| Collection | Correspondence of William IV |
| Description | Sending, enclosed, a letter to Viscount Althorp who, as the King understood, might be leaving London soon. He confirms to have read Lord Grey's letter and his annotation to the Duke of Wellington's Memorandum. Sir Herbert reports the King's thoughts and account of different forms of punishment in the Army as can be seen in different countries where flogging has been abolished - France, Germany, Switzerland, United States, Prussia; he dwells in particular on the United States' punishment of gross insubordination which is the imprisonment, in very strict conditions, in the prisons of Sing Sing or Auburn. These cases, the King believes, demonstrate that where flogging does not exist anymore other forms of punishment or even torture have taken its place. The King partly disagrees with the Duke of Wellington's Memorandum. The Regulation or Order which were produced after a detailed inquiry into the Army's discipline should have been published, as it presents a better solution to the problem.
The King suggests that the question should be brought to the attention of the best military authorities who should deliberate on how to regulate the power of the Court Martials with respect to corporal punishment. The King further indicates the Board which is at present deliberating the revision of the System of Field Movement and Exercise of the Army as a competent body to be in charge of the issue, especially if acting with the advice of Lord Hill, the Duke of Wellington, the Secretary of War, and the Judge Advocate General. He remarks on the importance of carrying out the punishment once it has been awarded by the Court Martial and of not further reducing the maximum number of lashes that can be given.
The last suggestion of The King is to establish a 'punishable class' to which the offender is transferred by the Court Martial; he would,then, become liable for corporal punishment. |