PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O.
885
1
2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
Arivellam.
CONFIDENTIAL.
=
TRANSPORTATION.
Ts To Ts
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :--
C.O.
• 885
1. THE accompanying paper, containing an account of the measures adopted during the last few years for the punishment of criminals by transportation, and of the results of those measures, has by my direction been drawn up in this office by Mr. Murdoch. It is a clear and faithful statement of facts of so alarming and horrible a character, that it is hardly neces-
sary for me very earnestly to recommend it to the immediate and most serious consideration of the Cabinet.
2. In doing so I beg to submit that the practical conclusion which, in my opinion, is to be deduced from this history of the policy hitherto pursued, is, that the system of trans- portation (to distant colonies, at all events) ought to be immediately and entirely aban- doned. It is indeed difficult to say upon what grounds its continuance could now be advo- cated, since that essential part of the old system of transportation-the assignment of convicts, has, after being condemned by the Committee of 1838, on grounds which are quite deci- sive, been for some time abandoned ;-trans- portation, as a punishment, has resolved itself into, first a system of penal labour, and after- wards (as regards the convicts who have ob- tained tickets of leave or conditional pardons) of exile.
3. With respect to penal labour, no ad- vantage, but the contrary, arises from its being inflicted in a distant colony. It was supposed,
(131)
B
2
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON |
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO