§ LORD JOHN RUSSELLsaid, that his hon. Friend the Member for Finsbury (Mr. T. Duncombe) had given notice that he would On the following day make a Motion with respect to the occupation of Rome by French troops, and of certain other parts of Italy by Austrian troops. In the present state of public affairs, the discussion of such a Motion would be attended with inconvenience, and he hoped, therefore, that the hon. Member would consent to postpone it.
MR, T. DUNCOMBEsaid, that he regretted that there should exist any neces- 62 sity for the noble Lord to ask him to abstain from making this Motion at present, because he was afraid that its postponement would cause great disappointment to those who bad attended public meetings, or had presented petitions to that House upon this subject. But, under the peculiar circumstances of the ease, he saw no alternative but to accede to the request, To prevent any misrepresentation or misunderstanding on the subject, perhaps he might be permitted to state that it Was not his intention to have submitted the Motion in any spirit offensive to the French nation, or disrespectful to the ruler of their choice. On the contrary, he entertained the hope that the feelings of amity and regard existing between the people of France and those of this country, and also between the rulers of the two countries, would enable them, by acting cordially in concert on any occasion that might present itself, to over come any difficulties, from whatever quarter they might proceed.