XXXV I thank God, that a mind conscious of innocence and of rectitude supported me; and my firmness never forsook me one moment. My anxious desire was to obtain a full and fair investigation of my conduct; to lay open to public view every act of my life, during the command, of which I had been deprived. I considered this as the most proper answer for me to make to the numerous falsehoods propagated by concealed calumniators-I felt it as the mode of redress most becoming a gentleman, and a soldier-a man who values life less than honour.-I judged it the most consolatory and satisfactory duty, which it was in my power to discharge to my friends, and which I was more especially and imperiously called upon to perform, in gratitude, and in justice to your Lordship, to whose opinion and predilection for me, any imputation suffered to remain upon my character unrefuted, might appear to be a reproach. It is this consideration which suggested to me the propriety of addressing to your Lordship the following pages; you will there read the history of my exertions to attain the object of my most earnest wishes. These exertions hitherto, whether deservedly or not, have been unsuccessful; and while matters continue in their present situation, being precluded from proof, and from legal means of justification, all that is left within my power is, to assert my innocence, and this I do, with the most solemn appeal to heaven for the truth of my asseveration. In the mean time, should the unthinking, malignant, or prejudiced part of the public, be disposed to hold calumny as evidence of guilt, and to pass sentence of condemnation upon me without Trial or Defence; I have the satisfaction of knowing, that I shall find a more equitable tribunal in all candid and honest minds, which, like your Lordship's, are superior to prejudice, and capable of estimating the real difference, and immense distance, between ACCUSATION and CONVICTION. I have the honour to be, with great truth, and with affectionate respect, My Lord, Your Lordship's Most faithful And obliged humble Servant, A. COCHRANE JOHNSTONE, Harley-Street, August 13, 1804, 7 CORRESPONDENCE, &c. From The Hon. Colonel Cochrane Johnstone, 2, Holles-Street, Cavendish-Square, September 7, 1803. Upon the knowledge of the commencement of hostilities between our country and France, I was detained a close prisoner in Fort Richepance, Guadaloupe, for the space of fourteen days; and after much discussion, it was at last decided that I should be allowed to hire a neutral vessel to depart, of which I availed myself, and arrived at Montserrat, where I embarked on board the Prince Ernest Packet, for this country. It is with great concern I find that many reports, prejudicial to my character, have been, with much industry, propagated concerning my conduct during the time I had the honour to command at Dominica. The justice and impartiality of his Royal Highness the Commander in Chief, will, I am confident, not suffer such reports, equally false, as they are malicious, to make any unfavourable impression on his mind. I have not yet had an opportunity of vindicating myself.-No charge has been communicated from any official quarter. That I may be enabled to prove my innocence, I do most earnestly request, that you will prevail upon his Royal Highness to order all the supposed charges to be collected, and that I shall be ready at any time, and before any Court, to answer them. We may all err from want of judgment, but I think I may venture to say, that, during a period of twenty years constant service, I have never intentionally deviated from the strict line of my duty, as a Military Officer; and have always acted as a faithful servant to my King and Country. I have the honour to remain, With much respect, &c. (Signed) A. COCHRANE JOHNSTONE. From Colonel Clinton, Secretary to the Commander in Chief, To the Honourable Colonel Cochrane Johnstone. SIR, Horse-Guards, September 10, 1803. I have received the Commander in Chief's commands to transmit herewith, for your information, Copy of a Letter, written to you on the 1st. ultimo, and transmitted for furtherance to Lieutenant General Grinfield; and for the reasons therein stated, I am now to signify to you his Royal Highness's desire, that you will lose no time in bringing forward, in due form, your charges therein alluded to, against Major Gordon late of the 8th West-India Regiment. I have the honour to be, (Signed) W. H. CLINTON. (Copy Letter enclosed.) From Colonel Clinton, Secretary to the Commander in Chief, To the Honourable Colonel Cochrane Johnstone. SIR, Horse-Guards, August 1, 1803. I have received the Commander in Chief's commands to acquaint you, that in consequence of the very serious charges preferred for the information of his Royal Highness, in your letter to Major General Brownrigg, of the 20th of October last, against Major Gordon, of the late 8th West-India Regiment, the Commander in Chief has thought proper to resist the offers of service of that officer; and as he cannot be employed until said charges have been cleared up perfectly to the Commander in Chief's satisfaction, in justice to the service, and to Major Gordon, I am to signify to you, his Royal Highness's Commands, that you repair to England forthwith, in order that the matter in question may be brought to a termination. I have, &c. (Signed) W. H. CLINTON. From the Honourable Colonel Cochrane Johnstone, To Colonel Clinton, Secretary to the Commander in Chief. SIR, Hopetoun-House, September 20, 1803 I have had the honour of receiving your letter of the 10th of September, enclosing copy of your's of the 1st of August, in reply to the one which I had the honour of addressing to his Royal Highness the Com mander in Chief, on the 20th of October last year. . When I applied for a Court Martial upon Major Gordon, I presumed that the Court would be ordered to assemble in the West Indies, where we shen both were, and where alone, without great trouble, many of the witnesses and original documents could be produced. I do not think, either in jus |