§ Mr. Robinsonsaid, he felt it his duty to call the attention of the House to a circumstance of some importance connected with the trade of Portugal. A notification had that morning been sent to Lloyd's, from the Foreign Office, to the effect, that the regency of Donna Maria intended to establish a blockade of the port of Lisbon, and all other Portuguese ports which refused to acknowledge the sovereignty of Donna Maria. It was contrary to all rule to announce an intended blockade. Notification was never made until the blockade had actually taken place.
Colonel Evansrose to order. The hon. Member had not given notice of a Motion, and it was irregular to enter into such statements when no question was before the House.
§ The Speakersaid, that though it was not regular to bring forward a Motion without notice, a Member had a right to do so if he pleased, and he supposed, that the hon. Member would conclude by a Motion.
§ Mr. Robinsonsaid, it was impossible that any communication could have been made to the Foreign Office from the Regency at Oporto since the capture of Don Miguel's fleet. He could not help admiring the gallantry of Captain Napier; but as a commercial man he must regret, that British officers and seamen had been engaged in the contest. He had suffered severely from the suspension of our commerce with Portugal. The hon. Member concluded by moving for a copy of the notification issued from the Foreign Office respecting the 672 intention of the Regency of Donna Maria to institute the blockade of Lisbon.
§ Lord Althorpsaid, that the hon. Member had a perfect right to submit his Motion without notice but he regretted, that he had done so, because it had deprived him of the opportunity of considering whether or not he ought to accede to it. The hon. Member's object appeared to be to complain of the notification which had been made to Lloyd's. He was not aware whether the notification was in the usual form; but the hon. Member must perceive, that the object was merely to warn British merchants, and he could not conceive that there was any ground to complain of that. The hon. Member had alluded to what it was impossible not to admit to be a most gallant action. The hon. Member knew, that the British officers who interfered in the contest at present going on did so at their peril. The Government could not sanction such proceedings, but at the same time it was impossible not to admire the bravery which had been displayed. If the answer which he had given the hon. Member was not so satisfactory as he could have wished, the hon. Member must attribute it to his not having given notice of his Motion.
Colonel Evansexpressed his surprise, that the hon. Member should complain either of the blockade or of the notification of it. As to the blockade itself, it was the necessary result of the extermination of Don Miguel's fleet. He (Colonel Evans) complained, on the part of the British merchants, that the hon. Member should assume to represent their feelings. The hon. Member, in the same statement, expressed his admiration of the gallantry displayed by his countrymen, and his regret that they should have engaged in the contest. This was very inconsistent. Since the question had been brought forward, he could not refrain from expressing a hope, that in consequence of the event which had recently occurred, Ministers would decide upon acknowledging the sovereignty of the lawful ruler of Portugal.
§ Sir Edward Codringtonrose to express his admiration of the gallant exploit performed by Captain Napier, which would have the effect of promoting the peace which all parties were anxiously looking for; indeed, he believed, that at the time he was speaking Donna Maria's authority was established in Portugal. He; hoped, that Ministers would hasten to recognize, her as the Queen de facto of Portugal, and so confer a boon upon commerce.
§ Motion withdrawn.