Star.
London, England, 1824-05-22 00:00:00

NATIVES OF JAMAICA.

Dr. LUSHINGTON presented a Petition from two
individuals, natives of Jamaica, complaining of out-
rages committed on them by the Governor of Jamaica,
in subjecting them to arbitrary arrests, and afterwards
transporting them to St. Domingo--(Hestr, hear.) They
were there seized as dangerous aliens, and as appeared
from the Haytian Gazette, they were about to be seized
and dealt with severely ; but the authorities at Hayti
'having ascertained the proceedings in Jamaica, the
Pe-
titioners were released. In March they quitted for this

country, and they were now here. He (Dr. tushington)
had examined them, and cross-examined them ; and
he should never quit this subject till be had done all in
his power to shew that this country did not sanction '
such outrage—Weer, hear)...-The Petition. brought up. '
Mr. WILMOT-HORTON said, he was', not able to
meet the statement of his Hon. and Learned Friend, for
want of particular Information as to the several matters
contained in the Petition. All that he knew was, that
the Petitioners had been complained of by the Magis-
Magis-
trates of Kingston as being aliens, dangerouspersons
to the Government, and engaged in a treasonable con-
spiracy against it. It was true that the Duke of Man-
chester had put the Alien Act in force against diem. It
seemed to be equally true, as far as the scanty infor-
'nation he possessed enabled him to speak, that they had
applied for writs of habeas corpus, which had been
granted. But his Hon. and Learned Friend had ad-
mitted, that if these men were aliens, the magistracy
of Jamaica were empowered by law to remove them
from the island. The question then first seemed to be,
whether the petitioners were or were nat aliens, and
merely a legal point should be separated from that of
expediency. As to what had been stated of the pro-
ceedings in the Court of King's Bench, that, it would
be remembered, was merely an ex-parte proceedir.g,
and the affidavits upon which the decision of the Court
of King's Bench had been formed could not be re-
ceived as conclusive eviJence of the fact of the petitioners
being British-born subjects. He (Mr. Horton) was
ready to allow that if it should appear they were not
aliens, the Government of Jamaica had incurred a
most serious responsibility, and one in which it could
neither be countenanced nor excused—(Hear, hear).
But it was evident from the proceedings which had been
adopted that the Duke of Manchester thought they were
aliens. A Committee had been appointed to inquire
into the causes of the disturbances, and had reported
the petitioners, not only to be engaged in a treasonable
conspiracy, but also that they were intimately connected
with the slaves who had been tried for rebellion, and to
whom one of the petitioners had sold arms. These
were points which the House would agree with him re-
quired explanation. His Honourable and Learned
Friend had roused the feelings of the House by appeals
to the British Constitution, but he (Mr. Holton) begged
that the situation of die Doke of Manchester might be
recollected. There could be no doubt that a rebellion
had existed against the Government; and his Grace
was called upon to exercise every legal power that he
possessed, which might tend to the security of the colony
committed to his charge. It was his (Mr. Horton's)
most anxious wish that the fullest information should
be furnished by the Government abroad, and he as-
sured the House that every possibl,: step should be
taken to procure that info; oration, without which it was
obvious the House could not safely proceed with the
investigation of this affair. When the question as to
the petitioners being aliens should have been decided, it
would be time to discuss the expediency and policy of
the measures which the Government of Jamaica had
adopted, and which could only be understood when full
information should be furnished repecting the circum-
stances in which the colony was at that time placed. He
should not oppose the bringic:z up of the Petition.
Mr. BROUGH AM obs...rvccl, that the Registers of
Baptisms, &c. weie adduced ; teat the Bench
were satisfied ; and that in the teeth of such decision the
Duke of Manchester acted—(Wear).
Dr. LUSHINGTON oltservcd, that the single evi-
deuce about sellinc. MS was disbelieved, as he under-
stood.,
from the letter of the Rector there.—Petition or-
dered to be printed.

THP. NEW COURTS or LAW.

Mr. LITTLETON presented a Petition from Mr.
Soane, which complained that an undue responsibility
had been cast upr,tl him, respecting the design for the
new buildings in Palace-yard, and A Ign that the arrange-
ments which he had provide,' for those engaged in the
new Courts of Law, would be rendered in a great de-
gree nugatory, if the recommendation of the late Com-
mittee were carried into effect. Mr. Soave stated, that
by order of the Lot ds of the Treasury, he made a sur-
vey for the new buildings in Palace-yard, in the years
1820 and 1821, and sent in his plan to the Treasury
soon after. That it was then referred to the Judges of
the re.pective Courts, and alter some alterations adopted
in consequence of that reference, ultimately approved
of by the Lords of the Treasury, and ordered to be
carried into effect. Mr. Soane was therefore anxious,
for his own professional reputation, that it should be
known lie had gone on, step by step, under the sanction
of the Lords of the Treasury ; and with reference to
the recommendation of the late Committee, he had to
point out, that if that were carried into effect, and par-
ticularly in the erection of what was called " the Tudor
tower" at the corner, all the arrangements which he had
provided for a law library, for Barristers and Attornies,
as well as for the Judges themselves, would be im-
peded and rendered useless. The Petition described the
various ante-rooms, and the specious vestibule which
Mr. Soane had provided according to the present plan,
and urged the propriety of consulting business as well
as ornament in the struct are of tho,e buildings. The
Petition was read at length by the Clerk.
Mr. SCARLETT thought the present buildings should be taken
down. The old Court for the Duchy of Lancaster, with a few al-
terations, might .inmer all the purposes of the Civil Courts.
Mr. LIT f LETON said, had he been in the House at the time,
be should have opposed the appointment of a Committee.
Sir J. YOlt K E vindicated the conduct of Mr. Soane.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER admitted that
the Treasury must take their share of responsibility as to the new
Courts of Law. The Treasury had sanctioned Mr. Swine's plans.
Mr. DENMAN thought that fact ought to be generally known.
He had heard no one approve of the present buildings. What had
taken place in the present case was very inauspicious with regard
to the embellishment of Windsor Castle.

Mr. BRIGHT hoped, at allevent;,the Courts of Law would
be finished.

Sir J. YORKE trusted the buildings would not be taken down,
u the internal accommodation was generally approved of.
Mr. BA N KES defended the Report of the Committee.
After a few words from Lord J. &mut. and Mr. &man (of
Wilts), the Petition was read, and laid on the table.