The Sun.
London, England, 1825-02-22 00:00:00

"Til E ARM Y.

GENERAL COURT 31ARTI.IL.
Hor3.e Guards, Jan. 18,1825.
A t.a General Court-Martial held at the Cape of Good Hope,
on the 15th of June, 1824, and continued by adjournments to
the 27th of July following, Lieutenant William Octavius At-
kinson, of the 49th Regiment, was arraigned upon the under-
mentioned charges, viz.
" Ist. For;infamous, base, and dishonourable conduct, in
instigating, aiding, and assisting an inhabitant then of Cape
Town, named Nathaniel Joseph Smith, in writing two scan-
dalous and false statements, dated the Ist and 2d September,
1823, with a \•2w of conspiring against the honour and cha-
racter of Major Glegg, at that period commanding the 49th
Regiment, in prejudice of good order and military
and in breach of the Articles of War.
I " 2d. For having in hi, possession two written papers, con-
' taining scandalous and false statements, highly reflecting upon
the honour and character of Major Glegg. at that period coin-
mending the 49th Regiment, sliming such statements to seve-
ral individuals, and not communicating the contents thereof to
Major Glegg for some days ; such conduct being highly sub-
versive of good order and military discipline, and in breach of
the Articles of War. , _ .

" 31 For hesitating to relinquish possession of the two
written papers mentioned in the preceding charges, on the
morning of Thursday, the 4th of September, 1823, when pro.
(hieing them a second time, by desire of lllajor Glegg ; and is
his (Major Glegg's) quarters declaring, in a violent and in-
subordinate manner, that he (Major Giegg) should not have
the said papers, nor would he allow them to remain in Major
Glegg's hands until an Officer of the Regiment was sent for to
witness their detention, when he (Lieutenant Atkinson) exult-
ingly &dared he hc:tl another copy in his possession, thereby
attempting to overawe his Commanding Officer, the same being
subversive of good order and military discipline, and in breach
of the Articles of War.
" 4th. For living publicly, for several weeks, in the Castle
Barracks, about the month of August, 1823, with a female of
the name -or Smith, the wire, or reputed 'wife, of Nathaniel
Joseph Smith, at that :time an inhabitant of Cape Town, in
apartments adjacent to rooms occupied by a married Officer,
notwithstanding he had been frequently advised and admo-
nished upon the subject by his Commanding Officer, Major
Glegg ; the same being highly disgraceful and indecorous, and
obnoxious to the famines of the married Officers stationed in
the Barracks, and in breach of the Artieles.of War.
" sth. For uttering a base and deliberate falsehood to Colonel
Napier, the Commandant of Cape Town, op or about 27th
August, 1823, stating that he had dined the preceding day
with Lieutenant Blythe, Stith Regiment, at Wynberg, when,
in fact, he had dined that day at a public house called the
flalf-Way-House, in company with Mrs. Smith, the wife or
reputed wife of Nathaniel Joseph i,mith, then an inhabitant
of Cape Town ; at •which dinner Lieutenant Blythe was not
resent;- the same heing degrading to the character of an
Officer and a Gentleman, and in .breach of the 'Articles of
Vt

• • Upon which Charges the Court came to the following deci-
sion

The Court having maturely and deliberately weighed and
considered the evidence against the prisoner, as to its bearing
and nature, and the exculpatory statements and defmce of the
prisoner, with the arguments he has used to disqualify the prin-
:cipal evidenceC against him, and the claim he has made_ that the
Court reject the document containing the admission of his guilt,
are of opinion, on the first, second, and third charges, that the
prisoner is Guilty.
" With regard to the fourth charge, the Court are of opinion
that the prisoner is guilty of that part of it which accuses him
of living publicly in his quarters with INlrs. Smith ; but there
is a.want of proof as to the length of time she lived with him ;
nor is it proved that this was, obnoxious to the family of more
than one married Officer. •_ ,

"And with regard to the,fifth Charge, the Court are of opi-
nion that the prisoner is guilty of telling a falsehood to Colonel
Napier.
The Court, therefore, having found the prisoner guilty of
the fourth and fifth Charges, do sentence him, the said Lieu-
tenantthe whole of the first,.
IVilliam Octavios Atkinson, 49th Regiment, to be second, and third Charges, and part of
dis-
missed the Service, and to bedeclared unworthy to serve -his
Majesty in any military capacity whatever.
" The Court feel themselves called upon to observe on the
apparent implication of Ensign Brown in the conspiracy, and,
as far as they are able, are desirous to extenuate' his conduct.
It appears to them, that- he has unwarily been involved, by
Lieutenant Atkinson, with the view of attaching greater cre-
,lihility to the statement of tile witness Smith ; and that he
was kept ignorant of tire principle which actuated the con-
spiracy."
In consideration of all the circumstances attending.this case,
his Majestyl has been pleased-to approve and confirm the find-
ing of guilty, pronounced by the Court upon the first three
Charges preferred against Lieut. Atkinson,. and to command
that he shall be dismissed his Majesty's service, &c. Bc.c.

C 1 . THOLIC . F
4 - rAlEts.-The Deputation of Irish
Catholics, which has been now in town since Fridai was
arin:icile 3Depniutao
increased by the arrival of Lord Killeen, son of Lord ifigal,
tfiotl,..owrdai.tedGoormn ttoigi;cisonßuSrucinedttayonnsiournndinagy..--
'1 he best unders'tanding prevails between the Members of the
Irish and-British Catli3lie Associations. A General DI eeting
day it is proposed t.?.
of
.the Catholics is to take place on Friday.next, and on Satur-
tlemen who compose the Deputation, a complitnentary dinner.
Several of the most distinguished Parliamentary friends of Ca,
tholic Emancipation are to be invited. It was at first intended
but in conse-
that the hover should be professedly Catholic ;
give Mr. O'Connell, and' the other Gen-
persons, who do not answer that description,.
quenee.of the number of applications which have come from
the promoters of
the dinner have resolVed to call it a dinner given by the Friends
of IrJand. The Petiticin of the British Catholics against the
Billfor suppressing
night.. the Irish -Association was presented last