Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

PORTS MOUTH, January 6.

The court-martial lately held at Exeter, having presented his Excellency, the Commander in Chief with a copy of their proceedings, for approbation, his Excellency postponed acting thereon until he had laid them before the legislature, in order to collect the sense of both houses upon the subject, and act accordingly. Their proceedings were read before both houses on Wednesday last, with the following sentences.--Maj. Cochran, Capt. Cochran, and Lieut. Robinson, of the 1st regiment, broke--the Major recommended for a restoration. Capt. McKeen and Lieut. McClary, of the 8th regiment: Capt. Dow, Lieut. Clough and Ensign Cotton, of the 7th regiment, broke-- Col. Stone of the 20th regiment acquitted--Quarter Master Brown, of the 3d troop in the 1st regiment of light horse, reprimanded--Lieutenant Weare, of the same troop, broke--but recommended in strong terms for a restoration.

After the above were read before both houses, several warm debates occurred upon the illegality of trying civil offenders by law martial, conceiving it a great stretch of power, and a deviation from the true principles of the constitution. His Excellency reminded the Court, that he had called the court-martial agreeably to their vote, requesting him so to do. The Hon. Speaker was very much averse to the procedure of trying civil offences by law martial. A variety of observations were made upon the subject, after which it was determined to refer the whole proceedings to a committee of both houses, who were appointed accordingly, and now have the matter before them.