§ Viscount Palmerstonsaid, that in laying on the Table, by command of her Majesty, certain papers relating to the taking a pilot out of the Express packet by the French force on the coast of Mexico, he wished to avail himself of the opportunity of stating, that the papers contained some communications that had passed with the French Government on the subject; they contained the statement of the officer in command of the packet with regard to the transaction, and a letter of Count Sebastiani, containing an explanation and apology, honourable alike to the Government offering, and to the Government receiving it, and having been offered without any official demand, it was, therefore, the more honourable and creditable to the French Government. Count Sebastiani, in his communication, stated, that he was charged by the King of the French to make known to the Government of her Britannic Majesty the deep regret which the King of the French felt at hearing of the removal of a Mexican pilot by his force from the British packet-ship the Express; and he also stated, that when Admiral Baudin unfortunately directed that step to be taken, he was not aware that the vessel belonged to the British marine force. This incident, therefore, had been the result of a mistake, and in no degree arose from any want of respect to the English flag. The affair was sincerely deplored by the King of the French and his Government, as well as by the commandant of the French squadron on the coast of Mexico, who expressed an anxious hope, that no error of the kind would occur again; and it was added, that the strictest instructions had been given for the most vigilant attention, which would prevent a similar occurrence. Count Sebastiani added, that he trusted this explanation would prove satisfactory to the British Government, and that nothing would ever disturb the harmony and union which now existed between the two countries, and which both Governments had so much at heart to maintain.