§ MR. T. BARINGbegged to ask the noble Lord the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs a question relative to our commercial relations with Buenos Ayres. The noble Lord would recollect that in the Speech from the Throne, on the 22nd of January, 1846, allusions were made to the difficulties that existed to the commerce of all nations by reason of the warfare that afflicted the States of the Rio de la Plata; and it was said that, in conjunction with the King of the French, this country was endeavouring to effect the pacification of these States. The British blockade had been removed; but the French blockade still continued, and had been the cause of great inconvenience and loss to those who were engaged in carrying on trade with Buenos Ayres. Ships destined to Buenos Ayres were obliged to unload their cargoes at Montevideo, and there pay ship dues amounting to several thousand pounds. In the month of August no less than 50,000l. had been levied chiefly on British goods destined to Buenos Ayres, besides paying export dues. What he wished to 968 ask the noble Lord was, whether he were prepared to state to the House, and through the House to the commercial community, the present position of the negotiations with France upon this subject, and whether there was any hope of a speedy removal of the French blockade?
§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTONIn answer to the question of the hon. Gentleman, I beg to state that Her Majesty's Government is quite aware of the great inconvenience sustained, not only by the commerce of this country, but by many other nations, by the continuance of that state of things which has so long existed in the River Plate. It is a subject which has attracted the anxious attention of Her Majesty's Government. We have been in communication with the Government of France on the subject of the blockade, and I am glad to feel it my duty to state that the Government of France has expressed and manifested the most sincere desire to co-operate with the British Government for the purpose of putting an end to that state of things; and recently it has been my duty to have communication with the Duke de Broglie, and arrangements have been come to between the two Governments to send out instructions to the British and French representatives at Buenos Ayres and Montevideo for the purpose of endeavouring to put an end to the present state of things in that country. I trust that when those instructions arrive in the River Plate, we shall have a fair prospect of seeing those hostilities terminated which have for so long a period impeded commerce in that part of the world. It will be satisfactory to the House to hear that France and England are perfectly agreed as to the course it would be advisable to adopt, should those instructions fail of effect.