PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
LTLC.O.
885
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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of necessity be, of making general and faithful representations to the Queen and her Government."
Mr. Vandaghe rose to move the 2nd resolution, as follows:-
“That in pursuance of the preceding resolution a Provisional Central Committee of fifteen persons be at once named by this meeting for the purpose of carrying out as early as it may be possible the declared objects of the projected Mauritius Association."
Mr. Berger Dujonet proposed the 3rd resolution, as follows:-
"That each district in the island be recommended to choose a Committee in conformity with the exist- ing laws, which may correspond with the Provisional Central Committee.”
Mr. E. Dupont proposed the 4th resolution :-
"
That the Provisional Central Committee, with
the assistance of those of the different districts, shall at once occupy itself with preparing a petition to the Queen in Council, with the view of obtaining ad Elective Assembly, Municipal Corporations, and such other advantages as are enjoyed by Her Majesty's subjects in other parts of her dominions."
5. That the Committee be requested with the least possible delay to prepare a plan for remodelling the present lavish expenditure of the Government of the colony, so as to reduce it in conformity with the present position of the island, as recommended
by the authorities at home to be prepared by the
colonists themselves" (continued cheering)..
Mr. Antelme rose to propose the 6th resolution. It was as follows:--
“That the inhabitants of this colony desire through the Mauritius Association in London to convey their warmest thanks and acknowledgments to Lord George Bentinck for his active and disinterested efforts in behalf of the British colonies, and espe- cially of Mauritius, entreating his Lordship to con- tinue to favour us with his powerful support and assistance."
Mr. Autard moved the 7th resolution :-
"That a subscription be at once opened, both in the town and country, to meet the expenses of the
Sir Wm. Gomm, No. 242;
October 23, 1848.
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Provisional Central Committee and also of the Mauritius Association as established in London, and that a list be now laid on the table for that purpose."
"8. That this meeting declares its entire approval of the course pursued by the Committee in their endeavours to carry out the declared wishes of the colonists, and offers to its members its best thanks."
Upon these resolutions the Procureur-General gave the following opinion :-
Sir,
Procureur and Advocate-General's Chambers.
October 24, 1848.
1. In continuation of my report of 6th instant,
I have the honour to offer my opinion on the
pro.
ceedings of the meeting held on 17th instant with your Excellency's previous consent.
2. The object of this meeting is thus set forth in
a letter of its promoters dated the 13th of this month,
viz., "to devise, if possible, awaiting the result of the petition and remonstrance which the Colonists are about to forward to their Sovereign and to Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, such means of generally and faithfully representing thei suffering position, as the proceedings adopted by the Governor have left open to them.
3. In consequence, eight resolutions have been been carried at this meeting, which have since been transmitted to your Excellency by the members of a committee elected at the same sitting, in pursuance
of the 2nd of those resolutions.
4. Though the legality of some of these resolu- tions be disputable, rather as to their tendency than
as to any material fact connected with any of them, there is, however, no sufficient ground for the inter- ference of the law or any other authority, and which
in the present state of minds, would not be advisable unless the law were openly and wilfully infringed.
5. This particularly applies,-Firstly, to the 2nd resolution for the formation of a provisional central committee, which has been appointed by ballot at the same sitting, and which, in the intention of the members of the meeting, cannot be considered other- wise than as a representative body confined to fifteen persons, with the same powers as originally intended
D