HC Deb 04 August 1845 vol 82 cc1367-8
Mr. Christie

rose for the purpose of calling the attention of the right hon. Gentleman the Home Secretary, to the case of the seven foreigners who were recently tried at the Exeter assizes, for the murder of Mr. Thomas Palmer, a midshipman, belonging to Her Majesty's ship the Wasp, and who, the hon. Member said, he understood were to be executed on Friday next. On the trial of these men several points were raised by counsel on their behalf, and one of these was quite a new one, in respect of which counsel on neither side was prepared with any authority. The Judge (Mr. Baron Platt) overruled the objections, and refused to reserve them for the consideration of his brother Judges; and he (Mr. Christie) now wished to ask the right hon. Baronet whether, under the peculiar circumstances of the case, and looking at the fact that the lives of seven of our fellow creatures, and these seven foreigners, were dependent on that decision, the right hon. Gentleman deemed it to be inconsistent with his duty to advise Her Majesty to exercise Her prerogative, and respite the unhappy men, in order that the opinion of the Judges might be obtained on the points raised?

Sir J. Graham

admitted that the question put by the hon. Gentleman was a most important one. He begged to state in reply that he had that morning heard from Mr. Baron Platt, who informed him that, after full consultation with his bro- ther Judge, Mr. Justice Erle, who was on the same circuit with him, and considering the gravity of the question and all the circumstances of the case, besides the fact that the lives of seven persons were at stake, he (Mr. Baron Platt) had determined to reserve the point of law, which had been raised on the trial, for the consideration of the other Judges. Upon this being communicated to the Government, a respite was at once issued.

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