§ MR. LAYARDsaid, he would withdraw his Notice, "To call attention to the Act of the 8th and 9th Victoria, chapter 122, commonly known as the 'Aberdeen Act,' and to move, That in the opinion of this House the time is now come for the repeal of that Act." He understood that the noble Lord at the head of the Foreign Office was willing to accept it, and desired to bring in a Bill to effect the object he had in view.
LORD STANLEYsaid, he entirely concurred in the view taken by the hon. Member. Whatever might have been the merits of the "Aberdeen Act," it had 719 ceased to be necessary. The Brazilian Government had kept good faith for many years past, and the slave trade with Brazil had entirely ceased; and therefore the continuance of the Act could only be a source of iritation. He had personally made no secret of his opinion; but he could not pledge himself, in the present state of Business, to bring in a Bill to repeal the Act during the present Session.