§ MR. HARDCASTLEsaid, he would beg to ask the Postmaster General, Whether any negotiation has taken place with the North German Confederation on the subject of postage; and, if so, when any reduction may be expected to take place in the rates at present 1585 chargeable on letters and newspapers between England and Germany?
THE MARQUESS of HARTINGTONsaid, in reply, that negotiations took place in November last at Berlin upon this subject, but the Prussian Government demanded too high rates for the transmission of mails in transit through the North German Confederation, and the negotiations were in consequence suspended.