West India Commission.
The Times, 1824-10-21T00:00:00

The Leeward Islaudsmn, which arrived on Tuesday, brought, we are concerned to find, the accoun t of the deat3 of Hfenry MIeddoek, Esq., one of the Commi ssioners of Legal In.q4uiry in the West Inadie5. This excellent man paitl the debt of nature at the island of St. Lucia oni the 29th of August last. We subjoin the foslowing extracts from the Trinidda Gazette of the 7th of July, atid the Barbadoes Gazete of the 4th of September, to show the sense there enterined of his merits:- (Fromn the Trinidad (GAzette.) PORT SPAIN, JULy 7. llis ;Miajetty's Commissioners of Inquiry, Mtessrs. iladdoek and Henry, having closed their labounr in tls island, took their departare in the dloop Collector, for St. Lucia, on Monday last. It has been a source of much pleasure to us te have witnessed the equity, persevermnce, and liberality, vith which these gentlemen have executed the business bf their mission; and it is with equal pleasure that we hope, without assuming an undue presumptior, particularlvwhen we firmly believe we are acting in concurrence wib, public opinion, we thus publicly express the sentimaents we only be. fore urivate'v entertaineA. They had, during their sojourn here, by the urbanity of their manners and their social qualities, contracted many friends arnongst the circle with whom they immediately astselated, and had acqtuired the universal respect and esteem of the inlualsitants. Ve believe the best wishes of the Trinidadians attend tbema; whilst we are also gratefuUy sensible of our most gracious Sovereign's censideratior for our welfare, in arpsinting men in evcry respect so well adapted -or the arduous duties allotted them. They proceed, we understand, from St. Lucia to Demeram. [From the Barbadoes Gazette. I Dieca, at St Lucir, on Sunday morning last, the 29th of tu gust., kenrv 1laddock, BJ$q., of Lincoln's-inn. barrister at law, and one of hiis Majesty's Commissioners of Legal Inquiry into tbe administration of criminal and civil justice in the West India colonies. This gentlemans, after visiting, in conjunction with his late co1- league Mr. Dwarris, (who bas returned to Europe). tihegreater pal i of the ll'est Indian settlements, proceeded from' Trinidad to lr, Lucia in the beginning of July lac to inquire into the state of justice in that island. There he unftrtuna ely fel a victim to the climate at a tilne when his labours were nearly terrminatd in that quarter, anid the Commission was preparing to depart tor this island. His unremitting attention to the laborious and arduous duties of his office, and his superior qualifications for thetash, will renderhis death a severe loss to the Cosmmission. Free from all prejudice on a subject which reqoired tbe most ab. stract views and considerations, he was enabled to proceed with a cautious and stwadv step in his inquirics; and the pecuniar urbanity of his manners in prosecuting ihose inquiries, not only sccured hbim from enemies, but obtaine'l hitn friends in even, colony which he visited; andi showed, that wherever there is a lispoSition on fhe part of those who are intrusted with the most delicate and painful paweys, to exercise them vith candour, liberality, and gentlemanly feelings, it will always be dulv appreciated. The loss to his colfeagues of such an able coadjutor antd amiable ,riend is very sensibly felt. What his family must suffer from this iblight to their best and fondest hopes and cexpectations, it wld4-m too painfuil to dwell upsn. ;V A fitter person coulA not have been selectt d by Gun'ern- mnet for the important mission with which he was charged than Mr. Maddock: he had established a very hig`i charac. ter at the Chancery bar, having been the aurthor of some work. of great celebrity on the practice of that Court; and his manners were of such a conciliatory nature, as to be particularly well calculated for pursuing inquiries which miglht he obnoxious to indiviluals, though ultimately di- recteti to the publicgood. Upon the whole, while the prie vate friendIs of this gentleman have deeply to deplore his untimely loss in the prime of life, we believe that the Go- vernment has lost in him a most. valuable and energetic public officer. WEsT iNDA CMMJnA