HC Deb 10 August 1860 vol 160 c1111
SIR GEORGE BOWYER

said, he rose to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps had been taken, or were intended to be taken, by Government to induce the Government of the United States to compensate Mr. Geddes, Her Majesty's Consul, for the loss of property at Greytown?

LORD JOHN RUSSELL

stated in reply, that it was the opinion of the Government, formed on legal advice, that in the case of regular hostilities by a Foreign Power, no compensation could be demanded for any loss of property which might be occasioned thereby. It was impossible, therefore, to make any official application to the Government of the United States in favour of Mr. Geddes.