CASE OF MR. SNOW HARRIS. (Hansard, 25 February 1841)

The Earl of Mount Edgecumbe
had intended to move for some papers, in order to give the first Lord of the Admiralty, whom he saw in his place, an opportunity of offering any explanation he might think proper respecting the case of Mr. Snow Harris, as to whom an idea was generally entertained that he had been unfairly treated by the Admiralty. Circumstances, however, had occurred, elsewhere which induced him to suppose that the attention of the Lords of the Admiralty was at present turned to the subject. If the noble Lord would state that such was the case he would rest content for the present; but if he stated the contrary, he would give notice that he would move for certain papers.

The Earl of Minto
said, he did not precisely understand what the noble Earl's object was.

The Earl of Mount Edgecumbe
said, he wished to know whether the Lords of the Admiralty had at present under their consideration any claim of Mr. Snow Harris to remuneration on account of his invention for preventing accidents occurring to ships by lightning?

The Earl of Minto
said, that nothing in the shape of negotiation between Mr. Harris and the Admiralty was in progress at present; but very recently—within a few days—Mr. Harris had made a claim to a large amount upon the Admiralty. The Admiralty had informed that Gentleman that they were not prepared to recommend any remuneration on such a scale as that to which he seemed to consider himself entitled. If the committee appointed on this subject adopted a plan which was more desirable than that suggested by the Gentleman alluded to, he did not say, that he might not have some ground for remuneration. There was nothing in the shape of negotiation pending at the present moment between Mr. Harris and the Admiralty. He did not mean to say, that the Admiralty was not open to consider his claims; but he could not say, that he was himself favourable to them.

The Earl of Mount Edgecumbe
understood the noble Lord to consent to entertain this claim. If his decision with regard to it did not satisfy the claims of justice, he (Lord Mount Edgecumbe) should bring forward the question again.