Lord Valletortsaid, that while he admitted the great importance of the subject to which the noble Lord had just called the attention of the House, still he felt himself fully justified in introducing for a moment another topic of much interest, and of calling for explanation with reference to it. He believed, that Ministers were placed, with respect to our foreign relations, in very difficult circumstances; and he also believed, that they were very anxious to preserve peace. But peace might be too dearly purchased, and, assuredly, it would be too dearly purchased, if to preserve it, our honour was compromised. In his opinion, the conduct which had been adopted in the case which he was about to notice did compromise the honour of this country, and was likely most seriously to affect its interests. The transaction to which he alluded was this—the French government, since the attack of their forces upon Lisbon, had taken possession of, and carried away, the whole of the Portuguese fleet, except, he believed, two schooners. Extraordinary as the fact might be, he had learnt it on information which he could not doubt, and he hoped that a satisfactory reason would be given by his Majesty's Ministers for allowing this act of spoliation to be perpetrated. If they could not prevent it, he would say for himself, unskilled as he was in the arts of diplomacy, and merely forming his opinion from the feelings which he entertained, and which he believed he entertained in common with most of his fellow countrymen—he would only say, if Ministers could not give a most satisfactory explanation, that the fleet of Admiral Codrington might have been much better employed than lying in the Downs, prepared, at a moment's notice, to assist in crushing a weak but ancient ally, who was merely striving to gain that which he thought was his just due. The only reason, he believed, that could be assigned for the conduct of Ministers was, that they fitted out this force because the proceedings of the king of Holland were hostile to the revolutionists of Belgium—perhaps, he might say, to the revolutionists of France. On this subject, he requested information from the noble Lord.
§ Viscount Palmerstonwould be obliged to the noble Lord, if he would put his question plainly and distinctly. At present he knew not what he was called on to answer.
Lord Valletortsaid, he had it from information which he could not doubt, that the French had taken possession of, and would keep, all the Portuguese fleet which they found in the Tagus at the time of the attack on Lisbon. He wished Ministers to explain to the country, why they had permitted the French to do this, without taking any measures to prevent them?
§ Viscount Palmerstonsaid, he believed, with reference to the facts, that the noble Lord was correct. All the Portuguese ships of war struck to the French, in consequence of the engagement which took place when the French fleet entered the Tagus. That portion of the fleet which took part in the action, was considered prize of war, and was retained as such. One line-of-battle ship, which was dismantled, and took no part in the action, was given up. He had no further information to give on the subject.
§ Mr. Courtenaywished to ask the noble Lord, if a war of aggression were waged against one of our allies, whether this country was not bound to interfere?
§ Viscount Palmerstondid not feel himself called upon to answer that question. If any hon. Member thought that his Majesty's Ministers, in their proceedings with foreign Powers, had not consulted the honour and character of the country—if any hon. Member believed that they had not performed their duties honestly and fairly—let him bring forward a distinct motion on the subject, and Ministers would be ready to meet it.
§ Mr. Courtenaysaid, he would take an opportunity of stating what his opinion on the subject was, and would submit a motion on the subject in a few days.