The Sun. — 1854-07-27 (London, England)

PRICE SD.  others which he is interested to misrepresent. Stich a charge should not have been breathed without proof, and the court would have expressed that opinion if it had a notion of what is due to justice. But the proceedings of this court throughout bore the complexion of the court-partial. The Mutiny Act, as interpreted, was everywhere standing between Lieutenant Perry and his object of complete disclosure of his provocations, and, on the other hand, screening Lieutenant Greer. We give a specimen : After some further questions the prisoner asked, while I was within your grasp, you being tho stronger man, did I not, in self-defence, strike you, as you have already stated? Witness—You did dot strike me in self-defence. Prisoner-IVhen you say that I did not strike you in self-defence, do you mean to assert that I was not attacked by you, and within your grasp at the moment I struck you? Witness—You were not within my grasp when you struck me. Calonel Garrett —You stated that you dragged prisoner back by the collar into your room ; did you do so in anger or otherwise? Witness—lt was not in anger. Col. Garrett said he merely wished to show the animus. The prisoner, whose justification is intolerable provocation, asks Lieut. Greer whether ho had not applied the most insufferable terrns.to him • he significantly enough refuses to answer, and the President puts it to Lieutenant Perry whether it is necessary to his defence to persist in putting such questions, they all being of the same character. To be sure they were all of the same character, as all proving the same system of provocation. And if the prisoner had killed his assailant instead of beating him, the circumstances upon which he laid only due stress would have taken the act out of the category of murder, and reduced it to justifiable homicide. We admire Colonel Garrett's inquiry of Lieutenant Greer, whether, when he dragged Mr. Perry back into hi* room by the collar, it was in anger, or otherwise. The leading question was, expected. It is possible,answered as was to be of indeed,coursethat Mr. Greer may have hliattuldelpeOlcMkert. ProeulrrYettaes- hota b ole, mu ledr ehl ya nads ea a udtiecnesiblo x for, opr ahisy and with a view only to getting back the money which, by the bye, he had taken good care not to pay him; but whether one gentleman drags another by the collar in anger or not, the one so dragged may be permitted to be angered thereby, and to knock down his insolent assailant with the first implement that comes to hand. The fact is that Colonel Garrett was as much concerned in this ,prosecution as Mr. Greer, for the defence of Mr. Perry necessarily went to prove facts incompatible with a proper state of discipline, and with the conduct which it is the duty of a commanding officer to maintain. Prisoner—Was it not found that cards could not be obtained, and did you not produce a roulette box ; and did I not say that I did not understand the game, but played, and afterwards won 100/. of you ? Witness—Yes.  Prisoner—Did I not then leave your room and go to my own ; and did you not follow me and drag me back again by the collar? Witness—Yes, I did. . .  Prisoner—Did we not play again, at your earnest solicitation, and was not I again tho winner Witness—Yes,  Prisoner—Did you not follow me to my room, and call me a "-- son of a —," and "a swindler?" Witness—With the Court's permission, I beg to decline answering. The President said—l will put it to the prisoner whether it is necessary to his defence to persist in putting such questions ; they are all of the same character. Prisoner—There were only Lieutenant Greer and myself present, and lam anxious to show the provocation. Can I hope to be examined on oath myself ? The President replied in the negative Prisoner—Does not the Court think that under the act of August, 1851, I could be examined on oath ? The President—Not unless power is given by the Mutiny Act.  Prisoner—l wish to show that I was most forbearing, and that the assault was struck in self-defence ; all my questions go to prove that.