§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYasked the noble Earl the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he could give any information with respect to the case of Mr. Shaw, a missionary, who had been mixed up in recent incidents in Madagascar, and appeared to have suffered a good deal, perhaps not altogether from his own fault?
§ EARL GRANVILLEMy Lords, in answer to questions which I put to M. Waddington as to what were the charges against Mr. Shaw, whether that gentleman was informed of them, by what tribunal he would be tried, and whether he would have full facilities for his defence, he told me that he was informed by the French Government that when the French Consul left Tamatave, Mr. Shaw's case was still under consideration. The charges against him were complicity with the enemy and hostile action respecting the French colours. They did not yet know the result of the inquiry. He was not in prison, but on board one of the French ships, where the French Consul saw him walking up and down. The French Government said the prisoner must have been informed of the charges against him, the Code for the Navy making this necessary. He will be tried by a court martial formed according to the Rules laid down by the said Code, and he has the right of appeal before a Court of Revision. There is no reason whatever for supposing that he will not have every facility for preparing his defence. M. Waddington added that the letter addressed by the Governor of the Mauritius to Admiral Pierre received a courteous reply.