HC Deb 10 June 1835 vol 28 cc634-5
Dr. Bowring

rose, pursuant to notice, to move for the Correspondence between his Majesty's Consul at Tripoli and the British Government, on the contested claims to the Pachalic of that country; and also on the claims of British subjects on the Government or subjects of Tripoli. The hon. Gentleman said, he was induced to move for these papers in consequence of certain representations which had been made, and which were very generally believed, not only in this country, but in the South of Europe, that Mr. Warrington, the British Consul at Tripoli, had most imprudently and most improperly mixed himself up with the contests which had recently taken place for the Pachalic of that country. It was said that the Pacha had complained of Mr. Warrington's conduct, and requested that he might be withdrawn; but that the application had failed of the effect for which it was intended. It was rumoured further, not only that representations of Mr. Warringston's misconduct had been made by the Pacha, but by the Porte, by the Ambassadors of other Powers, and by the commercial men residing and carrying on business at Tripoli. The latter were said to have expressed great dissatisfaction at Mr. Warrington's conduct. It was not his intention to blame Mr. Warrington's conduct, or to judge of it; but he was quite sure that the House would look with great anxiety to the conduct of the Representative of British interests in a country so remote, and of such increasing importance as Tripoli. It was upon that account that he wished the House to be put in possession of such documents as the Government should think proper to produce, in order that hon. Gentlemen might know what was actually passing in that part of the world.

Sir George Grey

said, it would be very inconvenient to accede to the hon. Gentleman's Motion. Before it could be carried into effect Mr. Warrington must be written to, and the Session must pass before an answer could be obtained from Tripoli. He must add, that a corre- spondence had been begun on the subject with Mr. Warrington, and it would at least be necessary to wait for that Gentleman's reply.

Mr. Scarlett

concurred in the Motion for the production of the Papers. He thought there had been very great abuses in Tripoli, though he did not mean to make any charge against the British Consul; but he conceived that at some future period it would be the duty of the House to investigate them.

Dr. Bowring

had no wish to call for any papers, the production of which would inconvenience the Government.

The Motion was withdrawn.