§ Mr. Cobdenbegged to repeat a question which he had before put to the right hon. Baronet, with respect to the vessels fitting out to take part in the Mexican war.
§ Sir Robert Peelbelieved the facts were these: Two vessels were fitting out, one at Black wall and the other at Liverpool. It was said, that those vessels were being fitted up for the Mexican government, but they were not to be the property of Mexico until they had arrived at Vera Cruz. Application had been made to the British Government to permit them to be manned with British seamen, and that permission had been refused. The hon. Member was under the impression, that one vessel was to be commanded by an officer who held a commission in her Majesty's navy. He could state that, in consequence of an application from the Texian minister on the subject, that minister had been informed that no officer in 965 her Majesty's navy would be allowed to serve the Mexican government against Texas. The Texian government had been informed, that if hostilities should take place, it was the intention of the English Government to maintain a perfect neutrality.