HC Deb 11 May 1860 vol 158 cc1113-4
MR. ROEBUCK

, in rising to call the attention of the House to the case of Mr. Spitz-Goldstein, said that during the Indian outbreak the English Government and the East India Company bought some horses in Candia. They treated with various persons for this purpose, and the British Consul at Aleppo, Mr. Skene, applied to Mr. Spitz-Goldstein, a Turkish subject, to buy some horses and camels for service in India, at the same time acknowledging the services he had rendered to the Allied Army in the Black Sea. Mr. Spitz-Goldstein accepted the offer, and on the 8th of June, 1858, Mr. Skene wrote to say he was glad he had undertaken the affair and that the matter might now be considered as settled. Mr. Spitz-Goldstein accordingly bought a number of camels and horses. A change of Government at home meanwhile took place, and while lie was waiting for the officers to come and receive the animals he was told that the whole matter was referred from Aleppo to Bagdad, that he had no claim upon the British Government, and that the British Consul had transcended his powers. Now, he wished to know whether the Government were prepared to stand upon their power as a Government and do nothing for Mr. Spitz-Goldstein, or whether they would consent, to refer the matter to arbitration, and say what claim, if any, this gentleman had upon the Government. Mr. Spitz-Goldstein was a Turkish subject, unsupported by powerful connections, and the Government had the power to be unjust, but he appealed to the noble Lord to submit the matter to arbitration. He wished therefore to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will consent to submit that case to the decision of an arbitrator to be chosen by the Government?