§ Mr. Herrieswished to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether there was any objection to lay before the House a copy of any communication made to the Custom-house respecting the admission of tea, water borne from Canton in American craft, and afterwards shipped by British vessels. He believed that such an order had been made; and the reason why he asked whether there were any objection to lay that paper before the House was, that it appeared from one of the despatches of Captain Elliot that he insisted that such tea should not be admitted.
§ Mr. Laboucheresaid, he thought it inexpedient to depart from the ordinary 1168 practice, that of refraining from making public those confidential communications between the Board of Trade and the other Government boards. But this he might say, that her Majesty's Government had not thought it expedient to act on the suggestion of Captain Elliot. They did not see any reason why tea brought from the Chinese seas in British bottoms should be prohibited from entering our ports.
§ Mr. Herriesdid not ask for any confidential communications, but for an order which he understood had been made to admit tea brought to this country in British bottoms after being transferred from American ships. That could not be considered a confidential communication. But it was an order which everybody should be acquainted with, and certainly it ought not to be refused to the House of Commons.
§ Mr. Laboucheresaid, if any such order had been given, he thought there would be no objection to lay it before the House.