§ Mr. Lushingtonrose to present a petition from three gallant officers of the navy, complaining of the foul aspersions cast upon their characters in the petition presented some days ago from captain Hanchett. These officers, captain Knight, lieut. Neame, and lieut. Dombrain, felt they had reason to complain that the House should be made the channel of the most scandalous calumny, without any opportunity having been afforded to them for their vindication, and which finding its way into the papers, left an impression on the public mind, which the most absolute denial and complete refutation might not be able afterwards wholly to remove. Mr. Lushington felt also that he had reason to complain of this as matter affecting the privileges of the House. When he read in the papers the morning after the discussion relative to captain Hanchett, the report of what had passed, he found much that had been said omitted, and much that he had stated grossly misrepresented. In "The Times" newspaper particularly, these errors prevailed, and there was even a comment in that paper, so gross and false, that he should have felt justified in moving that the editor should be brought to the bar, for the insertion of a paragraph, which he believed had proceeded from the most corrupt and polluted source. Whenever there was a discussion affecting the characters of persons, either in or out of that House, it was the special duty of those by whose means the public was daily gratified with an account of what passed in the House, to take care that they adhered as strictly as possible to the truth. He hoped this would be a sufficient warning to the reporters in future to be more accurate; and he would now, with the leave of the House, read the petition. Mr. Lushington then read the petition, which was: in substance what he had stated. He then desired to ask the hon. member (Mr. Bennet) now that he had had sufficient time to read all the papers, and make himself better master of the facts of the case, what he meant to do?
§ Mr. Bennetrose, he said, for the purpose of assuring the House that he had given the utmost attention, to the papers, and he was desirous of knowing whether 861 the hon. secretary could communicate to him the paper of calculation referred to in the depositions of lieut. Dombrain and his father, as the paper written by captain Hanchett himself, and containing the calculation of the sum to be paid to him. There were also a few other papers which he should like to see before he made up his mind as to the course fit to be pursued; and he should then be prepared on Monday to state his opinion more fully. As to the calumnies of which the petitioners complained, he was no party to them; for he had waved the right which he considered that he possessed, of having the petition of captain Hanchett printed, and in respect to the paragraph of which the hon. member complained, as proceeding from a corrupt and polluted source, he could assure him he had no participation in, and had never seen it. He had felt it his duty as a member of parliament, to present the petition of an officer complaining of harsh treatment, and he had since taken every pains to ascertain the truth; but his opinion upon capt. Hanchett's part of the case would depend upon the production of the calculation of the 6,000l. said to be given by him and in his hand-writing.
§ Mr. Lushingtonsaid, he had no difficulty in complying with the hon. member's wishes for any paper he might desire to have; all possible alacrity should be used in furnishing them. He wished first to remind the hon. member of his declaration on a former night, that captain Hanchett had explicitly authorised him to "declare, upon his word of honour, as an officer and a gentleman, that there was not one word of truth in the story about 6,000l."—Sir (said Mr. Lushington), this denial is so profligate and so wicked, that I am sure the House, and even the hon. member himself will share in my feelings of disgust and indignation, when I produce to them the very paper written by this officer himself, and containing his corrupt proposition. The following is the paper in his hand-writing:—
Aged 38.—100l. per annum, 1,354l. 16s.; 500l. gives 6,774l. 0s. 0d.; Interest on 6,774l. 0s. 0d. at 3½ per cent, is 237l. 1s. 9¼d.After the perusal of this paper, of the clear and consistent depositions of lieut. 862 Dombrain and his father, and of his own confession in writing, there could not be the shadow of a doubt remaining in any mind of the shocking prostitution of honour and character which this transaction and the denial of it involved. He called, therefore, upon the hon. member, whose situation in being the channel of making; such a communication to the House he really felt for, to come forward in a fair; and manly way to express his indignant feelings at having been the dupe of such hypocrisy and falsehood. Mr. Lushington thought it right in justice to lieut. Dombrain to remove an impression which, from the report of the last discussion, might possibly be entertained, that it was owing only to Mr. Lushington himself; that this corrupt transaction was not consummated. He begged to assure the House, that from the beginning to the end of the transaction, lieut. Dombrain had shown the most correct feeling of his duty. There was only one point more which he would then notice, and that was the impudent assertion made by capt. Hanchett about his giving up many thousands a year. This was also mentioned as matter of honour to captain Hanchett by the member for Shrewsbury and the editor of "The Times" news-paper. Mr. Lushington had no doubt, the hon. member had now arrived at more correct conclusions, for in fact there was no part of capt. Hanchett's conduct more illustrative of his hypocrisy. The public records which the hon. member had now had an opportunity of reading, showed that he had never given up one farthing which he could by any art or contrivance retain that at this very moment he had public money in his hands, of which he would render no account; and it had incidentally appeared from the inquiries which his misconduct has rendered necessary, that it was no unusual practice with him to make changes upon the public under the solemn declaration of his readiness to make oath to the truth of the account, and then to put the money into his own pocket. Mr. Lushington again repeated, that he had nothing to apologise to the House for, but the lenity with which this officer had, through his means chiefly, been treated; and even up to the last week of his service he had acted in the same spirit towards him; for when his noble friend at the head of the government came to the knowledge of the corruption of this officer, and directed his 863 immediate dismissal, Mr. Lushington still pleaded that he might be allowed to resign, in order to spare him from the bitter feelings of such an exposure, and to save the honourable profession to which he belonged from such a disgrace.
Annual allowance £. 500 0 0 Deduct interest 237 1 9¼ £. 262 18 2¼ over."
§ Mr. Bennetsaid, that he felt it his duty, after the evidence which he had read, and the document now produced under the declaration of the hon. member, that it was the hand-writing of captain Hanchett, to declare his concurrence in the observations of the hon. secretary, and his full conviction that the government had no choice but to dismiss an officer so un-worthy to be employed in their service. As far, therefore, as captain Hanchett was concerned, he had nothing to say. In respect to capt. Knight, lieut. Neame, and lieut. Dombrain, he must also add, that their explanations were satisfactory. The remaining points which concerned the hon. secretary's alleged use of his patronage, for the purpose of furthering his local interests at Canterbury, required more explanation than had been given, and he should wish for information upon one or two points.
§ Mr. Lushingtonsaid, he had no difficulty in giving a complete answer upon this point; at least he was sure it would be an answer to the House of Commons, although it might not be quite so satisfactory to his worthy friends at Canterbury. Upon a comparison of the number of persons connected with Canterbury, and recommended by Mr. L. for places in the preventive service, with those which Mr. Lushington had recommended because they were friends of captain Hanchett, and as such proposed by him to his noble friend, he found that he had recommended two of captain Hanchett's, for one Canterbury person. He therefore begged to assure the House, the hon. member, and his worthy friends at Canterbury, that he would take care not to be so duped again. This, however, would be satisfactory evidence to the House, that he had shown no grasping disposition for power or patronage, and that he had nothing for which he desired to be excused, but his lenity and kindness to this unworthy officer.
§ Ordered to lie on the table.