§ MR. DARBY GRIFFITHsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is, in his opinion, expedient that a diplomatic representative of England should interfere so far in the internal concerns of the country to which he is accredited as to prevent the appointment of a president or commander to a patriotic armed association for the defence of the country, such as the intended Nazione Armata in Sardinia, resembling in principle our own Rifle Volunteers, without the knowledge or authority of his own Government, or without having, as far as it appears, made it distinctly intelligible that such proceeding was entirely his own, and not that of his Government.
§ LORD JOHN RUSSELLI can only answer the question of the hon. Gentleman by saying that I think that the conduct of Sir James Hudson was perfectly right, and very becoming on his part. He has long resided in Sardinia, and he is a person who does not conceal his opinions. He was of opinion that the setting up of an armed force independent of the Government was very dangerous to the continuance of constitutional government in that country, and he made known his opinion to the King and the Government. I think he did what was quite right.