18,447.
MY LORD,
No. 267.
(SIERRA LEONE.)
LAW OFFICERS to FOREIGN OFFICE.
Temple, 18th October 1881. We are honoured with your Lordship's commands signified in Mr. Lister's letter of the 6th instant, stating that, with reference to our report of the 11th August on the case of the slave girl murdered at Onitsha, he was directed by your Lordship to transmit to us the subsequent correspondence, together with a letter from the Colonial Office of the 1st July, which had already been before us, and that Mr. Lister was to request that we would take the papers then submitted into our consideration, and favour your Lordship with our opinion, at our earliest convenience, as to whether Williams and his wife could be arrested and sent to Sierra Leone for trial with John, as proposed in the last-mentioned letter of the 1st July. That, in the event of dur being of opinion that there was no legal power to arrest them, then your Lordship would wish to be advised whether they should nevertheless be taken and brought to trial at the risk of any consequences.
In obedience to your Lordship's commands we have the honour to
Report
That it is not perfectly clear what power exists for arresting offenders whose offences are committed, not on the high seas, but in countries where no civilised government exists. But, having regard to the provisions of the Acts of the 46th & 57th Geo. 3, and of the 11th Wm. 3, which is recited in the former of those Acts, we think that Williams and his wife may lawfully be apprehended under a warrant issued under the hands of the commissioners appointed to try the case. We think it well to call attention to the fact that the jurisdiction of the commissioners appointed under the 57th Geo. 3 only extends to the trial of murders and manslaughters, as we observe that it has been suggested that charges of offences against the Slave Trade (Acts) should be added.
We have, &c.,
(Signed)
The Right Hon. the Earl Granville, K.G.,
&c.
&c.
&c.
HENRY JAMES. FARRER HERSCHELL. J. PARKER DEANE.
A 1290-247. 25.-12/84.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Co.
Reference :-
885
12 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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