§ MR. GRIFFITHsaid, he would beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, whether, since the letter of the 6th of February, from the French Ambassador, expressing the regret of the Emperor for the publication of the Addresses in the Moniteur, there has not appeared in that paper in the same way as its predecessor of the 20th of January, asking for redress, for the information of the French public, it be the intention of Her Majesty's Government to suggest to the French Government that its publication would, in their opinion, be conducive to a satisfactory termination of the transaction.
§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTONSir, before I answer the question of the hon. Gentleman, I would wish to put a question to the House. I would ask the House what is their wish, and what is their intention on a matter of great national importance? Is it their wish and intention that those friendly and confidential relations which so happily now subsist between the Governments of England and France should be maintained? or is it their wish and intention to infuse into the relations between the two countries a spirit of irritation, of bitterness, and of animosity? Now, Sir, if the latter be their 1471 object, no more effectual course can be adopted—though not a very dignified one—than the continuance of personal attacks in this House upon the Emperor of the French and the French nation; and therefore, though I should try to prevent it, yet of course, if the House choose to pursue that course, why upon them be the responsibility of such a proceeding. If on the other hand, the House attach that importance which I attach to the maintenance of those friendly relations which have so happily subsisted between the two Governments and the two countries, I do entreat them to discourage and to discountenance the continuance of these incessant personal attacks upon that Emperor who has been the spontaneous choice of the French people. Now, Sir, with regard to the question of the hon. Member, I can only say, that it is not the intention of Her Majesty's Government to adopt a course of proceeding such as that which he has suggested, because we think that such a course would be highly improper, and if I may be permitted to say so, without meaning anything personally offensive to the hon. Gentleman, excessively absurd.