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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 882

152

may

12. With reference to the lists prepared by Messrs. Beyts and de Joux, mention that, on the 15th December, these gentlemen were called, in reference to the remark made by Sir John Hennessy to Mr. Newton on the 14th December, that they had mentioned to him the names of from 30 to 40 English officials who were prepared to come forward in his behalf, and in reference, further, to Sir John Hennessy'■ telegram of that day, stating that he had a list of 34 witnesses, Messrs. Beyts and de Joux produced to me the lists they had shown to Sir John Hennessy. On Mr. de Joux's list there were 10 names, and on Mr. Beyts' list 11 names, one of which, how- ever, was also on Mr. de Joux's list. Each list, therefore, contained 10 separate names of English officials, making a total of 20. Of these Mr. de Joux explained that one had excused himself from coming forward on the plea of illness, one expressed a disinclination to give evidence, one did not answer, and one had appealed to me for protection against the coercion which was being applied to induce him to testify in Sir John Hennessy's favour. The 16 officials remaining on the two lists were all examined, and their evidence did not rebut or negative the evidence given by the 23 English officials, who had laid four charges against the Governor. Indeed, the evidence of many of the 16 witnesses was damaging to Sir John Hennessy, especially that of Mr. Conual and Dr. Meldrum.

13. Mr. Beyts and Mr. de Joux both stated they were not aware of any other English officials who were in the least likely to give evidence in the Governor's favour. The remaining 18 of Sir John Hennessy's 34 witnesses had, as far as I could ascertain, no real existence. They were possibly assumed to exist by Sir John Hennessy on the strength of some loose and inaccurate observations of Mr. de Joux. It will be seen from that gentleman's note to Mr. Atkinson, which formed Enclosure No. 10 in my report of the 7th instant, that in asking Mr. Atkinson to sign a testimonial in Sir John Hennessy's favour, Mr. de Joux wrote to him as follows:-"A considerable number (over 30) of English officials have expressed to me their wish to appear before the Royal "Commissioner, and to state that Sir John P. Hennessy has never been guilty, &c., " &c."

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14. When Mr. de Joux was sworn and asked who were the considerable number of English officials, over 30, who had expressed to him their wish to appear before the Royal Commissioner, he admitted that the statement was inaccurate. He excused himself on the ground that, in writing to Mr. Atkinson, he had expressed himself loosely, understanding that Mr. Beyts had, as well as himself, a considerable number of names on a list, and thinking that altogether they perhaps amounted to over 30. But he stated on his oath that, as a matter of fact, he had only spoken to seven, and written to three, persons, and that, out of the seven spoken to, only six had expressed to him their willingness to testify that Sir John Hennessy had not shown any hostility to them personally, and that they felt safe under his government.

15. From the foregoing narrative the following conclusions may, I think, be deduced :- First. That the statement in Sir John Hennessy's telegram to you, sent from Mauritius by the French mail of about the 20th December, namely, "I have 34 official "witnesses for the defence to be examined," was not in accordance with fact, 16 of them having been examined;

Secondly. That the evidence of the 16 did not rebut or negative the evidence of the 23 English officials, who had brought four specified charges against Sir John Hennessy; Thirdly. That Sir John Hennessy was invited to give the names of any other official witnesses he desired to be examined, but declined to do so; and

Fourthly. That the remaining 18 out of Sir John Hennessy's "34 official witnesses" may not unreasonably be classed with a great part of Mr. de foux's “

over 30"

English officials, who were acknowledged by that gentleman, when examined on his oath, to have no real existence.

The Right Hon. the Secretary of State

I have, &c. (Signed)

HERCULES ROBINSON,

Royal Commissioner.

{

153

No. 60.

THE RIGHT HON. SIB H. T. HOLLAND, BART., G.C.M.G., M.P., to the RIGHT HON. SIR HERCULES ROBINSON, G.C.M.G.

TELEGRAPHIC.

February 14.-Hennessy alleges witnesses who could only speak French rejected on ground that they could not speak English. What are the facts? mail.

Despatch follows by

No. 61.

THE RIGHT HON. SIR H. T. HOLLAND, BART., G.C.M.G., M.P., to the RIGHT HON. SIR HERCULES ROBINSON, G.C.M.G.

SIB,

Downing Street, February 15, 1887. WITH reference to my telegram of the 14th instant,* I have the honour to transmit to you,

for any observations you may wish to offer, copy of a Hennessy, relative to the inquiry held by you into the affairs of Mauritius, and your letter from Sir J. Pope alleged refusal to hear witnesses who could not speak English.

Sir Hercules Robinson.

No. 62.

I have, &c. (Signed) H. T. HOLLAND.

THE RIGHT HON. SIR HERCULES ROBINSON, G.C.M.G., to the RIGHT HON. SIR H. T. HOLLAND, Bart., G.C.M.G., M.P. (Received February 15, 1887.) TELEGRAPHIC.

5th February.-Yours 14 February. I am not aware of any witnesses having been rejected on grounds that they could not speak English. All persons desiring to give evidence were publicly invited to communicate with Round and arrange with him for a hearing. In his absence I cannot state positively what took place in each case, but I believe the facts are these. A few persons who desired to give evidence, some for and some against Hennessy, were unable to speak English. They were alike told that the Commission had not the means of taking parole evidence in French, but if they would get what they had to say written in English, their representations would be fully considered, and, if material to the inquiry, attached to the evidence. This was done, and many written statements will be found amongst the papers. I believe the eighty witnesses examined who happened to be equally divided for and against Hennessy comprised every person on the spot who could give material information respecting the points coming within the purview of the Commission. I was satisfied before leaving that any further evidence would have been simply an expression of the individual opinion of private persons as to Hennessy being a good or bad Governor, and such evidence might have been produced indefinitely on each side.

·

for the Colonies,

&c.

&c.

子

&c.

• No. 48.

No. 63.

THE RIGHT HON. SIR H. T. HOLLAND, BART., G.C.M.G., M.P., to the RIGHT HON. SIR HERCULES ROBINSON, G.C.M.G.

SIR,

Downing Street, February 16, 1887.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 8th of January, explaining the circumstances which led you to assume the Government of

• No. 60.

E 94314.

↑ No. 54.

σ

‡ No. 49.

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5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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