§ MR. RICHARDasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether his attention has been called to a statement which appeared in the "Daily News" of 16th January, to the effect that Captain Easton, one of Her Majesty's Consuls, on returning from a visit to the Sultan of Nupé's dominions on the river Niger, had found that the natives of Onitsha, 200 miles from the mouth of the river, had been giving considerable trouble to the Europeans, whereupon he obtained the services of Her Majesty's ship "Pioneer," and bombarded the town and destroyed it; and, whether he can inform the House if this statement be correct; and, if so, whether British Consuls have authority to use Her Majesty's ships to bombard and destroy towns whenever the inhabitants are charged with giving trouble to Europeans?
§ MR. BOURKESir, I have not seen the statement inThe Daily News;but we have official information with respect to the circumstances to which it alludes. The statement that the town of Onitsha, some 200 miles up the Niger river, has been bombarded by Her Majesty's ship 510 Pioneeris correct, and the following are the circumstances in which the bombardment took place:—British traders have been for some time past established at Onitsha; but in consequence of the outrages committed on their properties and persons by the Natives, for which no redress could be obtained from the Chiefs, the merchants determined to withdraw altogether from that station. When about to carry this determination into effect, the Chiefs and people refused to allow them to remove their goods, and plundered some of the stores. The traders thereupon appealed for protection to Mr. Easton, the acting British Consul at Fernando Po, who happened to be on his way down the Niger, and who laid the matter before the senior naval officer on the station, and thePioneergunboat was sent up the Niger for the protection of British interests. On arriving at Onitsha steps were taken to remove the British property, which was estimated at over £20,000 in value; but while arrangements were being made to embark the property, the sailors and others engaged in this work were attacked by the Natives, and in consequence of this unprovoked aggression the Commander attacked and burnt the town. In answer to the last part of the Question, I have to say British Consuls are not authorized to bombard and destroy towns whenever the inhabitants are charged with giving trouble to Europeans; but there are exceptional occasions when it is the duty of Commanders of Her Majesty's cruisers to act promptly upon their own judgment, and particularly in those cases where British lives and property are at stake. In the present case, the conduct of the Consular and naval officers has been approved.
§ MR. RICHARDWill there be any objection to produce the Papers relating to this transaction?
§ MR. BOURKEI do not suppose there will be; but I will give a formal answer to that Question, if the hon. Gentleman will ask me again on Monday.