Court-Martial on the Honourable Captain Gordon. Illustration for The Pictorial Times, 5 September 1846.
JSTOR reference
The court martial of Captain John Gordon for disobeying his superior's orders. The court found him guilty and sentenced him to be severely reprimanded because he left Chile against orderes in an attempt to ensure the security of two million dollars. In the Time's assesment, Gordon's choice constituted the best plan to to carry the money safely to England.
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Court Martial on the Hon. Captain John Gordon of HMS America, on Board Her Majestys Ship Victory at Portsmouth. Read the ILN
NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE, COURT-MARTIAL ON THE HON. CAPTAIN GORDON. A Court Martial was held on Wednesday, on board her Majesty's ship Victory, at Portsmouth, for the trial of Captain the Hon. John Gordon, of her Majesty's ship America, on charges instituted by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, for leaving the South American station in that ship without permission, and contrary to the orders of the Commander.in-Chief, Rear-Admiral Sir G. Seymour, and also with bringing home a quantity of specie, which was intended, if of small amount, to have been shipped for England in the Salamander steamer; and, if of large amount, in her Majesty's ship Daphne. The Court was composed of Admiral Sir Charles Ogle, Bart., Commander in Chief of her Majesty's ships and vessels at Portsmouth, President; Rear-Admiral Hyde Parker, C.B.; Captain John Pasco, her Majesty’s ship Victory, Captain H. D. Chads, C. B., her Majesty's ship Excellent; Captain Sir H. E. Home, Bart, and C.B., her Majesty's ship North Star; Captain Jon Robb, her Majesty's steamship Gladiator. Mr. G. L. Greetham was Judge Advocate on the occasion. Captain Gordon was assisted in his defence by Mr. Hoskins, solicitor. Evidence having been adduced in support of the charges, Mr. Hoskins read a very good address on the part of Captain Gordon, by which he endeavoured to satisfy the Court that l pecuniary motives did not induce Captain Gordon to take charge of the treasure, lor he had since directed his agents to pay the freight money over to Captain Onslow, of the Daphne, or Commander Hammond, of the Salamander, or any other officer who might be entitled to it by bringing it to England, had not the America done so. Captain Gordon produced a number of letters from consuls and merchants at the various ports, representing the stain of affairs between the Mexicans and the Brazilian Government, the large sums of money to be sent, the risk of Its safety, and the great insurance which would be exacted If it went in a small vessel. The address concluded by asking for an acquittal of Captain Gordon of blame on the occasion, and to Impute his conduct to an error in judgment. The Court was cleared several times while the members deliberated; and, on the public being readmitted, the Deputy Judge Advocate reed the sentence, which stated that the Court were of opinion the charges of neglect of duty and disobedience of orders by Captain the Honourable John Gordon, of her Majesty's ship America, had been fully proved, and sentenced him to be severely reprimanded, and he was thereupon reprimanded accordingly. The President then declared the Court to be dissolved, and all persona soon left the Victory. The circumstances attending this Court-Martial having occasioned considerable Interest among naval men, the Victory was crowded with ladies and gentlemen anxious to witness the trial, which occupied five hours. Captain Gordon is the brother of the Earl of Aberdeen. Saturday, Publication: The Illustrated London News (London, England). Aug. 29, 1846.