Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty. R OL LONDON: PRINTED BY GEORGE EDWARD EYRE AND WILLIAM SPOTTISWOODE, FOR HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE. 1868. COMMISSION. Victoria, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Queen, Defender of the Faith. To Our right trusty and well-beloved Councillor Robert Monsey Baron Cranworth, Our right trusty and well-beloved Richard Monckton Baron Houghton, Our right trusty and well-beloved Councillor Sir Hugh McCalmont Cairns, Knight, a Judge of the Court of Appeal in Chancery, Our right trusty and well-beloved Councillor Stephen Lushington, Doctor of Civil Law, Judge of the High Court of Admiralty, Our right trusty and wellbeloved Councillor Sir William Erle, Knight, Our trusty and well-beloved Sir George William Wilshere Bramwell, Knight, one of the Barons of the Court of Exchequer, Our trusty and well-beloved Sir Robert Joseph Phillimore, Knight, Doctor of Civil Law, Our Advocate General, Our trusty and well-beloved Sir Roundell Palmer, Knight, Our trusty and well-beloved Travers Twiss, Doctor of Civil Law, Our trusty and well-beloved William George Granville Venables Vernon Harcourt, Esquire, one of Our Counsel learned in the Law, Our trusty and well-beloved Thomas Baring, Esquire, Our trusty and well-beloved William Henry Gregory, Esquire, and Our trusty and well-beloved William Edward Forster, Esquire, greeting. Whereas We have deemed it expedient that a Commission should forthwith issue to inquire into and consider the character, working, and effect of the Laws of this Realm, available for the Enforcement of Neutrality during the existence of hostilities between other States with whom We are at peace; and to inquire and report whether any and what changes ought to be made in such laws for the purpose of giving to them increased efficiency and bringing them into full conformity with our international obligations. Now know ye, that We, reposing great trust and confidence in your knowledge and ability, have authorized and appointed, and do by these presents authorize and appoint you the said Robert Monsey Baron Cranworth, Richard Monckton Baron Houghton, Sir Hugh McCalmont Cairns, Stephen Lushington, Sir William Erle, Sir George William Wilshere Bramwell, Sir Robert Joseph Phillimore, Sir Roundell Palmer, Travers Twiss, William George Granville Venables Vernon Harcourt, Thomas Baring, William Henry Gregory, and William Edward Forster, to be Our Commissioners for the purposes aforesaid. And for the better effecting the purposes of this Our Commission, We do by these presents give and grant to you, or any five or more of you, full power and authority to call before you such persons as you shall judge likely to afford you any information upon the subject of this Our Commission, and also to call for, have access to, and examine all such books, documents, registers, and records as may afford the fullest information on the subject, and to inquire of and concerning the premises by all other lawful ways and means whatsoever. And We do by these presents will and ordain that this Our Commission shall continue in full force and virtue, and that you Our said Commissioners, or any five or more of you, may from time to time proceed in the execution thereof, and of every matter and thing therein contained, although the same be not continued from time to time by adjournment. 4 And we do further ordain that you, or any five or more of you, may have liberty to report your proceedings under this Commission from time to time, if you should judge it expedient so to do. And Our further will and pleasure is that you do, with as little delay as possible, report to Us under your hands and seals, or under the hands and seals of any five or more of you, your opinion upon the several points herein submitted for your consideration. And for your assistance in the due execution of this Our Commission, We, have made choice of Our trusty and well-beloved Francis Phipps Onslow, Esquire, Barrister-at-Law, to be Secretary to this Our Commission, and to attend you, whose services and assistance We require you to use from time to time as occasion may require. Given at Our Court at St. James's, the Thirtieth Day of January 1867, in the By Her Majesty's command. S. H. WALPOLE. |