§ LORD ROBERT CECILsaid, he would beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any communications have been received during the last six months, at the Foreign Office, from the American Government, or the American Minister, demanding compensation for losses occasioned to Citizens of the United States by the operations of the Alabama, or other vessels, commissioned by the Government of the Confederate States; and, if so, whether he has any objection to lay the Papers relating to such demands upon the table of the House? He would beg to add that he wished the hon. Gentleman not to understand the word "demanding" strictly.
§ MR. LAYARDIn answer to the noble Lord, I have to state that no such communications have been received from the United States Government.
§ MR. BRIGHTI wish to ask my hon. Friend, whether it is a fact that the English Government have got very numerous claims against the Government of the United 1373 States, in consequence of transactions which have occurred during the war; and, if so, whether such claims have been forwarded to that Government?
§ MR. LAYARDIn reply to the hon. Member, I have to state, that there are claims, of course, on the part of the English Government, and that they have been forwarded to the United States Government.