§ MR. DARBY GRIFFITHsaid, he rose to explain a misapprehension which had arisen as to some observations which 69 he made a few nights ago upon this subject. He then stated that one of the objections urged by the noble Lord at the head of the Government against the canal was that it would give foreign nations a start on the road to our Indian possessions. He had in a public journal been accused of having, in making that statement, misrepresented the noble Lord. To clear himself from that imputation he would read a statement made by the noble Lord on the 17th of July, 1857, which was to the following effect:—
In a political point of view it is objectionable as regards England, especially in connection with our Indian possessions; for it is plain that if a great canal were cut from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea there are other naval Powers with which we may have difficulties, which would have a very important start as compared with ourselves with regard to any operation that might be undertaken in the Indian Seas."—[3 Hansard, cxlvi. 1705.]
§ Main Question put, and agreed to.