The Marquis of Londonderrysaid, he would take that opportunity of replying to the questions which a learned gentleman had proposed to him on a former evening, on the subject of the detention of the British vessel the Lord Collingwood by the Spanish authorities at Porto Rico. He had since 1649 learned, that government had obtained intelligence of the detention of the vessel at Porto Rico; immediately upon the receipt of which they addressed a representation upon the subject to the Court of Spain, through the British Ambassador at Madrid. The reply to this representation was, that they knew nothing of the detention of the vessel, nor of the blockade, for the alleged infringement of which she had been captured. Since this period, the condemnation of the vessel had been made known to government, who had now sent instructions to the British ambassador at the court of Spain, to make the strongest representations against the condemnation of the vessel. When an answer should be received, no time would be lost in adopting such measures as might be considered necessary to support the honour and dignity of the country. He had no hesitation in saying, that he did not think Spain was entitled to detain British vessels, trading with those parts of South America which had declared themselves independent, and had obtained a recognition of their independence from other nations.
§ Sir J. Mackintoshobserved, that the answer of the noble marquis must prove extremely satisfactory to the country. It was particularly desirable that the commercial interest should be informed that they would be protected in the exercise of their lawful rights.