A Court-martial was held on Wednesday and Thursday, at Devon-
port, to investigate charges against Lieutenant Edward Evans Gray, arising from the complaint of the French Government, that on the coast of Africa, in July 1842, he improperly boarded the French vessel Luiz d' Albuquerque, (a suspected slaver,) then sailing under French colours. The technical charges were—first, disobedience of orders ; second, neglect in not stopping the search; and third, neglect in permitting a cask of wine to be received into his vessel, the Bonetta, from the Luiz d' Albuquerque, without payment properly secured; and other minor irregularities. The defence was, that Mr. Gray only visited the ship, (which exactly resembled a Brazil slaving-vessel expected to be in the same quarter,) in order to ascertain whether the nationality indicated by the flag was tree, for appearances were very equivocal; and that the search was effected without his knowledge, under a misconception of his orders, and stopped as soon as he knew it ; with testimonials as to discipline on board the Bonetta. The Court decided that the first charge had been proved ; that the second charge was not proved ; and that the third charge was partly proved : sentencing Lieutenant Gray to be severely reprimanded, with a caution to be more particular in giving orders for the future.
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