HC Deb 04 August 1862 vol 168 c1193
CAPTAIN JERVIS

said, he wished to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Whether any steps have been taken to obtain from the Government of Peru satisfaction for the outrages committed against Captain Melville White and Captain Cardwell?

MR. LAYARD

in reply said, the treatment by the Peruvian Government of British subjects had been such as to call for the most grave remonstrance on the part of Her Majesty's Government. The two cases referred to by the hon. and gallant Member were only examples of the unjustifiable proceedings which the Peruvian Government had taken with respect to Englishmen in Peru. Captain White had been arrested, thrown into prison, treated in the most barbarous manner, refused a statement of the charges against him, and suddenly sent out of the country. He was now preparing a statement of his case, which, as soon as it was received at the Foreign Office, would be acted upon by the Government and redress demanded for Captain White. Captain Cardwell had had the misfortune to fall into the jaws of what must in courtesy be called a Court of Justice. Until the legal proceedings were exhausted Her Majesty's Government could not interfere; but the case had been referred to the Law Officers of the Crown, and further papers were expected from Peru. When the Government were in a position to act, they would endeavor to obtain justice for Captain Cardwell. Both these cases were most serious, and the House might rest assured that Her Majesty's Government would insist on full reparation.