Star.
London, England, 1816-06-07 00:00:00

THE MAURITIUS.

Mr. EROUGHAM presented a Petition fiom a
person sent trout the Isle of France by the Governor
to this country, and since his arrival desired or per
mined to return. His name was Piton or Perron.—
, He complained of ill usage and long confinement.
Mr. Brougham said he had no particular knowledge
of him, and he believed he might have suppressed'
some particulars in his representation as to the con-
' duct of the Gavel uor ; yet the matter appeared to
requ:re some explanation. He wished to learn from
the Noble Lod, what circumstances occurred which
justified the sending away persons from the Island
without bringing titin to trial ? lie had heard that
some accusations had been made against persons for
proceedings against the enforcement of the measures
adopted to destroy the Slave Trade.
The'Petition was brought up and read.
Mr. GOL'LBURN observed, that a long period
elapsed without any official corresitesdmce trim the
Isle of Fiance. The iacorniatbn that had been re-
ceived prir,cipaily related to other circumstances.—
The regulations established by Government in the
Isle of *rance were chiefly in consequence if a
dis-
position there to carry can and encourage the Slave
Trade, which was owing to its having been a French
Island. A Frenchman came there, and erdeavonred
to excite an opposition to the British Government.--
It appeared that, respecting M. Piron or Perron, the
Governor took legal advice, and then the nght it best
to rend two individuals on board the King's ships,
and send them here. Government had not received
all the details. The attempt et insurrection was
quelled, and the chief leader had fled to Madagascar.
M. Pe;ron had wished to be put in a situation to take
his trial. Captain Mackay had shewn that his treat-
ment on board ship was not what it was represented
to have been.

Mr. BARING objected to the mode pursued with
respect to this individual. When he arrived here, it
appeared that there was no ground of charge to esta-
blish any legal process against him, and he was
allowed to sail back again. This mode could answer
no good purpose whatever. These conquered Colo-
nies were ir a peculiar situation since our acquisition
of them. So in Trinidad, Ceylon, and the lonian
Isles, he knew of no regular Government or Consti-
tution ; nothing appearing but the will of the Go-
vernors. That should not be the case ; and he hoped
the House would take up the subject early next Ses.
sion. He would not say what sort of legislation
might be the best; but on former occasions we had
acted differently. The case of this individual was a
strong one. He might bring his action against the
Governor, who seemed to have stated no reason for
his condoct but his own fiat. It was necessary that
there should be sorhe sort of government or constitu-
tion established.

Sir SAMUEL ROMILLY.—It appeared most
unjust that a British subject, as this man was since
we had the island, should be seat herein this manner,
to a ccuntry where he-had no interests, and with
whose language and-laws he was unacquainted, be.
cause lie had been connected with some illegal pro-
ceedings. Were there, then, no laws in the Island
of France ? He was sent, not to the Cape of Good
Hope, but to England ; and when here, there was
no sufficient charge against him. The Secretary of
State mere.y answered his memorial by telling him
he might go back. Whatever examinations might
have been made at the island, no serious charge ap.
peared to have been made out against him. Was he
active in the insurrection ? It the House did not
inquire into this business, they would thew them
selves indifferent to individind protection and perso.
nal liberty. A man might thus be torn from his in-
terest and his family, and sent here without the
means of subsistence, except what he derived from
charity. He might certainly, indeed, bring his ac-
tion. Bat this seemed a very grave case. However
desirable it was to suppress the Slave Trade, yet

'there appeared nothing tp justify so violist a Fo-
ci-. GOULBURN explained.
Mr. PONSONBY said, that if this person was
Concerned in measures of insurrection, he should have
been tried at the place.
Mr. BROUGHAM said, that whatever might
hare bean the offences of the individual, he put them
nut of the question ; for he ought, if chargeable, to
have been tried on the spot, and not have been pu-
nished in this way, by a close confinement of 159
days. which was a greater punishment than was in-
flicted hoe for various offences. He certainly highly
disapproved of the conduct of the Whites at the
Mauritius against the Black population : but, how-
ever he might be disposed to stigmatize their con-
Iduct, the Governor ought to chew strong reasons for
ltdopting a violent and illegal proceeding. He
wished to know, whether the situation of these ac-
quired Colonies was such, that individuals might be
sent away to england, confined in vessels, and then
sent back because there were no sufficient charges
against them ?
Some further observations passed between Mr.
Gomnontr, Mr. BROUGHAM. and Sir S. ROMILLY.
Mr. ABERCROMBY thought the case of consi-
derable importance. Had the state of the Colony
been such as to justify an illegal measure, and not to
act according to law in the Colony ?.

Mr. BRAND thought that no SAtidactory reasons
had been furnished.. Some inquiry should he mule,
to give the Governor an opportunity of justifying
himself.

Mr. COULBURN adverted to the great diStance
of the Island.
After a few words from Mr. PONSONBY and Mr.
Ilimmrs, the Petition was ordered to lie on the table.

Sir S. ROM I LLY gave notice of a motion for the
dispatches of the Governor of the Mauritius on this
subject.
Accounts of persons confined in the Bedford House
of Correction for the last three years were ordered.
Sir J. NEWPORT suggested, that the Irish Law
Courts' Reports should be presented early next Ses-
sion ; in which Mr. L. FOSTZR concurred.

Lord G. CAVENDISH presented a Petition from
Framework-knitters at Derby.
General FERGUSSON adverted to the mode of
collecting the. Property Taz in Scotland, and hoped
proper reductions would be allowed.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
explained.
Mr. G RENFELL intimated his intention to move
for certain Papers relative to the affairs of the Bank,
and in particular respecting the arrangement as to
stamps.
Mr. BROUGHAM asked when the Papers re.
specting the seizure of the Ann ordnance transport
would be produced
Mr. LUSH INGTON said they had been ordered
two or three weeks ago.
The Report of the Saving Banks Bill was ordered
for to morrow.