MR. PEASEasked Mr. Attorney General, Whether, during the administration of the late Government, steps were taken in view of a criminal prosecution of the directors of the St. John del Rey Mining Company for the working of a large number of slaves in their mines, and evidence obtained for that purpose; and, whether the Law Officers of the Crown intend to proceed with the prosecution?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir HENRY JAMES), in reply, said, he could not state what steps were taken by the late Government; but a case had been laid before the Solicitor General and himself by the Treasury, in order to determine whether 'a criminal prosecution should be instituted against the Directors of the Company. His learned Friend and himself had come to the conclusion that the conduct of the Directors was very reprehensible, that they had taken advantage of slave labour, and broken not only their moral obligation not to employ such labour, but an express agreement that the slaves should be set at liberty. But with respect to a criminal prosecution, great difficulties presented themselves. In the first place, the original purchase of slaves occurred 40 years ago, and many of the persons concerned in it were now dead. Secondly, the documents which would have to be put in evidence, in order to prove the guilt of those who had purchased the slaves and maintained them in a state of slavery, were not within the jurisdiction of our Courts, even if they were in existence at all. It was found impossible to take even the preliminary steps, and, therefore, they had advised that there was no chance of maintaining such a prosecution with success.
§ MR. O'KELLYsaid, he thought there would be no difficulty in obtaining the necessary information. It was by no means unusual for British subjects in slave-owning countries to have slaves.
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir HENRY JAMES)said, the question was one of the transfer and purchase of slaves. The prosecution would have been instituted if there had been any likelihood of its being successful.