§ MR. LEITHasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether he is able to inform the House if it be true, as publicly stated, that the late Premier and Attorney General of the Cape Colony recommended his Excellency Sir 127 Bartle Frere to try rebel Kaffir prisoners by drum-head courts martial, in order to allow instant execution on the field; and, if true, whether, he will lay upon the table of the House any Correspondence on the subject?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHSir, I could not reply to the Question without entering into statements beyond the ordinary limits of answers to Questions in this House; and, therefore, all I can say is that Despatches have been received from Sir Bartle Frere containing inclosures dealing with the whole of this matter, and they will very shortly be laid upon the Table of the House. Until that time, I trust, the House will suspend its judgment.