The Sun.
London, England, 1849-02-28 00:00:00

JAMAICA.

Mr. HAWES, in answer to a question from an Hon.
Member, said that he had no objection to lay on the table
of the House the papers relative to some proceedings
that had taken place in Jamaica relative to some mis-
take in respect to a Bill that had passed the Legislature
there.

Mr. BAILLIE trusted the papers would not be cur-
tailed in any way.—(Cries of " Order, order.") Oh, he
would put a question, then, and he would ask whether it
was likely that these papers, and those relating to Cey-
lon, would be mutilated, as former colonial documents
bad been ?—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. HAWES—Sir, the question put by the Hon.
Gentleman is a most unusual one, and it is calculated to
excite a prejudice, which, however, I am happy to have
this public opportunity of distinctly and entirely re-
moving.—(Hear.) It has been stated more than once
by parties whom the Hon. Gentleman knows well, that
instances have occurred that dispatches have been cur-
tailed by my Noble Friend at the head of the Colonial-
office for purposes of his own.—(Hear, hear.) It
is utterly unfounded. It is altogether unfounded
that there has been anything of the kind.—(Hear,
hear.) It will be remembered that these dispatches
were moved for by Lord George Bentinck in a former
session, and an explanation was given by me at the
time that these dispatches related entirely to appre-
hended disturbances in Jamaica, in consequence of some
exciting language used by several disappointed monopo-
lists at the passing of the Sugar Bill through this House.
That language was to the effect that the parties there
were disposed to transfer their allegiance to the United
States of America, which had excited considerable dis-
approbation, and some disturbances were apprehended
amongst the negro population of the island.
Now, these dispatches contained particular charges
and referred to particular individuals by name;
but it was found that these charges, which
related to certain individuals in the island, were untrue,
and the names were struck out of the dispatches, a course
which I think was quite right to adopt; and it is a course
which I approve of, and which I have determined
to take again, if there be any necessity for it. But I tell
the House this, that when the Committee which the
Honourable Gentleman has moved for sits, there
will not be the smallest objection to place before the
Committee the whole of the dispatches relating to the
Ceylon affairs; but they cannot be laid before the House
or the public, as they relate to individuals,
and the private character of particular parties,
and any Minister, in my opinion, would be unfit to
continue in his office who would consent to the publi-
cation of matters'calculated to reflect unjustly upon the
character of private individuals.—(Hear, and cheers.)
Mr. BAILLIE—WiII the dispatches be laid before the
House?

Mr, HAWES—Certainly not.
Mr. B. OSBORNE—But they will be laid before the
Committee.

Mr. HAWES—Certainly. I have not the least objec-
tion to lay them before the Committee, but certainly not
before the public or the House.
Mr. BAILLIE—They ought to be laid before the
House.
Mr. HAWES—Let the Hon. Gentleman move for
their production, and take the sense of the House upon
them.—(Hear.)
Mr. HUME—But the dispatches relate to the colonies
generally.—(No, no.)
The matter then dropped.
CALIFORNIA.
Mr. WYLD, seeing the Noble Lord the Secretary for
Foreign Affairs in his place, wished to ask him whe-
ther it was the intention of Government to appoint a
consul at San Francisco or in any other part of Cali-
fornia?—(Laughter.)
Lord PALMERSTON said the question which was
now addressed to him had frequently been put to him in
private, by parties whom he presumed had some interest
in asking the question—(Laughter)—but he had no
intention at present in appointing a consul.—(Hear,
hear, and laughter.) He thought the Hon. Gentleman
and the House would see that there were great obstacles
to the appointment of such a functionary now.—(Hear,
hear, and laughter.) At present there was no form or
government established in California to whom a consul
could communicate.—(Hear and laughter.)
CATTLE AND SHEEP (IRELAND).
Mr. BOURKE gave notice that on Tuesday, the 13th
of March, he would move for leave to bring in a Bill for
the preservation of cattle and sheep, and for the more
speedy detection of cattle and sheep stealing in Ireland.
WINDING-UP OF RAILWAY COMPANIES.
Mr. SANDERS wished to know whether it was
the intention of the Government to bring forward any
measures this session for facilitating the winding-up of
embarrassed railway companies?
Mr. LABOUCHERE said an Act was passed
last session to facilitate the object to which the
Hon. Gentleman had adverted, and if the Act appeared
to require any amendment, he should be ready to con-
sider any suggestions that might be made with chat view,
and, if necessary, to propose another measure to the
.House on the subject.
Mr. SANDERS—But the Act applies only to joint.
stock companies.—(Hear.)___