 Erskine then argued that if Sandwich was not responsible for the actions of the hospital 's officers , he should respond by denying responsibility for them and restoring Baillie to his office ; if he did not , he would be " a shameless oppressor , a disgrace to his rank , and a traitor to his trust " . Were the situation in the hospital allowed to continue , the Royal Navy would be " crippled by abuses " , with seamen no longer willing to risk their lives for a fleet that would fail to reward them with good treatment in retirement . Baillie , who had merely tried to prevent this from happening , deserved " a palace , instead of a prison " ; Erskine then left Baillie in the hands of the judges , and the case was dismissed with costs . 
