3.T.Co.of H.Ld.
- 3
73
My Board are extremely loath to believe that the
Government of any British Colony would be disposed to adopt
so invidious a course as to propose retrospective legislation
in order to strengthen a claim already preferred by them, and
they consider it unnecessary to put before your Lordship any
further points of the Company's side of the case at present;
as they feel confident that your Lordship will either be
able to give us an assurance that the proposed Bill will be
amended so as not to affect prejudicially, the Company's
position:
if not so amended, that your Lordship will
veto the proposed amendment of the original Ordinance and
leave the Government's claim to be dealt with on its merits
before the Courts.
Should, however, your Lordship not be able to give
my Directors an assurance on this point, they will be most reluctantly compelled to oppose the proposed Bill by every
means in their power.
I have the honour to be, My Lord,
Your most obedient Servant,
4wodern
Secretary.
The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Crewe, K.G.,P.C.,
Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies,
Downing Street,
S.W.