§ Mr. Hindleyasked whether it were true, that the Portuguese government had offered to allow the introduction of our cotton manufactures at a certain ad valorem duty, provided we admitted their wines at the same ad valorem duty? He also wished to know whether the right hon. Baronet, the First Lord of the treasury, could now give any explanation as to the state of our commercial negotiations with Spain?
§ Sir R. Peelreplied, that communications had passed between this Government and the Spanish and Portuguese governments, with the view of promoting the in crease of commercial intercourse; but, those communications not having been brought finally to a close, it was not at all consistent with his duty to state the effect of any of the proposals that had been made.