§ Dr. Bowringsaid, that some months ago a mission had left Egypt for the court of Shoa, for the purpose of entering into negotiations with the Government there, the object of which was to facilitate the intercourse of British subjects with, and the introduction of British produce into that country. What he wished to know was, whether the object of the commission had been accomplished?
§ Sir R. Peelsaid, that the mission to 188 which the hon. Member referred, had left Shoa and returned to Egypt. The accounts which the Government had received from Captain Harris were to this effect. Some months since Captain Harris sent over to this country, through the government of Bombay, stating that he had entered into conditional engagements with the king of Shoa respecting the uninterrupted admission of goods and merchandise, the produce of this country, into the territories of the king of Shoa, and he wished to know whether there was any objections on the part of the British Government to ratify the treaty. The treaty also provided for a free intercourse between her Majesty's subjects and the inhabitants of the country. In answer to that communication, her Majesty's Government had stated, that they had no objection to the ratification of the treaty. Captain Harris had been put in possession of this opinion some time since. The Government had every reason to hope, that ere this the treaty had been consented to by the king of Shoa, and that there was now no opposition to the free admission of British goods into Abyssinia, but he had as yet received no information as to the ratification of the treaty.
§ Dr. Bowring:Has any account been received of Captain Harris having left Shoa?
§ Sir R. Peel:Yes.