The case of Colonel Dickson v. Lord Combermere and Lord
Wilton at length came to a conclusion in the Court of Queen's Bench on Saturday. The Lord Chief Justice, in summing up, warned the jury against being led to regard the case as an appeal by Colonel Dickson against unjust decisions of other courts. The plain issue before them was whether or no the defendants had conspired to remove the plaintiff from the service, or had knowingly brought false charges against him. Even if it were proved that Colonel Dickson had been harshly treated, it must also be proved that Lord Wilton had brought his expulsion about by false and malicious charges, in order to fix the responsibility upon him. Colonel Dickson had originally approved of a regimental board as the tribunal to investigate the questions between himself and Captain Dixon, and if the jury thought that inquiry had exposed any neglect of duty on the part of Colonel Dickson in administering the finances of the regiment, then they must decide that there was reasonable ground for Lord Wilton to submit the charges in question to Lord Combermere, and through him to General Peel. The jury had no hesitation in deciding the issue thus narrowed, and immediately returned into court with a verdict for the defendants.
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