§ Lord Sandonwould avail himself of that opportunity to ask the noble Lord whether it was the intention of his Majesty's Government to fill up the vacancy at Canton occasioned by the death of Lord Napier?
§ Viscount Palmerstonsaid, that question involved some very important considerations connected with the commerce of this country—considerations, the very importance of which, he could assure his noble Friend, was one reason why the Government had paused for so long a time with regard to any measures which it might be deemed advisable to take. By the instructions sent out to the superintendents when Lord Napier first went out there, it was ordered that every vacancy as it occurred, was to be filled up on the spot, subject to 858 the approbation of the Government at home. Pursuant to that arrangement there were now three superintendents; they were Sir G. Robinson, who had been in the service of the East-India Company, he was the senior superintendent; Captain Elliot was the second; and Mr. Johnson was the third.