HC Deb 06 May 1841 vol 57 cc1491-2
Sir R. Peel

wished to know whether there had been any recent arrivals from China which would enable the noble Lord to give the House any information as to the present state of our relations with that country?

Lord J. Russell

could not say whether there had been any arrivals yesterday, but the previous arrivals had not enabled him to furnish any additional information.

Mr. Goulburn

said, that information brought by recent arrivals, had appeared in the papers of that day.

Sir R. Peel

referred to the Gazette accounts, and wished to know if the Government had ratified the treaty which had been said to have been entered into between the Plenipotentiaries of the two countries?

Lord J. Russell

said, that the Government had received information of certain preliminary arrangements which had been entered into by the Plenipotentiaries of the two Powers. Those preliminary arrangements, however, did not appear to have been ratified by the Emperor of China—indeed it did not appear that they had been finally settled between Captain Elliot and the Plenipotentiary appointed by the Chinese government. That arrangement was generally disapproved of by her Majesty's Government, but no further steps could be taken until they received further accounts, stating more particularly what that treaty contained.

Sir R. Peel

was desirous of knowing, considering the distance of the scene of operations, whether hostilities had already been discontinued?

Lord J. Russell

said, a truce had been entered into, and by the last accounts, that truce had not been put an end to, but he could not say, that hostile operations might not be recommenced.

Mr. Hume

said, he wished to know whether a report that had been circulated was correct, namely, that the Government had recalled Captain Elliot, and appointed Sir Henry Pottinger in his stead? The public were anxious to know whether such were the case.

Lord J. Russell

said, that it was true that Sir H. Pottinger had received the appointment of Plenipotentiary to China, and was about to depart immediately for that country, Captain Elliot having beeen recalled.

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