§ Mr. Emerson Tennentwished to ask the noble Viscount (Viscount Palmerston) whether it were true 274 that the Government of Portugal had introduced a Tariff of Duties, which, if carried into full effect, would be not only injurious to, but almost annihilate the exports of British produce to Portugal.
§ Viscount Palmerstonsaid, it was true that a Tariff of duties had been proposed by the Government of Portugal, which, if carried into effect, would be greatly injurious to our commercial intercourse with that country, though it was not directed more against the import of British goods than those of other nations. It was well known that the commercial treaty between this country and Portugal had expired with notice on the 30th of April last, and a negotiation was now going on for a new commercial treaty between the two countries. If that negotiation should not succeed, or if before it was brought to a close, the tariff should be carried into operation, it would be for the Government to propose to the House, and it would be for the House to consider, measures which would prevent other nations from obtaining commercial facilities in this country which they refused to give us.
§ Subject dropped.