Commons Sitting of 2 August 1851

MINUTES.
PUBLIC BILLS.—1° Leasehold Tenure of Land (Ireland) Act Continuance.
3° Metropolitan Interment; General Board of Health (No. 3); Church Building Acts Amendment; Petty Sessions (Ireland); Summary Jurisdiction (Ireland); Constabulary Force (Ireland).

THE CASE OF ROBERT ERSKINE, AT CAPE COAST CASTLE.
SIR EDWARD BUXTONwished to ask the hon. Gentleman the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies a question respecting the case of Robert Erskine, at Cape Coast Castle, towards whom great cruelty had been practised. This person, having been accused of robbery, was cruelly tortured by order of two officers in Her Majesty's service, named Murray and Stewart, with a view to make him confess. He wished to ask the hon. Gentleman whether he would inform the House of the nature of the correspondence that had passed between the Colonial Office and the Commander-in-Chief in respect to this matter?
MR. HAWESsaid, if the hon. Baronet would move for the correspondence, he would be quite willing to assent to its production. The case was one, no doubt, of great atrocity; but being committed by individuals not in the service of the local government, it unfortunately did not come within the operation of the statute for the punishment of the offences committed within the colony. The case was brought subsequently under the notice of the Commander-in-Chief, and he (Mr. Hawes) would read to the House the concluding para-
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graph of a letter which he had received from Lord Fitzroy Somerset, conveying the Duke of Wellington's decision on the subject:—
"In reply I have to acquaint you that his Grace also feels that imputations of great seriousness are raised and supported by a considerable body of evidence against officers in Her Majesty's service; but having considered the whole matter with most anxious attention, and being advised that the officers in question cannot be tried or punished by court-martial for an offence committed now three years ago, his Grace is at a loss to suggest to Earl Grey what further proceedings could be taken against them.
"FITZROY SOMERSET."
The House adjourned at a quarter after One o'clock until Monday.