§ On the second reading of this bill,
§ Sir Isaac Coffinexpressed a desire to assimilate the proceedings in courts-martial in the array to those in courts-martial in the navy. In the latter service the sentence was declared immediately, and in open court; in the former it was referred to the inspection and consideration of the commander-in-chief, and was not in some cases declared till six months after the sitting of the court-martial. He thought it neither consistent with law or justice that such a practice should be allowed to continue. No man entertained a higher 976 opinion of the present commander-in-chief than he did; and he did not wish to make the slightest insinuation against that exalted individual; but still he thought the present practice was most faulty, and such as ought to be instantly amended.
§ Lord Palmerstonsaid, that when the proper time arrived, he trusted he could adduce satisfactory reasons for the existence of the present practice in military courts martial.