HL Deb 30 June 1852 vol 122 cc1392-3
The EARL of MALMESBURY

My Lords, in laying on your Lordships' table the conclusion of the correspondence respecting the assault on Mr. Mather, I have great satisfaction in informing your Lord- ships that our dispute with the Court of Tuscany has been entirely and satisfactorily settled. We owe this result to the ablity and tact of Sir Henry Bulwer, who, as your Lordships are aware, arrived three weeks ago at the Court of the Grand Duke of Tuscany. Having found the negotiation in a very difficult position, Sir Henry Bulwer, with his usual talent, so gained the confidence and good will of that Court, that he has obtained from them, in the most explicit manner, the recognition of the principle which Her Majesty's Government throughout these negotiations have insisted upon, namely, the recognition on the part of the Government of Tuscany of its liability to protect British subjects according to the international law of independent States. In addition to that recognition he has received from the Duke of Casigliano, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Government of Tuscany, a complete, unequivocal, and satisfactory expression of regret at all that has occurred during this disagreeable dispute. I cannot sufficiently praise the ability and tact which Sir Henry Bulwer has shown in this business, for he has concluded it by leaving our respective Courts upon such an amicable footing that at no time have our relations with the Court of Tuscany been more completely friendly than they are at this moment.

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