HC Deb 20 May 1836 vol 33 cc1131-2
Mr. Maclean

said, as his Majesty's Government were taking a considerable part in the contest in the northern parts of Spain, he wished to ask the noble Lord if instructions had been given to the British naval force on that coast to interfere with our commercial relations? He begged to know whether, supposing that British, or Russian, or American merchants wished to carry on a trade with the adherents of Don Carlos, instructions would be given to the cruisers under Lord John Hay to prohibit them.

Viscount Palmerston

could only say, that the instructions given to the commander of the British squadron were in strict conformity with the engagements entered into by Government in the treaty of quadruple alliance.

Mr. Maclean

said, that his question was not whether the instructions issued were in the spirit of that treaty, but whether they authorised interference with our commercial relations.

Viscount Palmerston

If the hon. Gentleman asked him what the British squadron would do, he would tell the hon. Member that he could not undertake to say what steps Lord John Hay might think proper to take. But, if any case occurred in which the naval force in the execution of its instructions acted, in what the hon. Gentleman might deem an unwarrantable manner, when the hon. Member brought it forward, he would be ready to discuss it.

Mr. Maclean

said, that after the recess he should move for a copy of the instructions issued to the British naval force on the coast of Spain.

Mr. Williams Wynn

considered that his Majesty's subjects had a right to be in formed by Government whether they had a right to trade with a particular port. ["What port?"] He meant the ports occupied by those who were called insurgents—the adherents of Don Carlos.

Viscount Palmerston

said, that it was perfectly well known to merchants what restrictions were imposed by the Government of Spain on the commercial inter course of those ports with other nations.

Mr. Williams Wynn

said, that his question was, whether the British merchants were to be allowed to carry on their commerce by the British cruisers. He had not asked what the queen of Spain did, but what the king of England would do? He wished to know whether English subjects were to be left at liberty or not by the king of England's ships to carry on their trade?

Subject dropped.