MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (on behalf of Mr. JOHN O'CONNOR,) Tipperary, S.I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has seen a letter from Geraldo de Lima in the African Times, of 1st February, in which he says—
In good faith I have recommended the English people to the Awoonahs, and to the King also, and have always advised them to be loyal to the British Government and laws, notwithstanding the treatment I received years ago. … I was never a slave dealer in the sense my late master Cæsar de Lima was, and since his death my trade has always been free trade. And, because my name is de Lima, I have to suffer. … I do not know on what charge I was deported to Accra. I was never tried at all";and in view of the facts that Geraldo de Lima has claims against the British Government for £5,000, the justice of which have been urged by men of in- 48 fluence and integrity at the Gold Coast, that his house and property and business have gone to ruin during his imprisonment, and that he has not been allowed to see his family once since his deportation to Accra, will he be charged with a definite offence and tried, or else liberated and sent home?
§ BARON H. DE WORMSI have seen the letter to which the hon. Member refers, but I need scarcely point out that the statements it contains are of an entirely ex parte character. There is no information in the Colonial Office as to his alleged claims against the British Government, or that their justice has been "urged by men of influence and integrity at the Gold Coast." The Governor will, however, be asked for a Report on the subject, and also to state whether he can now recommend de Lima's release,