HC Deb 01 June 1832 vol 13 cc307-9
Sir Richard Vyvyan

I have a question to put to the noble Lord, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in which, I think, the honour of the country is much interested. I have this day heard a report in circulation, stating that an expedition has been fitted out from this country for Portugal; and there is also an appointment in the last Gazette of a certain noble Lord to a special mission to that country. As I am one of those who do not wish to interfere in the affairs of Portugal, and am most especially averse to any warlike interference, I cannot help expressing my surprise at an expedition of such magnitude having been sent out; and I wish to ask, whether its object is to interfere in the affairs of Portugal; and whether either Lord William Russell or the officer commanding the troops has orders to interfere in any event?

Viscount Palmerston

In reply to the question put to me by the hon. Baronet, I beg to say, that I shall confine myself to the statement which I made on a former occasion—namely, that the Government had determined, and made known its determination, to preserve a strict neutrality in the contest that was daily expected to take place between the two princes of the House of Braganza, so long as other powers preserved the same neutrality; but if other powers did not preserve that neutrality, then the Government would be prepared to act in such a manner as it might think fitting for the interests and the dignity of the country. As to the particular instructions which have been given to Lord William Russell, and to the naval officer commanding the squadron, I am persuaded that the House will feel that I should not be properly performing my duty, if I were to give to the hon. Baronet any explanation of those directions.

Sir Robert Peel

I wish to put one question to my noble friend, which I trust he will have no objection to answer, as the House is already in possession of most of the information which Government can afford on the subject. In the month of April, 1831, a demand for compensation was made on the Portuguese government, for certain grievances and losses alleged to have been suffered by British subjects; the correspondence on which subject is already before the House. I now wish to know whether the Government has made any fresh demands upon Portugal on account of similar losses and grievances, the dates of which are prior to the month of April, 1831?

Viscount Palmerston

It is true, that a few months ago a further representation to the Portuguese government was made on account of some individual claims, some of which were made previously to April, 1831.

Sir Robert Peel

I am aware that when there is a question of Breach of Privilege before the House, it is very inconvenient to enter into discussions on questions; but, I must say, that I think my noble friend ought to take an opportunity of explaining to the House, how it happens, that when a demand was made on Portugal for pecuniary compensation—a demand which apparently contained the whole of the British claims up to that date—the Government should choose the present opportunity, pregnant as it is with embarrassing circumstances to the reigning prince of Portugal, for making a fresh demand for claims, really anterior to the date of the former demand. Such a course appears to me to be utterly inconsistent with that neutrality which my noble friend professes, unless he can show that the circumstances under which the present demand is made, were not within the cognizance of the Government at the time of the last demand.

Viscount Palmerston

The simple fact is, that these claims were either not preferred or not substantiated at that time, in such a manner as to justify the Government in taking them up, and demanding compensation; and I beg to observe, that though the Government did make a demand in April, 1831, it did not state that that was the whole demand against Portugal. These claims have since been substantiated, and it then became the duty of this Government to make a fresh demand on the government of Portugal; and, so far from there being anything in this like a breach of neutrality, such a demand is well known to be perfectly compatible with the best understanding between two friendly powers.

Sir Robert Peel

It certainly was not expressly asserted, I admit, that the whole of the British claims were put forward in April, 1831; but, if I remember right, the communication from the British Government to the Portuguese government contained some such expression as this—that the Portuguese government having refused to make reparation for certain losses incurred by British subjects, his Majesty's Government had come to the determination of making the following demand: and I, therefore, must say, that though this was not a direct ultimatum, it was something very like an implied one.

Sir Richard Vyvyan

According to the statement of the noble Lord, the only ground which could possibly arise for war would be an attempt on the part of the Spaniards to interfere between the two members of the House of Braganza. He could not suppose it possible that on such grounds as these, this country could be plunged into a war.

Subject dropped.