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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

TLC.O. 882

سلسالسا

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

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effectual means of removing the grievances com plained of, and of securing to your petitioners prompt and cheap justice.

"6. That in order to give currency to the East India Company's Rupee in Mauritius, its declared value in the Colony be approximated to that of British silver coin, and that inasmuch as one Rupee outweighs two shillings in the balance, and is of greater intrinsic value, the rupee to be declared to represent two shillings sterling, and be received by the Government at that rate.

*7. That the laws of the Colony be, as in Great Britain, common and alike to all men, without distinc- tion of class, colour or sect; and that all special laws now existing, be repealed.

"8. That all practicable encouragement be given to the introduction of free-immigrants into Mau- ritius, coming from any free country, and especially as between Your Majesty's dominions in the East Indies and Mauritius; and that, with this view the lawa now existing both in Mauritius and in India be revised.

"9. That measures be taken with the view of restoring free commerce with Madagascar which is so essential to the prosperity of Mauritius,

“10. And finally, that until the oppressive bur- dens above complained of be removed, and until the abolition and final suppression of slavery and slave labour in foreign countries and colonies, compensa- tion be granted to your petitioners for the disadvan- tages and disabilities which the British colonies are subject to as opposed to foreign colonies with un- restricted slave-labour, in the form of a protective custom duty of at least ten shillings per hundred weight on their sugars.

"Your petitioners humbly beg Your Majesty graciously to accept their assurance of their faithful and devoted loyalty and attachment to Majesty.

your

"And that your Majesty may long live and gloriously reign, distributing happiness and pros-

perity throughout your Majesty's vast dominions.

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Your petitioners as in duty bound will ever

pray.

«Mauritius, November, 1848." I

The petition itself has not yet been received; Governor but Lord Grey having conveyed be

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