The Sun. — 1866-02-10 (London, England)

JAMAICA. 'Sir J. PAKINGTON, on the motion that-it be received, said he was sure the house would grant him a few minutes while he directed its attention to a subject which, although mentioned in the Speech from theThrone,had not been referred to except in the observations that had fallen from the mover and seconder of the Address. He could not say how much he regretted the observations that-had beenmade in many quarters with respect to the unhappy transactions that had taken place in Jamaica. (Hear, hear.) He thought the various matters had been most unfairly dealt with, and that the conduct of various officers had been discussed, prejudged, and condemned by men who had not the means at their command or any evidence in their possession which could enable them to come to a correct judgment. No gentleman had been more violent in his denunciation of the officers in Jamaica than the hon. member for Birmingham (Mr. Bright). In a speech lately delivered at Rochdale he characterised the whole of the trials that had taken place in Jamaica as a mass of irregularities—that Gordon had been murdered, and that those guilty of the crime should be placed at the bar as criminals, to take their trials for their misdeeds. The most unjustifiable language had been used, and he could scarcely trust himself while he made reference to the matter. Murder was a foul crime, but so also was a foul accusation, and he could not sufficiently express the feelings he had experienced in hearing such accusations as those that had been brought against Governor Eyre. Governor Eyre was a gentleman known by repute to many members of that house as an able and valuable public s want, and if he had one quality over another for which he was remarkable, it was the humanity, kindness, and good feeling with which he had treated the native races in Jamaica. He did not think it either fair or honourable that such a man as Governor Eyre was to be branded with the crime of murder without the slightest proof. (Hear.) Ho thought it was but right that Governor Eyre should know that there were parties in the British House of Commons desirous of doing him justice, and that they did not sympathise in the harsh conclusions which had been passed hear.) The right hon. baronet, having touched upon some other topics mentioned in the Queen's Speech, resumed his seat amidst considerable cheering. Mr. BRIGHT rose not to complain of the censure cast upon him by the right hon. baronet opposite, as it had been his fate to labour under that censure on many occasions. He did not prejudge Governor Eyre, ho took his own words, and he felt there was not a judge on the English bench who would not say that Mr. Gordon had been murdered. (Hear, hear.) He thought the Government had ,been right in appointing the commission, not that it had been dono too soon, but that it had been  delayed too long. He was content to leave the matter in the hands of .the commissioners, feeling certain that justice would be done. In all the speeches he had made, and they had not been a few there were none to which he more firmly held than those referring to .the lamentable subject now before the house ; and to his last hour he would adhere to every word he had uttered on the subject of Jamaica. He had nothing to retract, and if the same horrible atrocities were to be perpetrated again to-morrow, he would, if God gave him the power, again denounce them with more burning indignation, if he hail the power, as he considered such acts to be a foul blot on the character of English Governors. Mr. MARSH thought there was no necessity or want of a Reform Bill, and said he should oppose any lowering of the franchise.  Mr.