§ MR. BARNETTsaid, he wished to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the Government has received information of an irruption of Indians from Yucatan into the Colony of British Honduras and the seizure of the town of Corosal; whether there is any reason to think this irruption has been instigated by the Mexican Governor of Campeachy; and what protection exists in the Colony, or will be provided against such hostile attacks?
§ MR. MONSELLsaid, in reply, that the Government had received information of an irruption of Indians from Yucatan into the Colony of British Honduras. There had not been, however, a seizure of the town of Corosal, but only a temporary occupation, because the inhabitants, assisted by the troops, had with great gallantry driven out the Indians. The facts that led to the belief that the proceedings of the Indians had been instigated by the Mexican Governor of Campeachy, and that the 1844 Mexican Government were responsible for what had happened, were at present under the serious consideration of Her Majesty's Government. There were two companies of a West India Regiment in the Colony, and at the time of the irruption 100 infantry and 10 artillery were sent from Jamaica to the Colony, and he thought they must have arrived there by this time. The Governor of Jamaica was at present in this country, and Her Majesty's Government were in communication with him as to what further steps should be taken for the protection of the Colony. When a decision on the subject had been come to he would be happy to give the hon. Gentleman information as to the result.