THE JAMAICA COMMITTEE PROSECUTIONS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IX, Issue 477, 9 May 1867, Page 3

THE JAMAICA COMMITTEE PROSECUTIONS.

OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. [Morning Herald.] The Morning Herald observes that the Jamaica Committee, notwithstanding their repeated disavowals, have commenced in earnest their series of prosecutions. Warrants have been applied for and granted by the chief metropolitan magistrate, at Bowstreet, for the apprehension of Brigadier Nelson and Lieutenant Brand, on a charge of wilful murder, in the execution yf G. W, Gordon, in the

parisii ol Si. Thomas, Jamaica. Exvju.auui xuyus id vmy a.'iuwcU iiujUj »iiy until he comes, by residence, within the jurisdiction of Sir Thomas Henry. The most salient circumstance of the matter is that the Jamaica Commit,tee after denying its complicity in these prosecutions, avows it now without diffidence or shame. We were told, six weeks ago, that the comn)!..ee were in no way responsible for the rouriolu inuictment. But who apOur.esquo or Criminal iiiigaiion comes to an end. The publicity of the case consists in this—the whole prosecution rests upon the private motion of a few individuals who have a part to play. How they engaged a raau so eminent as Mr Mill, or how they induced him to take his seat by tiie side of Mr Peter Alfred Taylor, while the process was opened at Bow-street, it is not now necessary to inquire. The committee expects no verdict; it feels well assured that this mere attorney’s case against a number of British officers and” gen tlemen who have done their duty wii! explode amid contempt and disgust: and yet, will even that conclusion be satisfactory ? The Jamaica Committee, whatever their collapse and breakdown, judicial opinion decides the question which ffiey have endeavoied to overload with dishonest prejudice, will have effected their object, they will have bitterly persecuted brave aud honorable men who have served their country in a time of need. ... y.. V [Daily Xews.] Tidily News says i!Tafthe%>erests 'at stakb are"‘co-extensive witli'lLe British Empire. What is alleged to i iidvc been douo iti Juuidicd muy "bo ivpeated in India,.iu, Ireland orffi London. practical questio#to-'bfc decided is whether, the conduct irupupeared ? Mr John Stuart Mill, in conjunction with Mr Peter'Alfred Taylor. They represent the committee. The committee takes the part of public prosecutor. _ It assumes the whole responsibility of charging two /.ughsh officers and gentleman with jthe worst crime known to law, and aims the question stands. It may | be presumed that Sir Thos. Henry did jnot grant thewarrams with out galle jjus;iileatmn , it may also be taken for granted that the process will he carried out upon legitimate principles ; bnt, regarded as a whole, this affair is so like an attempt at a jugglery of justice that the leelingof the country must inevitanly revolt against it. The general mind of the community, however, will be relieved whenever this abominable ted to Mr Lyre and his coadjutors shall be a precedent cr a warning. They are not called to account for acts of violence committed ia the suppression of rebellion; destruction of life or property necessary f. r this purpose; ds admitted to be justifiable. The immrgo which -’ey have t- ; -r h that, after the restoration cf tranquil ity, they continued to use weapons winch cau be properly employed onlv against tumult: tiitiL limy handed over! to military violence a British subject,! who, so far from being taken iu armed insurrection, had never borne arms, nor been near the seat of tumult; and that they bad unnecessarily, and therefore criminally, transferred to a military tribunal a man who had voluntarily surrendered himself in time of peace to the'iivil powers. If these things can be done iu Jamaica, they may be' done iu England.

[to be continued.]