§ Lord Glenelgmoved that this Bill be read a third time.
§ The Duke of Richmondwished to ask his noble Friend whether the papers which he had placed in his hand, had satisfied him of the existence of practices at the Cape of Good Hope to which he had called his attention on a former occasion, and he wished to ask his noble Friend whether he had made up his mind as to the course which he ought to pursue with respect to those facts to which he had called his attention?
§ Lord Glenelghad received no official intimation on the subject, and until he had had the papers kindly placed in his hands by his noble Friend, he was not aware of the existence of those evils. He would be glad if it was possible to place any check on those evils by the introduction of a clause into this Bill; but, in point of fact, the practices to which his noble Friend had called his attention were already punishable as felony by the existing law, and he could conceive no more effectual check than that. However, he would willingly concur in any means that might be devised to check the practice referred to and punish its perpetrators.
§ The Duke of Richmondsuggested that a clause might be added to the present Bill, authorising the Governor in Council to call on the planters to find bail that they would account for the apprentices, and for what might have become of them at the period of the termination of their apprenticeship.
§ Lord Glenelgwould consider the proposition. He had no present objection to the course suggested.
§ Bill read a third time.