5309. Are you aware whether the acting chief justice visited the Gambia for that purpose during the 18 months in question?--Certainly; while I was there Mr. Hook visited it. 5310. Do you know how frequently, in each year, it is the duty of the chief justice to deliver the gaol of the Gambia?--There is no time appointed; but I consider it a great disadvantage both to the Gambia and Sierra Leone, having only one chief justice for the two places. 5311. You are not aware whether the Gambia has not been left for a period of 12 months without a gaol delivery?--No; I think it is possible that it might be the case between the early part of 1838 and 1839, or between the beginning of 1839 and the beginning of 1840. There is very great difficulty in getting any person in a colony like that to fill the situation of chief justice, I mean from among the residents in the colony. 5312. Are you aware of the cause of the office having been vacant for the period of 18 months?--No, not at all; I suppose that the Colonial Government could not find a proper person to send out. One barrister who was appointed was drowned before he reached Sierra Leone. 5313. You are not aware that the applications have generally been extremely numerous for that office whenever it has become vacant?--No. 5314. Mr. _Aldam_.] What is the system of criminal law in force in the colonies?--The law of England. 5315. Is it modified at all?--Very little; if it is modified, it is modified by local Acts passed by the Governor and Council. 5316. Mr. _Evans_.] Do you think it a good thing to appoint men of colour to such high offices as those of chief justice or Governor, in any colony where many English gentlemen reside?--Certainly, if they are fit for the situations; but at Sierra Leone there is no feeling whatever except amongst one or two individuals, on the subject of colour; indeed I believe that the most popular man at the present time, and almost during the whole time when I was there, was a man of colour, and who was afterwards Lieutenant-governor; that was Dr. Ferguson, a man, I believe, universally beloved there. 5317. Mr. _Forster_.] Do you think that the natives have the same confidence and respect for a person of that description, as for a white officer?--I think so; at Sierra Leone, certainly. 5318. Mr. _Aldam_.] Practically, do you find a great number of men of colour who are fit to fill high situations in the colony?--There are not so many men of colour as white men fit to fill the high situations; but some of the highest situations have been filled in my time by men of colour, and well filled.