HC Deb 05 July 1825 vol 13 cc1484-5
Mr. Brougham

presented the following petition from Mr. Bishop Burnett, of the Cape of Good Hope. The contents of the petition were as follows:-

That your petitioner having presented sundry grievances to your honourable House, inculpating the conduct of his excellency the governor of the Cape of Good Hope, and that his excellency's return to this country to repel your petitioners charges at the next ses- sion of parliament appearing to be the probable consequences of the discussion thereon, your petitioner humbly submits to your honourable House, that he should, in justice, be permitted to avail himself of the interval in collecting his evidence at the Cape for substantiating; the accusations he has advanced.

"Your petitioner, well aware that in promoting this inquiry, he is opposing himself to the concentrated force of a gigantic power, has no security but in the justice and sympathy of your honourable House; and as he has no hesitation in declaring, that with the collection of his evidence, thus facilitated, he cannot only prove the charges already adduced. but others also of equal magnitude, he trusts that your honourable House, in its paramount disposition to further the first end of its high calling, will perceive the necessity of allowing your petitioner, the accuser, to approach the bar of your honourable House upon equal terms with lord Charles Somerset, the accused.

" Your petitioner begs further to present, that as the unwarrantable violence of his deportation from the Cape was a virtual inhibition to the security of evidence of any kind, even to the proof of his banishment, your honourable House will not permit your petitioner to appear before it disqualified by injustice to bring home charges of oppression and persecution.

"Your petitioner's private affairs—if he may presume to offer so inconsequential a motive for consideration to your honourable House—imperatively demand his presence at the Cape, appellant, as he is, in nine causes before the full Court of Justice, each involving very important issues to himself and his brother colonists, and the fiat of his competence or beggary hanging upon their decision.

"Your petitioner respectfully adds, that he should have manifested less zeal in vindication of his violated. rights as a British subject, as a man, and as a gentleman, but for an impeachment of his veracity, and a direct charge of conspiracy brought against him by the under secretary of state for the Colonial department. Your petitioner is from hence solemnly determined to prove his charges to the world, even should his excellency lord Charles Somerset not avail himself of the permission to return, granted by his majesty's government, contrary to a most affronting implication of earl Bathurst, that your petitioner's importunity to the colonial department resulted from his apprehension of strict investigation into his complaints.

"Your petitioner therefore prays, that your honourable House will, with reference to the premises, adopt such measures for his immediate return to the Cape of Good Hope as the magnitude of the occasion implies, and the wisdom of your honourable House may deem proper; and your petitioner will ever pray. (Signed) B. BURNETT."

Mr. Hume

observed, that this petition contained grave charges, and he wished to know whether there would be any facilities afforded by government to the petitioner to return to the Cape, for the purpose of collecting evidence to substantiate them?

Mr. Canning

was at a loss to conceive upon what ground government could be called upon to assist with money every person who chose to prefer complaints against public functionaries in that House.

Mr. Hume

said, that the right hon. gentleman misunderstood his object. Mr. Burnett had been banished from the Cape by lord C. Somerset; and it was necessary that he should return to obtain evidence in support of his petition. Would he be permitted to do so?

Mr. Wilmot Horton

said, it was not at all essential to the case of this petitioner that he should go to the Cape for evidence. At least, hitherto it had not been shown that such evidence was necessary. When it had, then would be the time for entertaining the question of permitting him to return. Every statement which he had hitherto made, had turned out to be unfounded.

Ordered to lie on the table.