§ LORD ROBERT MONTAGUsaid, he rose to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, on what grounds the French commenced to blockade the Mexican coast on May 1st; and whether the French Government did not notify this blockade until June 5th; and why Her Majesty's Government did not give notice of the Blockade until June 17th. He also wished to know what time would be allowed to vessels now on the voyage out, or at present loading in England, to enter the Mexican ports?
§ MR. LAYARDsaid, the noble Lord was in error in supposing that the French Government had notified the blockade on the 5th of May. The notice which appeared in the Moniteur of that date did not amount to an official notification to this country. The official notice did not reach the English Embassy at Paris until the night of the 13th. On its arrival in London it was sent to the Law Officers of the Crown to be examined, and was then published in the first Gazette on the 17th. He had not received notice of the last question of the noble Lord, and could not therefore answer it satisfactorily at that moment. He would give a reply on Monday.
§ LORD ROBERT MONTAGUsaid, he wished to know whether the blockade did not commence on the 1st of May.
§ MR. LAYARDsaid, he understood that before a blockade could be properly established official notification must be given to the countries affected by it.