Commission., the 21st day of May, 1868, in the 31st year of our reign

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 cousin and councillor, George William Frederick, Earl of Clarendon, knight of our most noble Order of the Garter, and Knight Grand Cross of our most honorable Order of the Bath; our right trusty and well-beloved councillor Edward Cardwell; our right trusty and well-beloved councillor Sir Robert Joseph Phillimore, knight, doctor of civil law, judge of the high court of admiralty of England; our trusty and well-beloved Sir George William Wilshere Bramwell, knight, one of the barons of our court of exchequer; our trusty and well-beloved Sir John Burgess Karslake, knight, our attorney general; our trusty and well-beloved Sir Travers Twiss, knight, doctor of civil law, our advocate general; our trusty and well-beloved Sir Roundell Palmer, knight; our trusty and well-beloved William Edward Forster, esq.; our trusty and well-beloved William George Granville Venables Vernon Harcourt, esq., one of our council learned in the law; and our trusty and well-beloved Montague Bernard, esq., greeting:

Whereas we have deemed it expedient that a commission should forthwith issue to inquire into and consider the legal condition of our natural-born subjects who may depart from and reside beyond the realm in foreign countries, and to report how, and in what manner, having regard to the laws and practice of other States, it may be expedient to after and amend the laws relating to such natural-born subjects, their wives, children, descendants, or relatives;

And also to inquire into and consider the legal condition of persons, being aliens, entering into or residing within the realm, and becoming naturalized as subjects of the Crown, and to report how far and in what manner it may be expedient, having regard to the laws and practice of this country, of foreign states, or otherwise, to after or amend the laws relating to such persons, or persons claiming rights or privileges through or under them:

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 George William Frederick, Earl of Clarendon, Edward Cardwell, Sir Robert Joseph Phillimore, Sir George William Wilshere Bramwell, Sir John Burgess Karslake, Sir Travers Twiss, Sir Roundell Palmer, William Edward Forster, William George Granville Venables Vernon Harcourt, and Montague Bernard, to be our commissioners for the purpose aforesaid.

And for the better effecting the purposes of this our commission, we do by these presents give and grant unto 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.

And we 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 shall 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 to your consideration.

And for your assistance in the due execution of this our commission we have made choice of our trusty and well-beloved Charles Stuart Aubrey Abbott, esquire, 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.