The Select Committee on Transportation has met three times ;
BO two witnesses have been examined—Sir Fitasicis FORBES, the Chief Justice of New South Wales, and Mr. Mums, author of The Felonry of Nem South IVales. We understand that the disci°. sures made by these gentlemen are of a character truly horrible. The epithet applies more especially to the operation of the system in producing a nation of devilish miscreants, but is hardly too strong for the doings of the totally irresponsible officials, both here and in the colony, who have at once made and administered the criminal slave-code of New South Wales. This latter part of the subject, we shall have to notice at length by and by ; but, if we are correctly informed, it will be impossible for any English journal even to mention the facts that have come to light with respect to the moral results of Transportation. They are mentioned by mem- bersof the Committee, but in whispers, and along with expressions of pain and shame adapted to the horrid subject. The "shameful and unblessed thing" grows visibly, it appears and becomes more dfflicult qf cum with the arrival of every shipful of convicts in the colony. We observe that the Admiralty have just chartered four vessels for the transportation of 114 female and 776 mule convicts. Surely the Com- mittee would but perform their duty to Parliament and the country, if they should instantly make a special report to the House, recommend- ing an address to the King with a view to staying the departure of these convict ships until the inquiry be completed. But we trust that no persuasion or promises of " reform " from the Colonial Office, will induce them to aliandon their labours. However distressing the task they have undertaken, they must not faulter in performing it, if they would make sure of the end which, as we are told, the seared bureau- cracy of the Colonial Office now profess to desire. If they proceed boldly as they have begun, the abomination will be cut up root and branch, and the very memory of it, according to Dr. WIIATELY'S sug- gestion, obliterated as far as possible.
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