§ Captain Bolderostated, that an account had been published of the shooting of three English sailors or marines near Bilboa. Supposing 1196 this intelligence correct, he was anxious to know whether these men had been employed in defending Bilboa? Whether they were in uniform and armed? Whether they had been guilty of any aggression? And whether they had been shot by virtue of the decree of Don Carlos? Another important question arising out of this case, was, whether the convention of Lord Eliot extended to foreigners? If it did, he could not see how Don Carlos was to be justified for a moment in the act he had committed. He trusted that these sailors or marines had not been employed in landing guns.
§ Viscount Palmerstonreplied, that the only official information he had upon the subject was contained in a letter transmitted to him from the Admiralty, which was received from an officer in the King's service, dated 16th July. That letter stated, that three English marines, belonging to the steam vessel, called La Reina Gobernadora, having straggled to some distance from Bilboa, had been surprised and taken prisoners. One of them who made resistance had been instantly shot, and the other two had been marched about a league and a half from Bilboa, on the Orduna road, and there shot. This act had been committed, as the officer stated, in consequence of the order of Don Carlos that no foreigner taken in arms should be spared. That was, he believed, the only communication yet received on the subject. The unfortunate men were not marines in the King's service, but had been engaged in this country to act as marines in the service of the Queen of Spain. They formed part of the crew of a steam vessel, which, having been in Bilboa, had assisted in the defence of the town, and it appeared that they had been taken straggling out of the town. As this was all he knew, it was all he could communicate.
§ Subject dropped.