MR,. FORSYTHIn putting the Question of which I have given Notice I would state that there were two despatches on the same date. The Question is to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether "the other Circular" of Sir Henry Bulwer to the Consuls in Turkey, dated June 11th, 1860, to which Consul Skene refers in his Report to Sir Henry Bulwer, dated Aleppo, August 2nd, 1860, in the following terms:—
I thus furnished what information I could without being aware of the motives dictating the questions, and without being in possession of the valuable instructions conveyed by the other Circular,and which "other Circular," it is stated in "the Reports received from Her Majesty's Consuls, relating to the condition of Christians in Turkey," presented to both Houses of Parliament, 1861, page 3, "had not been received," has since then been received; and, if so, whether there will be any objection to lay such "other Circular" upon the Table of the House?
§ MR. BOURKEI cannot answer the Question of my hon. and learned Friend without letting the House know the exact state of the facts with reference to the Papers. The facts are these—It appears from the Papers presented 16 years ago to this House that Sir Henry Bulwer sent two Circulars upon the subject of the treatment of the Christians in Turkey. The first is mentioned in the Papers alluded to by my hon. and learned Friend. The second despatch, which is technically called the second Circular, was merely a letter sending the questions which were sent in the same Circular, and which were afterwards answered and appeared in the Blue Books. So that the second Circular, which is alluded to by my hon. and learned Friend, and which is referred to in the despatch of Consul Skene and many other despatches, is merely an in- 1449 closing Circular sending the questions which are all set out in the Blue Book.
§ MR. FORSYTHWould there be any objection to lay it upon the Table?
§ MR. BOURKENone whatever.