CO885-(10-11) — Page 568

315.

SIR,

No. 447.

(JAMAICA.)

LAW OFFICERS to COLONIAL OFFICE.

-Lincoln's Inn, January 10, 1867.

We are favoured with your letter of the 2nd of December ultimo, stating that in the case of Mr. Sidney Levien's appeal now pending before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council from the judgment of the Court of Special Commission appointed to try persons concerned in the recent disturbances in Jamaica, and with reference to the report of the then Attorney and Solicitor General of the 26th of June last, you were directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to transmit to us the enclosed copy of a letter from Messrs. Shaen and Roscoe, solicitors for the appellant, in which they request to be furnished with copies of certain documents in order to ascertain 1866. the origin and nature of the Supreme Court of Jamaica and to request that we would inform you, for his Lordship's information, what answer it would be proper to return to these gentlemen.

*

You were also plessed to enclose a copy of the instructions which were given to Mr. Eyre on his appointment as Governor of Jamaica.

In compliance with the request contained in your letter, we have the honour to

Report

That it appears to us that many of the clauses in the instructions given to the Governor of a Colony contain what may be called private instructions for the guidance of the Governor, while others relate to matters of public interest such as the constitu- tion of the Privy Council, the mode and powers of passing laws, the limitations placed on that power, &c., &c.

We think it would be proper to inform Messrs. Shaen and Roscoe, in answer to their letter, that while his Lordship cannot allow a general examination to be made by them of all the instructions sent to Governors of Jamaica before 1681, or the instructions given to the late Governor Eyre, his Lordship will direct the several instructions to be searched and a copy of any clauses which appear to bear in any way on the question whether there ever existed in the Island of Jamaica a court of error to be furnished to Messrs. Shaen and Roscoe.

Sir Frederic Rogers, Bart.,

&o.

&c.

&c.

We are, &c. (Signed) JOHN ROLT.

JOHN B. KARSLAKE.

20 Nov.

16276.-189.

25.-5/66.

* See No. 416.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 885

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO