HC Deb 23 February 1857 vol 144 c1060
MR. KINNAIRD

said, he would beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury when the Conference on the Neufchatel question was to meet; and whether there was any hope of the unhappy differences which had arisen in consequence of the late aggression on Swiss independence being brought to a speedy and satisfactory termination?

VISCOUNT PALMERSTON

Sir, no specific time is yet fixed for the meeting of the Conference on the Neufchatel affair; but I think that all the Powers have expressed their willingness to be represented. With regard to the probable settlement, all I can say is, that the Swiss Government having evinced such a conciliatory spirit of moderation by releasing their prisoners, I think there can be little doubt that the King of Prussia, when the Conference opens, will be animated by the same conciliatory spirit in the conduct of the negotiations, and that the result will be satisfactory.