§ MR. HORSMANsaid, he rose in pursuance of the Notice he gave on Friday, of his intention to ask a Question of the Government respecting the 11th Article of the Treaty. He had reason to believe that there was on the part of the French Government a disposition expressed not to insist upon the retention of that Article. He now begged to ask, Whether any information of the kind has been received by Her Majesty's Government—he did not mean whether any official information had been made to the British Government [Cries of"Order."] He was only endeavouring to make his Question intelligible. He should wish to know from his noble Friend whether the report that such a disposition has been expressed by the French Government is true; and, if true, whether 1842 it has led to any communication between the two Governments likely to lead to any modification of the 11th Article.
§ LORD JOHN RUSSELLsaid, there bad been a communication from the French Government, but not to the effect supposed by the right hon. Gentleman. It was rather one to the effect, that if any strong desire was expressed on the part of the English Government for an alteration of the 11th Article, the French Government would be disposed to modify it, but not to give it up. Her Majesty's Government had returned a very positive answer to the French Government that they had no wish to ask nor to propose to the French Government to make any alteration in it.