§ Sir R. Peelthen said, that the hon. Member for Tipperary had given notice of a motion for the production of a despatch written by his noble Friend, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on the subject of a conversation with the French Ambassador relative to the affairs of Algiers. He thought it might perhaps be convenient for the House if he at once stated, that he should lay that despatch on the Table. He had two reasons for pursuing this course. It was his wish, in the first place, as far as possible to check debates having reference to proceedings or speeches in the French Chambers; and secondly, as in the event of any discussion arising upon the subject the despatch might be referred to, he thought it would be more convenient that they should have the despatch before them, than that mangled extracts should be quoted from it. It was, of course, within the power of the right hon. Gentleman to found any motion he might please upon the subject of the despatch. If the right hon. Gentleman did so, he was quite prepared to meet the right hon. Gentleman. If there had been any misapprehension on this subject, he thought it was his duty at once to acquit the Count de St. Aulaire, the French ambassador. Every one who knew the character and high honour of that distinguished functionary, must be perfectly satisfied that if there had been any misapprehension on 138 the part of the Count de St. Aulaire, it had been entirely unintentional, and he was sure the hon. Gentleman opposite would be the first to acquit that nobleman of any error which was at all intentional.
§ The despatch was laid on the Table.