§ MR. J. WILSONasked whether infor- 752 mation had not been received from Rio de Janeiro by the last arrival thence, that the Brazilian Government had issued a decree imposing a differential duty of one-third extra from and after the 1st of July next upon all ships, and their cargoes, entering Brazilian ports from countries where Brazilian ships were not received upon the terms of the most favoured nations—a decree which at the present moment would include English ships.
§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTONhad received a few days ago from Lord Howden a Brazilian newspaper, containing a copy of a decree which tallied with the account given by the hon. Member. It stated, with reference to a former decree of 1844, that from the 1st of July next an addition of one-third would be made to all customs duties upon the cargoes of vessels coming from countries which should not place Brazilian vessels upon the footing of those of the most favoured nations. It stated that, with regard to those countries which now gave this advantage to Brazilian ships, the existing indulgence should be continued to them only until the 1st of July next, unless they should bind themselves by convention to continue that advantage to Brazilian ships for a specific period.