§ Mr. Grotepresented a Petition from the Merchants of London, trading with Oporto, complaining of the great loss which they had already sustained, and the injury to which they were continually exposed in consequence of the continued struggle existing for the last ten months in Portugal. The complainants stated, that they and other English merchants were in the habit of making large purchases of wine, which were deposited in Villa Nova, on the south side of the Douro, and consequently ex- 3 posed to the chances of war from the batteries on each side of the river, and the other operations between the contending parties. The House was, perhaps, not aware that English property, to the amount of 1,000,000l. sterling, was exposed in that manner. The solvency, if not the very existence, of the petitioners depended on some decided steps being taken by the Government. Their property to a great extent was injured by the cannon-balls, and the bursting of shells among their wine magazines. They had been anxious to get their wines shipped to this country, but from difficulties and delay interposed by the government of Don Miguel, it had been found impracticable; and they now intreated the sympathy and support of the House, for the purpose of making some vigorous efforts to rescue their property from its present hazardous and ruinous state. They did not in any degree complain of the conduct of his Majesty's Government, but this injury and this distress still impelled them to seek their assistance in the immediate liberation of their property. The petitioners had done everything they could, to effect the removal of the difficulties which had opposed the exportation of the wines; they had even offered the payment of double duties to the contending parties, but they were defeated in their efforts. He begged to recommend the prayer of the petition to the serious consideration and sympathy of his Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. Robinsonsupported the prayer of the petition. The Newfoundland trade would be seriously affected inconsequence of the shutting up of the port of Oporto. The very existence of the parties concerned in that trade depended upon the ports of Portugal being accessible to their produce. He made no charge against the Government; on the contrary, he believed that all persons connected with the trade of Portugal were perfectly satisfied with the steps the Government had taken, and that it had been anxious to do justice.
§ Viscount Palmerstoncould assure the House that this petition should not escape the attention of the Government, and he was much obliged to the hon. Gentleman who had just sat down for doing justice to the anxiety the Government had felt to do justice to the petitioners, but there was some little difficulty in interfering in this matter, without appearing to depart from that line of neutrality which the Government 4 had determined to pursue; at the same time, occasions might arise in which it would be imperative on the Government to interfere in defending British subjects. It was true, that by the treaties between the two countries, even in case of war between England and Portugal, the subjects of this realm would have a right to remove their persons and their property without molestation; and, therefore, it did appear to him they were doubly entitled to that facility in the time of peace. It was not on the part of the merchants that any difficulty arose, the existing difficulties arose on the part of the government of Don Miguel. They were still in communication with that government, and, therefore, he was anxious that an arrangement should be made which would be satisfactory to all parties. He could not help declaring his opinion that the manner in which that warfare had been carried on by the army of Don Miguel against Oporto was unprecedented in the history of civilized countries. He could only say, Government had declared to the authorities of Don Miguel that they would hold Portugal responsible for all damage done to British property in consequence of Don Miguel's refusal to let it be withdrawn from Oporto.
§ Petition to lie on the Table.