§ MAJOR REEDI wish, Sir, to ask the hon. Member for Inverness-shire whether, pending negotiations between this country and the United States, be still intends to bring forward the Motion which stands in his name for to-morrow?
§ MR. BAILLIESir, I am anxious to state, for the convenience of the House, the course which I intend to pursue in reference to the Motion of which I have given notice for to-morrow. Having heard from various quarters that it might be inconvenient to the public service to enter at the present moment upon any discussion of American affairs, I intend to give up that Motion. At the same time, I wish distinctly to state, that I have in no way changed the opinions which I had originally formed upon the subject. They have, on the contrary, only been confirmed by the papers which have been laid on the table by Her Majesty's command, and, if I now withdraw my Motion, I only do so because I would not wish to pursue a course which might be thought to be prejudicial to the public interest.
§ MR. G. H. MOORESir, I regret exceedingly to hear that the hon. Member for Inverness-shire has abandoned the task which he had undertaken, and which he was so very competent to discharge; and I regret still more to find that hon. Members around him appear to acquiesce in that decision. But though this side of the House may abdicate the functions of an Oppostion, that is no reason why this House should abdicate the functions of Parliament, and I, for one, will certainly not abdicate the privilege of an independent Member, of calling upon the House to give its opinion upon any question on which it may think it expedient for the public service that its opinion should be expressed. I think it is right, Sir, that the sense of the House should be taken on this very important question. I therefore give notice that I shall take the sense of the House upon it on the very first day on which I can obtain an opportunity, and in whatever form I may think most convenient.