§ MR. PIRIE (Aberdeen, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the charges, based upon sworn evidence read out in the Cape Parliament on the 28th August last by Mr. Merriman, against two British officers, stationed at Graaff Reinet, to the effect that they attempted in May last to induce a British subject, Paul Michan, by offering to withdraw certain charges against him, to give evidence of treasonable practices against Mr. Merriman and other members of the Cape Parliament; that, upon Michan's refusing to do so, he had been 468 thrown into prison after peace had been declared; and that on the same day charges against the same officers were made in the Cape Parliament by Mr. de Waal—which he offered to substantiate upon oath—the statement made to him personally by two Cape Colonists that similar inducements to give evidence were held out to them when in prison; and will he say whether the officers in question have been given an opportunity to make any explanation as to these charges; and, if so, when and with what results.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK, Surrey, Guild-ford)I have no information on this subject beyond the published accounts of the proceedings in the Cape Parliament on the 28th August. A report will be called for.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)Does the right hon. Gentleman know the names of these two officers? because I do.