§ MR. GREGORYsaid, he wished to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If the attention of the Government has been called to the reported capture in Mexican Waters of the British Vessel Labuan, laden with cotton, by a cruiser of the United States?
§ MR. LAYARDIn reply, Sir, to my hon. Friend, I beg to say that the attention of Her Majesty's Government has been called to the capture of a vessel named the Labuan in the port of Matamoras. The circumstances of the case have been brought under the notice of Lord Lyons, who has made a representation to Mr. Seward on the subject. I am unable at present to state the course which will be taken in the matter, but I may mention that the Government have considered it right to order a vessel of war to proceed 1958 to the port of Matamoras for the purpose of defending British interests there.