435
I have been informed by the Chief Justice that he intended to object to the reception of affidavits which had been made on the matter by Witnesses, on the ground that the Petition of Mr Pollard was not a matter which came within the exception contained in the 5 and 6 William 4 C. 62 sect 13 and I have therefore (in the absence of Mr Pollard) deemed it advisable to have statutory Declarations made by the respective persons who had previously made Affidavits; as Mr Pollard's friends are very anxious that his case should not be prejudiced by any mere technical objection.
I have reason to know that in the course first adopted by Mr Pollard in getting his Petition supported by Affidavits he was partly actuated by a statement contained in an official letter on the matter addressed to him by F. the Acting Colonial Secretary by the direction of the Governor; under these circumstances perhaps His Excellency will have no objection to forward to the Secretary of State.