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of transportation," to write to you to ascertain whether you would be willing to give the benefit of your advice and assistance to the Committee, and if so, in what way it would be most convenient to you to do so. In complying with the instructions of the Committee, I have to assure you that its members have been induced to make this request by the desire to avail themselves, in their deliberations, of the valuable opinions on the subject which your position as the law «dviser of the Crown has enabled you to form. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obt. servant, E. J. Wakefield Chairman of Committee. The honourable the Attorney General, Lc. &c. Copy. June 21, 1854. Sir, ■ I reply to your note of yesterday, on the subject of the proposed enquiry as to the best form of secondary punishment. I shall be glad to meet the Committee at any time that may be most convenient to themselves, and to give them all the information and assistance it may be in my power to afford. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obt. servant, Wm. Swainson, Attorney General. To. E. J. Wakefield, Esq.

House of Representatives, 21 June, 1854. My Lord, I have been instructed by a select Committee of this House, appointed to consider and report on " the best form of secondary punishment in Jieu of transportation," to write to your Lordship, in order to ascertain whether you would be willing to give the Committee the benefit ofg'your advice and assistance, and if so, in what way it would be most convenient to your Lordship to do so. In complying with the instructions of the Committee, I have the honour to explain to your Lordship that its members are especially desirous of availing themselves in their deliberations of the valuable opinions which your Lordship, as the head of a numerous and important class of teachers of religion and morality, has probably formed on the subject. I take the liberty of suggesting, as important branches of it, the possibility of introducing a system of secondary punishment which should provide for the reformation of the criminal and the desirability of averting the degradation possibly ensuing from the exposure to the public gaze of prisoners at hard labour both to the prisoners and the public at large. I indulge the hope that on these or other branches of the subject of the enquiry before the Committee, your Lordship may be willing to honour the Committee with a statement of your opinions either in writing, or orally, as may best meet your Lordship's convenience. I have the honour to be, My Lord, Your Lordship's most obedient servant, E. J. Wakefield. To Bishop Pompallier,