§ MR. DARBY GRIFFITHsaid, he wished to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, some weeks back, a promise or engagement was not made by the present Italian Government to the French Government, to send troops to act in concert with the French in Mexico, in exchange for the retirement of French troops from the provinces of Viterbo and Velletri; and that such scheme was only abandoned in consequence of its unpopularity as soon as it transpired in Italy.
§ MR. LAYARDSir, the sources of information possessed by the hon. Gentleman as to foreign matters are so vast that we cannot keep pace with him. The Government have received no information whatever on the subject. I am not aware that such a scheme was ever publicly known in Italy, and consequently I cannot say whether it became popular or not. I know nothing whatever about it.