An hon. Memberbegged to ask the right hon. Baronet at the head of the Government whether any, and if any, what progress had been made in the negotiation with France, in relation to the indemnity claimed by certain British subjects, for losses sustained in trade at Portendic, in Africa, from the conduct of the French authorities.
§ Sir R. Peelsaid, that some time ago, he believed in April, 1840, a joint commission was appointed by the Governments of this country and France, for the purpose of inquiring into the claims on account of the Portendic affair, and in the hope of coming to some satisfactory settlement. There had been frequent delays in the proceedings of the commission, but very recently the English commissioner had returned to Paris, and the proceedings were renewed. Without being able to convey a distinct impression to the House, he entertained the hope that the commissioner woud be able to come to some satisfactory conclusion. If that hope should be disappointed, and the commissioners be unable to come to any satisfactory conclusion, he would take the earliest opportunity of giving notice of the interruption.