HC Deb 22 February 1866 vol 181 cc900-1
MR. BUXTON

said, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether he has reason to believe that the alleged Official Report of Mr. Gordon's trial, which has been published in England, may be received as an authentic copy of the proceedings?

MR. CARDWELL

Sir, the authentic report of the proceedings on Mr. Gordon's trial, with many other documents, sent by Mr. Eyre to Sir Henry Storks, will form part of the subject-matter of inquiry by the Commission. No copy of those proceedings has reached me, and of course it is not in my power to express any opinion with respect to them.

MR. BRIGHT

I should like to ask a Question bearing upon this subject, which, if the right hon. Gentleman cannot answer to-night, perhaps he will answer to-morrow. The question is this—Would he be willing to lay upon the table of the House the Despatches received at the War Department, and at the Admiralty, from officers in those services connected with the recent transactions in Jamaica? I presume they must have arrived in this country; and perhaps the Government and the right hon. Gentleman will have no objection to let the House and the country be fully informed respecting them.

MR. CARDWELL

—The despatches which I have laid upon the table are those which have passed between me and the Governor of Jamaica. With regard to the Question which the hon. Gentleman has put, it certainly requires notice, and as the papers have been sent to other Departments I cannot give an answer.

MR. BRIGHT

Then I will ask the Question another evening.