The Marquess of Londonderrywould take the liberty of asking the noble Viscount at the head of the Government, whether he was prepared to give any reply to the question which he put to him the other night, respecting the failure of the payment of the 1447 half-yearly instalment due from the Spanish Government to the British Legion; and which question the noble Viscount said, he would answer after he had made some inquiries on the subject?
§ Viscount Melbournewas understood to say, that instructions had been sent out to the English Ambassador at the Court of Madrid, to press these claims, and that he anticipated a favourable result from his interference. It was true that the instalment had not been paid.
The Marquess of Londonderrywished to know what instructions had been sent out to the British Ambassador at Madrid. He was surprised that Sir De Lacy Evans, placed in the situation in which he was, had not insisted before this on knowing what those instructions were. It must be particularly remarked that Sir De Lacy Evans, in his letter to George Service, Esq., the chairman of the committee of officers, stated,
That, as an additional guarantee, the Spanish Government, also deposits in the National Bank of St. Fernando, the sum of 30,000,000 of reals vellon, in 5 per cent, stock, bonds for 300,000l., at the disposal of her Britannic Majesty's Minister at Madrid, in the event, however, of the non-payment at the proper time of any half year's instalment, the British Minister at Madrid is empowered to direct the sale of the above guarantee, in order to cover the amount of such unpaid instalment, giving fifteen days' notice of such sale to the Spanish Government.Now, it would be a satisfaction to him to know if the British Minister at Madrid, had received instructions to give this notice of sale, and what were the precise steps which had been taken by the British Government to prevent these unfortunate individuals from being again thrown over and deceived by the delusive promises of Spain. He thought, that the hon. and gallant Officer who had written that letter, and who was party to this solemn negotiation and compact, was bound himself to force the question upon the attention of her Majesty's Government, unless some very good reasons to the contrary existed. He knew of none. He would not neglect his duty to these brave and unfortunate men, however others might think proper to remain silent, and if, before the dissolution, he did not receive complete satisfaction on this most important point, he should undoubtedly bring the case formally before the House.
§ Viscount Melbournesaid, that the in- 1448 structions which had been sent out to our Ambassador were, to press in the strongest manner for the fulfilment of the engagements which the Spanish Government had contracted.
§ Subject at an end.