The Jamaica Committee had a stirring sitting on Monday, to
discus Mr. C. Buxton's letter resigning the chairmanship, and condemning the prosecution of Mr. Eyre by the Committee for murder. Mr. Buxton defended himself on the ground we ex- plained last week, that he thought such a prosecution would turn public feeling in favour of Mr. Eyre, and make a martyr of him. Mr. Bright said that he felt towards Mr. Buxton much-as a friend of his had felt towards an Indian Sportsman among his ac- quaintance. He said "he should not like to go out tiger hunt- ing with so and so, for if anything happened I am sure he would leave me -to the tiger." " Mr. Buxton had freely lent them his purse and led them on to this point, and when they came tc) that point, which was the only one at which they could do any good, he backed out and left them all in the lurch." Mrs. Gordon - had also embarrassed the committee by refusing, to prosecute, on the ground that her husband -would not have approved Of any- thing vindictive. The worst of the intended prosecution is that though Mr. Eyre's crime is legally murder, because lie caused Mr. Gordon's death by an illegal act, it is no more morally' murder than the act of a burglar, who accidentally kills the owner of the house he attacks in defending himself against him. Mr. Eyre should be prosecuted and punished, but scarcely for murder, unless by Mrs. Gordon herself. The Committee will not now, we think, effect much, though Mr. J. S. Mill gallantly takei Mr. Brixton's place. But no right-thinking man will be content without a judicial condemnation and panishment of Mr. Eyre, to Serve_as .a lesson for future governors.
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