§ Mr. Robinsonwished to know, in the first place, whether his Majesty's Ministers had received any official notification from the Government of the Queen of Portugal relative to the suspension or annulment of the treaty of Rio Janeiro, dated Feb. 19th, 1810; secondly, if so, whether his Majesty's Government had received any explanation of the motive and ulterior views of the Portuguese Government with respect to the commercial treaty; and thirdly, whether the noble Lord would object to laying upon the table 266 any communication relating to the subject which Lad been made to his Majesty's Government?
§ Viscount Palmerstonsaid, that a few days ago he received a notification from the Government of Portugal giving notice, under the provisions of the treaty of 1810, that the treaty would be suspended from the 10th of January, 1836. That announcement was accompanied with a notice from the Portuguese Government, stating that they were desirous to open a negotiation upon the subject of a new treaty, with the view of affording to each country reciprocal advantage. He could have no objection in producing the necessary extracts from the despatch, if the hon. Member chose to move for them.
§ Mr. Robinsonthen moved an humble address to his Majesty, praying him to lay before the House extracts from the correspondence which had passed between the Portuguese and his Majesty's Government relating to the treaty of Rio Janeiro, of February 19th, 1810.
§ Motion agreed to.