CO885-(10-11) — Page 508

1677.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

PELLC.O. 885

MY LORD,

No. 395.

(BAHAMAS)

QUEEN'S ADVOCATE to FOREIGN OFFICE.

Doctors' Commons, February 12, 1866.

I AM honoured with your Lordship's commands signified in Mr. Hammond's letter of the 10th instant, stating that he was directed by your Lordship to transmit to me

the accompanying letter from the Colonial Office enclosing a Despatch from the Jan. 7, 1866. Governor of the Bahamas requesting instructions as to the course which he is to pursue in case of his being called upon by the Captain of a United States vessel of war to assist in the recovery of desertere, together with copies of a correspondence which has passed between the Colonial Office and Board of Trade upon the subject; and to re- quest that I would take these papers into consideration and furnish your Lordship with my opinion thereupon.

In obedience to your Lordship's commands, I have taken this case into consideration, and have the honour to

Report

That I am of opinion that the Governor of the Bahamas has no legal authority to assist the captain of a United States ship of war in the recovery of deserters from his ship. Such an authority could only be derived from the provisions of a Statute. It is clear that the Imperial Statute, 15 & 16 Viot. c. 26., is confined to merchant vessels, and I understand that the Local Bahamas Act, passed in 1833 (which I have not before

such him me), does hot confer upon any

The Earl of Clarendon, K.G.,

&c.

&c.

&c.

power.

I have, &c. (Signed)

ROBERT PHILLIMORE.

16278.-297. 95.-5/86.

ملا

11 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

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