from 1847 to 1870 - more than 22 years - the Convicts were maintained in the Straits Settlements and at Port Blair, no claim was made and no payment was preferred for their maintenance. And I think it may reasonably be presumed that the cause of abstaining to advance any such claim was due to the fact that the Convicts were of pecuniary value to their employers. Indeed, evidence of this regards the Straits Settlements, is to be gathered from the report of a Commission on Prison discipline which states:- as in Singapore Sessional Paper 1872, appendix, page XXIV.
"We must admit that the 374 Transported Convicts have done good service to the Colony as our Public Works, Roads and Bridges testify".
Moreover, the liability of this Government to that of The Straits Settlements in respect of this "Convict Account" has been already dealt with by your Lordship as I find, by M:641 of March Despatch (noted in the 8th para in the margin) to Sir Md. Ord, a copy of which was forwarded to Major General Whitfeild. Therein your Lordship is pleased to decide that the claim to be reimbursed the