it quite
impossible that Lieutenant Shipp should continue to do duty with the
87th regiment, he grants him leave of absence from it, and shall
recommend that he be removed to the half-pay list.

"The foregoing orders to be entered in the General Order-Book, and
read at the head of every regiment in his Majesty's service in
India.

"By order of his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief,
(Signed) "THOMAS M'MAHON,
(A true copy.) "_Colonel, Adjutant-General._"
"_J Bowes, Lieutenant and Adjutant,
87th Regiment._"

On the tenth day of the proceedings, Colonel Browne, being examined on
oath, is questioned by the court:--

_Question._--"How long have you known the prisoner, and what was
your opinion of his character previous to the misunderstanding
between you and him?"

_Answer._--"I have known the prisoner since the year 1816. He was in
the light company with me for a considerable time, and distinguished
himself highly at Hattrass. I always considered him, and indeed know
him to be, up to the present moment, one of the best officers in his
Majesty's service."[16]

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

FOOTNOTES:

[16] A summary of the court-martial proceedings (which in the original
covered 300 foolscap folios) is given in the first edition of Shipp's
"Memoirs," but omitted from the edition of which the present volume is a
reprint.--ED.

CHAPTER XXV.

When an officer has been tried by an honourable military tribunal,
composed of fifteen British officers, and the sentence of the
court-martial has been sanctioned and approved by a most merciful and
gracious sovereign, it were as fruitless, as it would be highly improper
and presumptuous, for the sentenced individual to urge anything further
in his defence. I, therefore, as a sincere admirer of my country's laws,
bow most humbly to my fate; I love my country as truly as ever I did,
and would as willingly as ever risk my life to support its laws and
freedom.

During the trial, which lasted thirteen days, I was exceedingly
harassed, and my feelings were worked up to a state bordering on frenzy.
There was a host against me, and I had not a soul to advise me how to
proceed. I stood alone and unaided, with a limited education, to rebut
the whole mass of evidence adduced against me.

The time necessarily occupied in sendi