MR. WILLIAMSwished to put a question to the Secretary of the Admiralty. A short time since a private of Marines had been tried by court-martial for using improper language, and afterwards threatening his sergeant; he was found guilty, 490 and sentenced to death by being hanged at the yard-arm of one of Her Majesty's ships. The question he wished to ask the hon. Gentleman (Mr. Ward) was, whether this sentence had been under the consideration of the Board of Admiralty; and whether that Board had ordered, or intended to order, the sentence to be carried into effect?
§ MR. WARDsaid, that the sentence had been brought under the consideration of the Board of Admiralty; and their Lordships had felt justified under the circumstances in recommending a commutation of the sentence to transportation, which had taken place.
MR. WILLIAMSbegged to ask the hon. Gentleman another question. In the course of last Session, he (Mr. Williams) brought under the consideration of the House the naval articles of war, which he considered were of a most cruel and inhuman character; when the hon. Gentleman stated that they were under the consideration of the Board of Admiralty. He wished to know whether those articles had been considered by the board, and whether it was intended to make any alteration in them?
§ MR. WARDreplied, that the naval articles of war had been under the consideration of the Admiralty Board; but he feared he was not authorized to inform his hon. Friend that any alteration of those articles was contemplated.