§ Mr. C. Ellisobserved, that all persons interested in our West India colonies, must naturally be anxious to obtain the information, which he had no doubt of his right hon. friend's inclination to take the earliest opportunity of affording, with regard to Martinique. He therefore requested to know whether any, and what engagements had been entered into upon the capitulation of that island, relative to the importation of its produce into this country, and also, if that business was left open, whether it was the intention of government to allow the produce of Martinique to be imported here upon the same footing as the produce of our own colonies, or if not, upon what terms?
The Chancellor of the Exchequerstated in reply, that the Gazette contained all the engagements entered into upon the capitulation of Martinique. But he had further to inform his hon. friend, that our commanders had received a peremptory order not to enter into engagements upon the subject referred to by him, and it was therefore left perfectly open. He had no difficulty in adding, that it was not the intention of government that any part of the produce of Martinique should be admitted into this country for home consumption, but merely for the purpose of exportation.