§ Mr. Crokerobserved, that in the course of the debate last night, the case of captain Tomlinson had been alluded to, and at that time he was not prepared with the necessary information to exculpate this meritorious officer. It was stated, that he had not been honourably acquitted of the charge made against him; but by papers, for which he should take the liberty of now moving, the contrary would evidently appear to be the fact. He submitted the subject to the House in the first instance, thinking that not a moment should be lost, in removing an undeserved stigma from the character of captain Tomlinson. He therefore moved, "That there be laid before the House a Copy of a Letter from the Solicitor of the Navy, reporting the result of the trial of Benjamin Tanner and Nicholas Tomlinson, at the Old Bailey, on the 21st of July 1810."
Mr. Abercrombywished, that his hon. and learned friend (Mr. Brougham) who had made the statement complained of, had been present, that if it were necessary he might explain any thing objectionable in what he had urged, for he was sure there was no man to whom it would give greater pain to do injustice to the character of a gallant officer.
§ Mr. Crokerwould have waited until he should have seen the hon. and learned gentleman in his place, but the fact was, that the production of this document would rather strengthen than weaken the side of the argument which that hon. and learned gentleman had espoused.
§ The motion was then agreed to.