CO885-(10-11) — Page 718

6990.

No. 571.

(BAHAMAS)

LAW OFFICERS to COLONIAL OFFICE.

MY LORD,

Temple, June 21, 1869. We are honoured-with your Lordship's commands, signified in Sir Frederic Rogers' letter of the 18th instant, stating that with reference to the Report* of the Solicitor and Attorney General, of which he enclosed a copy, he was directed by your Lordship to transmit to us an extract of a Despatch from the Governor of the Bahamas, together with certain enclosures, from which we should perceive that the police had reported that they had seen a number of Cubans drilling in their houses, and that a number of men were seen employed throwing a lance at a mark, but that the Governor was advised that so long as the drilling was practised indoors or on their own premises, he had no authority to interfere.

A further Despatch just received from Sir James Walker, in reference to the Law Officers' Report of the 7th of May containing detailed explanation as to the drilling of Cubans, was also enclosed, and Sir Frederic Rogers was pleased to request that we would, at our earliest convenience, advise your Lordship whether the facts now reported would have justified the Governor in interfering with the drilling of the insurgents.

In obedience to your Lordship's commands, we have the honour to

Report

That we do not think that the facts reported, standing alone, would justify the Governor in interfering; nevertheless, drilling in private houses might be very good evidence that certain persons (who need not be the Queen's subjects) were procuring soldiers for the Cuban insurgents, in contravention of the 2nd section of the Foreign Enlistment Act.

We have, &c. (Signed)

The Right Hon. the Earl Granville.

R. P. COLLIER. J. D. COLERIDGE. TRAVERS TWISS.

D16978-818. 23.-5/86.

• No. 581.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

mmimhim C.O. 885

11 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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