§ THE EARL OF MALMESBURYwished to ask the noble Earl the Foreign Secretary whether it was true that the Circassians had made a representation or presented some diplomatic paper to the Porte, asking for the interference of the Allies in favour of their independence, and also for protection against Russian aggression? He would also inquire whether the British Government had received any paper to that effect; and, if so, whether there would be any objection to laying a copy on the table of the House? He likewise desired to know whether the Foreign Secretary had any objection to lay on the table the notes presented to the English and French Governments by the Sardinian Government, and which he believed had been laid before the Sardinian Parliament?
§ THE EARL OF CLARENDONreplied, that it would have been more convenient if his noble Friend had given him notice of such questions as the present; to which, however, he would give an immediate answer. It was true that a deputation had come from Circassia to the Porte; but that deputation had not been received by Her Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople. A letter had been addressed by the Circassian chiefs, not to the British Government, but to the Queen, asking (as he believed) that their independence might be secured. That was not in consequence of the Conferences being then in progress, but occurred after the peace had been signed. The individual at the head of the deputation, and the spokesman for the Circassians, was Zafir Pasha, who was not himself a Circassian, and from whom during the two years the war lasted no favour was received by the Allies, he being anything but friendly to them. This person promised the Allies that a great number of Circassians should be ready to assist in the field, which promise he had not kept; 313 he had moreover mainly prevented the fortifications of Anapa from being destroyed; and Mr. Longworth declared he was one of the greatest enemies the Western Powers had. Under these circumstances, he did not think that these persons had any claim whatever on the British Government. He had no objection to the production of the notes asked for from the Sardinian Government to the Governments of France and England.