I sympathise sincerely with you Madam in the very painful circumstance which has attended your son. But it is not in my power now to accept his resignation. All I can do is to accelerate the sitting of a Court Martial, so that there may be an issue to the affair. The absence of a Witness has hitherto delay; but as it does not appear proper to postpone the Trial indefinitely on this account, I have given directions that the trial be brought on without that witness, if his situation continues to obstruct his attendance

With g—