The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-02 00:00:00

commander in chief, and sent for me with the commander
and first lieutenant into his Cabin, and then told me that he
substituted for his original order one to the effect that I
should, on every Monday morning, take efficient steps to
ascertain whether the boy had been at afternoon service on
the day before, and if not to report such absence to him. I
received the order under protest, and appealed to the admi-
ral against it, on the ground that I was not an executive
officer and did not know how to take these steps, and also
because Capt. Chamberlain had refused to assist me in the
matter; he having, when I asked him to do so, answered
" There is your order, sir, it is for you to obey it." lat
the same time appealed to the admiral on the score of having
been confined to the ship ever since last Friday.
Soon after this Capt. Fellowes, of the flag ship, came on
board and had a long interview with me, and having per-
suaded me that I could obey this new order, I withdraw my
appeal, reserving to myself the right b take any further
step I might please in the case. I then in the presence of
Capt. Fellowes, the commander, end the first lieutenant,
asked Capt. Chamberlain about my confinement to the ship.
He answered, that was entirely in the admiral's hands, but
that he had no doubt now that I had accepted the order it
would be immediately withdrawn. At 7 p.m. Commander
Fairfax received a memorandum from Capt. Chamberlain
to the effect that he was to inform me that I was released
from my arrest. . .

Having made this statement I respectfully appeal to
their lordships. I think they will consider that I hive
been oppressively treated by Captain Chamberlain ; first,
inaanuch as he gave me an order which he had learnt
from myself that I could not in conscience obey ; and then
for placing me under arrest for not obeying such an order
so given. •

As regards the confinement to the ship (from Friday, at
12.30, when I was released from arrest, uatil Tuesday,
seven p.m., when I was again released.) I think their
lordships will consider that Capt. Chamberlain by saying,
when I asked him why my leave was stopped, " Leave is
an indulgence, and you have refused to obey lay order ;"
and again by saying that, " He did not consider it a punish-
ment," did not plainly allow that he stopped my leave by
his own authority and his own act (although the admiral
may afterwards have taken upon himself the responsibility).
and which act was, I urge, even if legal, most oppressive.
I most respectfully, therefore, appeal to their lordships
to grant me such redress as they may think fit for this
treatment, which treatment I received, too, for refusing to
obey an order which the commander in chief must have
thought unjustifiable, or ho would not have caused Captain
Chamberlain to withdraw it after my having so pointedly
and fixedly said I could not oboy it, and also for the suffer-
ing which their lordships must perceive I have undergone
during the past week. I also respectfully appeal to their
lordships to cause the order which obliges this poor boy to
attend Divine service as a punishment to be rescinded.
(Signed) F. E. GUTTERES,
Chaplain and Naval Instructor.

The Admiralty having received the above appeal, have
directed the commander in chief, Admiral Smart, to hold a
private court of inquiry, and report his opinion of these
transactions, in which, if this statement be true, he is
himself one of the principal actors.