§ MR. ADDERLEYwished to ask the hon. Gentleman the Under Secretary for the Colonies, whether he had not misapprehended a question which he had put to him on a former day, when he inquired if there was any objection to lay before the House any communication that had been received from the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, intimating a resistance there to the reception of convicts from this country? He begged now to ask the hon. Gentleman whether, in the month of January or February, a communication had been addressed by the Governor of the Cape to Earl Grey, containing the remonstrance of a public meeting against the reception of convicts from this country, and a petition to Her Majesty on the subject?
§ MR. HAWESsaid, he must trouble the hon. Gentleman to put his question on a future day, as he could not undertake to say at that moment that such a despatch or communication had been received. He understood the hon. Gentleman to ask the other day if he were aware of any communication having been made to the Secretary of State with reference to sending convicts to the Cape of Good Hope; and, at that time, he was not aware that any such communication had been received, but since then despatches had been received.
§ MR. ADDERLEYasked if the hon. Gentleman were not aware that, in the month of February, a communication was received from the Cape of Good Hope, intimating the very general resistance of that colony to the reception of convicts? Had the hon. Gentleman any objection to lay on the table any documents, official or non-official, received on the subject?
§ MR. HAWEScould not give the hon. Gentleman any other answer than he had already given him. If the hon. Gentleman would put his question on paper, he would give him a precise answer.
§ MR. ADDERLEYIs there any objection to lay the papers on the table?
§ MR. HAWESI can have no objection to lay any official paper on the table. Any official communication will be laid on the table.