§ MR LONGFIELDsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made towards a settlement of the San Juan question, and to produce (if there should be no objection on public grounds) any correspondence which may have recently taken place between the British and American Governments on the subject?
§ LORD JOHN RUSSELLSir, the only progress which has been made towards the permanent settlement of the San Juan question is that an arrangement has been proposed on each side, but it has not yet been concluded. The last Despatch on the subject went from this country, and I expect that an answer will be made to it on the part of the Government of the United States. I must say that the conduct of General Scott, on the part of the United States, has been most conciliatory. About 800 American troops and a battery of guns had been placed on the island; 1617 but the number of men has since been reduced to 100, and the battery of guns has been entirely removed. It is also understood that 100 marines are to be stationed there on the part of the British Government, in order that there may be a joint occupation until the question is finally settled.