§ Mr. Roebuckbegged to ask the noble Lord the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether our negotiations with the 1162 Russian Court respecting the seizure of the Vixen had ended, and if so, whether any answer had been sent to the owners of that vessel; and again, if so, whether there would be any objection on the part of the Government to produce copies of the despatches and correspondence which had taken place between the two Governments with one another, and with the owners, together with the opinion of the law-officers of the Crown?
§ Viscount Palmerstonhad to state, in answer to the questions put to him by the hon. and learned Member, that the negotiations between the two Governments on the subject of the seizure of the Vixen had ended. The result of those negotiations had been communicated to the owners, and that communication was, that upon a full consideration of the circumstances of the case, his Majesty's Government did not think themselves justified in making any further demand upon the Russian Government. He had no objection whatever to the production of the correspondence referred to, as it was extremely proper that it should be laid before Parliament; but with regard to the opinion of the King's Advocate, he was sure that hon. Members, especially hon. and learned Members, would see that he could not comply with the hon. and learned Member's wishes. The opinions of the law-officers of the Crown were always given confidentially. He must, therefore, object to that part of the motion.