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- pressions in several of his writings) could be served by 10 Rixdollars, and in this way, both Maillard and the court martial ought to learn what is necessary for the enforcement of order and discipline. On the other hand, however, one must here cause the gradual elimination of ingrown prejudice, and since during the interrogation and in his writings, Maillard by sufficiently pronounced and impertinent effusions seeks to gain a crown of martyrdom for the noble cause he champions, I believe he is better twarted in his wishes and expectations if the inconsequential judgment he received were to be carried out than if he should have experienced worse consequences of his condition, which possibly might awaken an interest in him, which could again resurrect the sentiments that it is desirable to extinguish. Besides, the case is now mute and many, who felt that Maillard might after all have some rights in his rejection of colored freedmen, now, after more careful reflection find such behavior ridiculous, and the development of this effect upon the temperaments is capitol.
I should therefore most humbly consider is advisable that things remain as per the judgment of the completed court martial. That, however, not withstanding, I must consider it a beneficial circumstance for the service, and likewise a most high proof of grace for me if your Royal Majesty should agree with my point of view of the position and as regards the coloreds, agree that my past parole order is most graciously sanctioned by Your Royal Majesty and that the behavior, expressions, and opinions of Maillard are sharply disapproved of, and that he additionally warns him and the militia, either subject to a particular punishment, or in general terms, such as subject to loss of Your Majesty’s grace, to obey orders, including those regarding the treatment of freedmen.
This most high resolution should then be communicated to the white officers behind closed doors and will surely ease the burden of promoting a better feeling between the whites and coloreds. It would be particularly useful if the will of Your Majesty in this matter could be made known to me before the 28th of October, the high birthday of Her Majesty the Queen, as otherwise I must invent an expediency because I neither can nor ought to yield to so miserable an opinion as is manifested by some in the militia in this matter and since I also will not risk that the authority is compromised by first lieutenant Maillard, who, now that he knows or believes - |