From The War Department    28th. April 1856.

War Department | Pall Mall | 28^th. April 1856.

Sir

A letter with your signature¹ under date 26th Inst having appeared in today’s impression of ‘the Times’ newspaper relative to the proficiency displayed by the candidates for appointments to the artillery &c. at the examination conducted by you in the subjects of natural philosophical and chymistry in January last., I am directed by the Secretary of State for War² to acquaint you that however glad his Lordship may be to receive such favourable testimony to the attainments of the Candidates from a judge so competent as yourself, yet he is of opinion that an examiner appointed by his Lordship should not take such a step as to address himself to the public prints³ without in the first instance communicating with, and receiving the sanction of, the authorities of the War Department.

I have the honour to be | Sir | Your obedient servant | H. R. Drewry.

RI MS JT/2/7/310‒11