§ On question that the House at its rising do adjourn till Monday next,
§ MR. ROEBUCKsaid, he would take that opportunity of putting the question of which be had given notice, because he did not wish to stand between the House and the Chancellor of the Exchequer's financial statement. To what Member of the Government he should address his question he did not know, but he hoped that some one amongst them would be prepared to give him an answer. It had been stated in the public papers that a Treasury Order was sent from London to Portsmouth with respect to the mode in which a reception should be given to M. Rosas; and whether the fact was so or not, it was further stated that on his arrival at Plymouth he was waited upon so soon as he reached that town by the Port Admiral, Sir John Ommanney, and the other heads of departments; that by a Treasury Order his luggage was allowed to pass through the Custom House without the usual mode of examination, and that facilities were afforded him of a very peculiar nature, in consequence of the position that he was supposed to hold. He (Mr. Roebuck) did not wish to be understood as being in the slightest degree opposed to the extension of the most complete protection and hospitality to every political refugee, no matter whatever might be his opinions. But protection and hospitality were one thing, and the courtesy of England was quite another. M. Rosas was a man in misfortune, and he had lost his power—a power which for twenty years he had exercised in a manner that was a disgrace to human nature. He (Mr. Roebuck) would not now enter into what would become matter of history; but those who knew anything of M. Rosas's history knew that there was no atrocity of which man could be guilty that this man had not committed—that there was no evil which could be inflicted on a people that he had not inflicted—that there was no mischief that could be created that he had not visited upon the comity and the commerce of nations; he had been no friend to good government, and no friend to humanity. What he (Mr. Roebuck) desired to ask the Government, as represented 6 by hon. Gentlemen opposite, was this: Was there a Treasury Order sent down from London, to facilitate M. Rosas's reception in this country? Was there any command given to any person acting in any official capacity to receive him with respect, and particularly with a degree of respect that had not been shown to any other of the many foreign refugees who had applied to our shores for an asylum?
§ The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid: Sir, I shall not follow the hon. and learned Gentleman in his invective against General Rosas. Whatever may be the character or the exploits of General Rosas, he is, at least, an individual with whom this country has often been in negotiation, and, if I am not incorrectly informed, one with whom our gracious Sovereign has entered into treaty. Therefore, it must be obvious to the House that General Rosas occupied a very important position, and has been placed in very important relations with the Crown and the people of England. With regard to the Treasury Order to which the hon. and learned Gentleman has referred, I have no hesitation in saying that that order was sent down. It was sent down as a matter of course; and although neither myself nor any other Member of Her Majesty's Government shrink from the responsibility of sanctioning that order, still I may say it was a simple matter of form, the exercise of which I do not for a moment regret. I have just this moment received the order, and I will read it to the House. I think it right, however, to mention that it invests the person in whose favour it was directed with no privilege whatever. It does not exempt his goods or chattels from any duty to which they were liable. It is merely an instruction given to the officers of Customs directing them to extend to a distinguished foreigner about to arrive in this country that courtesy in the exercise of their duties, and that ordinary hospitality to which his position entitled him. That is the nature of the Treasury Order, which I will read to the House to enable it to judge of the character of the proceedings:
Treasury Chambers, March 22, 1852.Gentlemen—General Rosas, the late ruler of the Argentine Confederation, being daily expected to arrive in England, accompanied by his daughter, on board Her Majesty's steamer Conflict, I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury to desire that you will give the necessary directions to the officers of your department at Southampton, Portsmouth, and Plymouth, 7 In order that General Rosas, in the examination of his baggage and effects, may be treated with the consideration and courtesy which are due to a person who has filled the exalted station in his country which General Rosas has filled.—I am, Gentlemen, your obedient servant,G. A. HAMILTON.The Commissioners of Customs.Sir, I do not know how a person visiting this country under the circumstances which General Rosas has visited it, and having occupied a sovereign position, and entered into negotiations with the Sovereign of this country, could have been treated in any other manner than that. With respect to the conduct of any persons in authority at Portsmouth, in the reception of General Rosas, the truth is, they did not act in consequence of any instructions received from the Government, although, as I have stated, the Government do not wish to shrink from any responsibility in the instance referred to. They only performed what, under the circumstances, they believed to be their duty; and I believe that in acting as they did they have only acted in the same manner as their predecessors.
§ MR. HUMEsaid, that the point the public would look. to was, whether the Port Admiral and other officers on this station had not stepped out of the usual course, and offered marks of attention that had never been paid in any other instance of a foreigner coming to seek refuge in this country. The most distinguished foreign refugees who had defended liberty and liberal institutions had never received anything beyond the barest civility on the part of the Government officials. He therefore wished to ask if the Government had issued any order to Admiral Ommanney and the other authorities, directing them to receive General Rosas with the unusual honours they had paid him?
§ The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI have stated most distinctly that there was no order of that kind sent; but that at the same time we entirely approve of the conduct of the officers at the station.