§ MR. MAGUIREasked the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Whether he has received any information as to the Government of the Republic of Uruguay having sent Commissioners to Paris to solicit the protection of the Emperor of the French against the Brazilian troops now besieging Monte Video; whether any similar aid has been asked from Her Majesty's Government; and, whether Her Majesty's Government has received any information by the French packet as to the condition of affairs in the river Plate, especially in reference to the threatened blockade of Monte Video, and the action, if any, taken by the Corps Diplomatique at Monte Video respecting such menace?
§ MR. LAYARDsaid, with regard to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question, Her Majesty's Government had received information that the Government of the Emperor of the French had been requested to mediate between the Governments of Monte Video and Brazil. No such request had been made of Her Majesty's Government. With regard to the third part of the question, Her Majesty's Government had been informed that the city of Paysandu, after a gallant resistance, had fallen into the hands of the combined armies; that 659 General Gomez and his principal officers had surrendered; and that the General was shot down in cold blood. The combined armies under Flores had advanced on Monte Video, but no information had been received that the place had been attacked. Instructions had been sent out to our Consul to afford all possible protection to life and property. There was no intention on our part to take any share in the contest.