead to some ulterior employment,
in which your knowledge sad abilities may be well
employed. If, however, the government continue the
grants hitherto made and premised by it for this
purpose the employment I propose to you is one which
' will not be concluded for several years at least." On the
Bth of August Sir John Romilly wrote to the
Treasury, describing the kind et calendar which he
required, and recommending Mr. Turnbull for the
week, mentioning also the rate of remuneration

which he proposed to gire ; sad the Treasury, reply-
ing through Mr. G. A. Hamilton, expressed their
approval of the arrangements. On the 6th of the
prevent month the Muter of the Rolla communicated

the fact of Mr. Turnbull's resignation to the Treasury, ex.
pressing the opinion that that gentleman had done his work
" with great ability and great fidelity,' and adding :
" It is not for me to suggest any course to their lord-
ships ; but if they should think it proper to suspend their
acceptance of Mr. Turnbull's resignation, and permit me to
press upon him the propriety of continuing his ser-
•ices, it would be a great gratification to me,
end would, I think, be beneficial to the public. The
circumstances, however, commeted with Mr. Turnbull's case
are so peculiar, and have attracted so much notice, that I
can only call their lordship,' attention to the circumstance ;
but at the ems time I beg to state that if their lordships
think fit to adopt this course, it will be at my earnest recom-
mendation, which I will put in any stronger form that may
be considered suitable for the occasion, and consistent with
the respect I entertain for them."

In answer to the above we have the following Treasury
minute, dated as recently as Monday last : " Write to the
Master of the Rolls that my lords readily accept his
Hooour's testimony to the manner in which Mr. Turnbull
has performed his duties in preparing • calendar of
foreign papers in her Majesty's State Paper-office, and
willingly acknowledge that no ground has been shown for
doubting that the work has been executed with ability and
fidelity. An, however, that gentleman has placed
his resignation in the hands of the Master of the
Rolls, it becomes the duty of this board to
consider whether there are circumstances to justify
them in adopting the unusual course recommended by
the Master of the Rolls, of requesting him to withdraw that
resignation and to continue his services. My lords desire
to abstain from noticing the discussions which have taken
piece in public relating to Mr. Turnbull, but regarding the
question simply in the light in which it is brought before
than by the Master of the Rolls, they are of opinion
that when circumstances have arisen which have imbued •
gentleman entrusted with a peculiar duty to withdraw from
it on the ground of public attacks, which have prevented
him from motioning his services with satisfaction to bins-
self, it can 'molly be for the interests of the public, or of
the Individual concerned, that he should be solicited to re-
sume that individious position. On these grounds, although
my lords regret with the Master of the }Ulm that the govern•
meat should be deprived of the services o a gentleman
possessisr4 peculiar Aptitude for the special duties entrusted
to him. they feel that they cannot, consistently with their
duty, do otherwise than accept Mr. Turnbull's resignation."