§ Mr. Robinsonbegged to ask the noble Lord whether he could give the House any information as to the state of the negotiations between the Queen of Portugal and his Majesty's Government affecting the commercial relations of the two countries? Another question he desired to ask the noble Lord was, whether his Majesty's Government had consented to annul the treaty which existed with the State of Frankfort, by which that State was excluded from joining, without the consent of this country, the German Confederation? If the consent of this country had been given, he should be obliged by the noble Lord stating on what grounds.
§ Viscount Palmerston, was not able to report to the House that the negotiation carrying on for a new commercial treaty with Portugal had been brought to a satisfactory termination; it was proceeding, however, and he should hope that it would be attended by a satisfactory result. But at the same time be would remark, that the House must have seen by the public channels, that undoubtedly there were symptoms on the part of the Portuguese Government, of opinions on the subject of trade and commerce being entertained which were not very favourable to the conclusion of a treaty on terms of recipro- 857 cal advantage to the two countries. The hon. Gentleman must know that a tariff had been lately proposed to the Portuguese Chamber, which would be inconsistent with anything like an endeavour to establish on a liberal and advantageous footing the commerce between this country and that. He hoped, however, that the Government of Portugal would be found too enlightened to give their support to such injurious propositions. But should they be carried into effect, it would then be for the Government of this country and for Parliament to consider what steps it was necessary for this country to take, so that we might shape our course according to theirs. With regard to Frankfort, it was true that four years ago this country concluded a convention with that state, by one article of which it was precluded from making any alteration in its then existing tariff without the consent of England. It having been represented to his Majesty's Government that it was indispensable to the well-being and prosperity of Frankfort, and through that country to the well-being and prosperity of the British interests, that Frankfort should be allowed to associate itself in the German union—on that representation being made as to the state of Frankfort a subsequent convention was entered into releasing Frankfort from that which was a bar to her joining the German union, and since then the junction of Frankfort with that union had been formed. The convention to which he adverted would be speedily laid upon the Table of the House, and hon. Gentlemen would then have an opportunity of judging as to its propriety.