§ MR. HOPWOODasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether information has been received respecting occurrences in British Sherbro, on the West Coast of Africa, in April last; whether the town of Mattroo was blown up, many natives slain, and a chief named Lahsarris taken prisoner by a force commanded by the Governor of Sierra Leone; what was the justification for this action, and whether the chief has been set at liberty; and, whether the Despatch of the Governor, relating the circumstances, be laid upon the Table of the House?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEY,in reply, said, that it would be impossible for him to go fully or fairly into the matters to which this Question related in the 760 course of a limited answer. He therefore proposed at once to lay upon the Table the documents which would supply his hon. and learned Friend with the information he required. With respect to the Chief Lahsarris, he might say that he was still in custody under the provisions of an order passed by the Legislature of Sierra Leone?