CO885(1-2) — Page 150

20

things unknown in any other part of the world, and which at present renders competition, with slave-pro- ducing countries by the Mauritius planters impos- sible.

"17. And lastly, that in consequence of a rupture with the Queen of Madagascar, all communication with that island has been cut off since the month of June 1845, whereby your petitioners have been deprived of their supplies of cattle, for food, and labour, and which were paid for principally in British manufactures-the price of meat having risen in consequence four-fold, whilst draft-oxen on which the planters are dependent for the cheap working of their estates, are not to be procured to replace the large numbers destroyed by murrain. A lucrative trade being at the same time lost to your petitioners and to the manufacturers of England. Whilst a source is also closed to your petitioners from whence effective free labourers might be obtained at a moderate rate.

"YOUR PETITIONERS

"Therefore humbly pray that in relief of their sufferings as now sets forth, your Majesty will be graciously pleased to order,—

"1. That, with a view to self-government, an Elective Legislative Assembly be granted to the inhabitants of Mauritius, with power to regulate the colonial expenditure and raise the necessary taxes, and that no taxes be imposed but with the consent of that Assembly.

2. That a municipal corporation be granted by royal charter to the town of Port Louis, with such powers as are possessed by similar corporate bodies in Great Britain-and that municipal institutions be granted to each of the country districts of the island.

3. That the existing penal laws restricting public meetings and associations be abolished.

4. That the Colonists be relived from the ex- penses of the fortress and garrison; and that these and other charges not strictly Colonial, be con- sidered as national, and for the future be provided for by the Imperial Government.

5. That a commission be appointed, composed of competent persons, to examine, with the least pos- sible delay, the present state of the legal procedure of the Local Courts, and to point out the most

ނ

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

C.O.

Reference --

885

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

21

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 Man- 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 laws 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 buf- 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 your Majesty.

"And that your Majesty may long live and gloriously reign, distributing happiness and pros- perity throughout your Majesty's vast dominions.

"Your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray.

"Mauritius, November, 1848.”

The petition itself has not yet been received; but Lord Grey having conveyed to the Governor Ꮐ

Page 150Page 151