HC Deb 19 July 1842 vol 65 cc322-3
Sir R. Inglis

wished to know from the noble Lord the Secretary for the Colonies, what evidence satisfied, or ought to satisfy, our colonial Government in Canada, as to the accuracy of any sate meat made with respect to the alleged conviction of criminals claimed to be given up to the United States. Whether any certificate from the British Consul in the United States, as to the conviction of the erson claimed, was necessary in order to his being given up? And whether it was intended, in any treaty with the United States, to insist on the principle that any individual on touching the soil of England became consequently free? The Government had in case of the Creole acted on that principle, and upheld it in a manner that entitled them to general admiration. He wished to know whether it was intended that that principle should enter into any general arrangement or regulation between this country and the United States?

Lord Stanley

said, though the hon. Baronet had given him notice that he would ask a question, still he was not aware of what the precise nature of that question would be. As regarded the last question, the lion. Baronet must perceive that it was a subject of so much delicacy, and particularly in the present position of the proceedings between this country and the United States, where a very strong feeling prevailed on the point, that he must decline giving an answer. As to the first question, which related to the giving up of individuals who, having taken refuge in Canada, were claimed by the United States, that did not depend on the terms of any treaty. There was a law in Canada by which the Governor, with the advice of his Council, was authorized to surrender them. The hon. Member for Lambeth (Mr. Hawes) had moved for a copy of that act, which would be laid on the Table. He believed that in these cases the Executive must be satisfied that the demand was regularly made by the constituted authorities, and it must be stated on oath that the individual had been residing in the United States, to justify his being given up.

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