§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the raid recently made by Abyssinian troops at Massowah, was made in consequence of an Abyssinian sent by the King of Abyssinia with a letter to Her Majesty's Consul General in Egypt having been seized at Massowah and drowned; and, whether, in revenge, his escort, who had accompanied him, carried off in the raid Colonel Mitchell, an American officer attached to the Egyptian Staff?
§ MR. BOURKEI have no doubt that my hon. Friend will be happy to learn 1851 that our Consul General in Egypt has reported to us by telegram that he has satisfied himself that the report alluded to is absolutely false, and that the murder of this individual never did take place. Colonel Gordon says he is quite sure if such a thing had occurred King John would have reported it either to him or the commander of one of Her Majesty's ships at Massowah; therefore, he is quite sure it did not take place.
§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFColonel Mitchell?
§ MR. BOURKEWe have heard nothing about Colonel Mitchell. My hon. Friend asks whether Colonel Mitchell's capture was not in consequence of the murder of this individual? We have sent a telegram asking for further information on the whole subject, and when a reply is received I shall lay it on the Table.
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, in accordance with his reply on Thursday last, the Foreign Office has instructed the British Consul General at Cairo to inquire of the Khedive what became of the Abyssinian Envoy last December?
§ MR. BOURKEYes; in accordance with the reply which I gave last Thursday, the Foreign Office have instructed Her Majesty's Consul General in Egypt to make inquiries on this subject; and he has reported that there is no doubt whatever as to the safe return of the Envoy to Abyssinia. His return has been reported by Retif Pasha at Massowah, and has also been confirmed by the French Vice Consul at Massowah.