§ MR. STANSFELDsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, When the despatches received from Sir Robert Napier will be published?
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEsaid, the despatches received from Sir Robert Napier were extremely short, nothing more in fact than the telegraphic despatches which had been published communicating the facts of the release of the captives, the storming of Magdala, and the death of the King. A subsequent despatch announced that the troops were on their way home. There was some reason to suppose that despatches had been written and sent, but which, however, had not yet reached the Government. It was, however, hoped that they would be received before the Motion of which his right hon. Friend the First Minister had given Notice. But the information which the Government already possessed was sufficient to justify that Motion. The circumstances of the campaign were peculiar in this respect, that they had received information by telegraph which of course anticipated the written despatches.
CAPTAIN VIVIANsaid, he would beg to ask, If any later information had been received from the troops than the 18th of April?
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEsaid, the last telegram received by the Government was dated the 18th April, and the troops were then encamped on the plateau of Dalanta.
§ MR. LAYARDsaid, that no information with regard to the Expedition had been laid before the House. He wished to know, Whether the Despatches already re- 717 ceived would not be presented to Parliament before Friday next?
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEreplied that a collection of the despatches of Sir Robert Napier from the time the troops landed in Abyssinia until now were in course of preparation, and would be laid upon the table, bringing the information down to the latest date, and will be in the hands of hon. Members before the Vote of Thanks is proposed.