The Sun. — 1865-03-25 (London, England)

ILLEGAL DETENTION IN A LUNATIC ASYLUM.  The Earl of MALMESBURY called the attention of the house to the illegal detention of the late Mr. Docknall in a lunatic asylum at Sedgefield, and moved that all the documents in reference thereto in the possession of the Home Office should be produced. From inquiries he had made, he could vouch for the accuracy of the brief narrative he would submit to the house. It appeared that in 1863 the late Mr. Docknall, a respectable bookseller, who had formerly been a clerk for 17 years in her Majesty's service, opened a shop in Chester-le-street, Durham, and was for some time engaged there in business. Through what he understood was a conspiracy between the wife of the deceased and a gentleman, Col. Johnson, the deceased was taken to a lunatic asylum at Sedgefield. Only one medical man's certificate was obtained, while the law required two, and it was stated that Col. Johnson had not examined the deceased. After five days detention the deceased was discharged, it being proved that he was not insane. He was advised to bring an action against Colonel Johnstone, and laid damages at £5,000. Owing to the pressure of business before the court, he was unable to have his case heard, and ho applied in vain for redress to the Home Office. These circumstances operated on the mind of the deceased to such an extent that he committed suicide by taking prussic acid last October. The noble lord then read a correspondence between the father of the deceased and the Homeoffice, as well as affidavits in support of his statement, and said that the conduct of Col. Johnson was most reprehensible, for he had committed a most illegal act while in the discharge of his official duties. His lordship proceeded to state that the deceased had been'treated with great cruelty, having been taken away from his home forcibly while he was at dinner. It appeared also that Col. Johnson had offered £BO as compensation to the deceased, thereby admitting that he had been guilty of an illegal act. He thought he had made out a case for inquiry into this matter, assuming that Col. Johnson was not reprimanded for his conduct.  Earl GRANVILLE contended that tho Home-office had not acted improperly in the matter, and was understood to say that the documents in question would be produced.  The Earl of SHAFTESBURY contended that the subject should be rigidly inquired into, for here was a case in which a magistrate had stated what was false, and acted in violation of the statute law by affirming that he had made an inspection of the deceased. The Earl of DERBY agreed with the noble lord (Shaftesbury), and he could not see why the Home-office had abstained from an inquiry into the subject. Earl RUSSELL said he did not know whether Colonel Johnson. had been communicated with, but ho thought the facts should be laid before the Lord Chancellor.  After a few words from Lord MALMESBURY and the LORD CHANCELLOR the motion was agreed to. The Felony and Misdemeanor Evidence and Practice Bill, the Consolidated Fund (£175,650) Bill, the Elections Petitions Act (1848) Amendment Bill, and the Dublin International Exhibition (1865) Bill were read a third time and passed.  Other bills were advanced a stage, and their lordships adjourned.