HC Deb 15 February 1842 vol 60 cc443-4
Col.Fox

desired to put a question to the right hon. Baronet, of his intention to propose which he had yesterday given notice. It had been currently reported in this country that the notorious Cabrera had been permitted by the king of the French to enter Paris. He need not enter into a description of this brave, but most notorious man, or of his proceedings in Spain, but he only asked whether this man, having been placed under surveillance in the south of France, had been permitted to enter or, at least, to approach Paris? He had pretty good authority for stating that he was in that city, or was about to enter it, and that agents were engaged in prepar- ing to originate a revolution in Spain in the ensuing month of April.

Sir Robert Peel

begged to state, in answer to the question put by the hon. and gallant Member, that her Majesty's Government had no official information whatever with respect to the arrival in Paris, or the expected arrival in Paris, of the individual referred to. At the same time, however, he might state, that the same report had reached him to which the hon. Member had referred, in reference to this matter. With regard to the second question he was unable to give any answer. It was impossible for him to say what object General Cabrera could have in going to Paris.

Colonel Fox

said, that his attention had been drawn to the circumstance in consequence of General Cabrera having been under surveillance in the south of France, which he could not have quitted without permission.

Sir R. Peel:

He could only allude to the subject for the purpose of expressing his earnest hope that the Spanish Government, should any such anticipated outbreak occur, would have strength enough to resist any machinations against its continuance.

Col.Fox

wished to ask the question as to the nature of the information in possession of the Government, with the view of refuting the report. For his own part, he did not believe that so enlightened a monarch as the king of the French would lend himself to so base a design.

Sir R. Peel

did not for a moment assume or suppose that the king of the French was cognizant of these proceedings. He (Sir R. Peel) alluded generally to the proceedings that had taken place in this, as well as other countries, and he had not the slightest grounds for supposing that the French Government would countenance any attack on the Spanish Government. He had heard that in Prussia, in this country, as well as in other countries, certain persons had entered into such engagements as had been alluded to by the gallant Colonel, but he could only once more express his earnest hope that the Spanish government would succeed in crushing such attempt.