General Sloper appointed a Court Martial on Burgoyne, with Sir John Dalling as President. The Madras Council at once claimed the right to appoint the Prosecutor, which being disallowed, they wrote complaints in their usual style to the Court of Directors. Another grievance with the Council was, that they were not given a copy of the Proceedings. Their desire apparently was to prosecute the quarrel through Lord Macartney in England. The wish of the Government in England, and of the Court of Directors, was to bury the unseemly quarrel as speedily as possible, and the Proceedings were withheld. A year and a half later, the Madras Government were still writing to the Governor General for a copy. The exact charges, of which there were nineteen, cannot now be ascertained, but they partially related to Sir John Burgoyne’s behaviour in September 1783, more than three months before the date of his arrest, and charged him with causing and exciting mutiny and sedition, and refusing to take command of the King’s troops. On the 11th July, after sitting for nineteen days, the Court came to the following resolutions—
1st.
That Major General Sir John Burgoyne did not refuse to take upon him the command of the King’s troops after Major General Stuart was put under an arrest; but that he declined superseding that Major General, so long as he viewed him especially appointed by the King, and he remained in the capacity of acting as such.
2nd.
That the line of conduct pursued by Major General Sir John Burgoyne on the 19th September and quitting camp the eve of that day, was productive of the happiest consequences.
3rd.
That in no instance whatsoever did Major General Sir John Burgoyne disobey any orders immediately proceeding from the Government.
4th.
That the equivocal situation of Lieut. General Lang, from his standing in both services,[16] and this Government having at present no charter rights to confer such high ranks, well warranted his Majesty’s general officers in witholding from him their obedience.
5th.