§ Mr. Milneswished to put a question to the noble Lord on a 81 subject of great importance—the war between the Sultan and the Pasha of Egypt. As hostilities had commenced, he would ask the noble Lord whether he were aware of the negotiations said to have been begun between Marshal Soult and the Pasha of Egypt for the purpose of putting a stop to the war, and that a chargé d'affaires had been sent out to say, that if the Pasha would only cease hostilities, the Five Powers would arrange affairs? Was it true, that in consequence of that message, the Pasha had addressed a letter to his son, who was in command of the army, desiring him to await the arrangement of affairs by the Five great Powers? And, if so, he wished to ask the noble Lord whether this was the isolated act of Marshal Soult, or whether the noble Lord was cognizant and approved of it? He was the more anxious to put this question, because it had been the subject of discussion in the French senate.
§ Viscount Palmerstonhad great satisfaction in answering, that the English and French Governments perfectly understood each other, and were acting in concert with regard to these important matters. The French Government had signified their intention to send one officer to Alexandria, and another to Constantinople, for the purpose of endeavouring to effect a suspension of hostilities; and not only Great Britain and France, but also Russia, Prussia, and Austria, had all evinced a strong and sincere desire to bring about some arrangement, by which Europe might avoid the present danger with which she was threatened by the hostilities between Turkey and Egypt.
§ Mr. Milneshad another question to ask with regard to the state of our relations with Persia. He understood that our ambassador had withdrawn from the Persian court, and he begged to know whether the noble Lord was aware of any satisfaction having been given on that question.
§ Viscount Palmerstoncould only answer that the Persian ambassador was told at Constantinople, Vienna, and Paris, that be could not be received in this country, until the government of Persia had given the satisfaction which had been asked for. The Persian ambassador, considering, however, that he might facilitate the business by going forward to London, had arrived here; but as the ambassador had not shown that satisfaction had been 82 given, he had not felt it to be consistent with his duty to receive him officially.