HC Deb 23 February 1863 vol 169 cc663-4
SIR FREDERIC SMITH

asked the noble Lord the Secretary of the Admiralty, Whether he had any objection to place upon the table of the House the Correspondence that took place in the years from 1808 to 1813, inclusive, between the Admiralty and the naval commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean, respecting the advisability of having a harbour in the Adriatic for the use of the British fleet? He was desirous that the Correspondence should be produced, as he believed it would be of material value in a discussion that must take place shortly respecting the cession of the Protectorate of the Ionian Islands. When Napoleon obtained possession of Corfu in consequence of a secret article of the Treaty of Tilsit, he was so impressed with the importance of the Island that he despatched one of his best officers to hold it. There was not only a long Correspondence between the Home Government and the military commander of the British Forces in Sicily, but also between Lord Collingwood and the Admiralty, and in the latter Correspondence he thought they would find the opinion of Nelson as to the necessity for our possessing a port in the Adriatic for the use of our navy. Sir Charles Rowley in 1811, when in command of a squadron in the Adriatic, made a report, in which he stated his opinion, that if we did not obtain possession of Corfu, it was of importance that we should have the Island of Lissa, which would require but a small garrison, while Corfu required a large one. He hoped that the question of the surrender of the Ionian Islands would be well considered, as it was of great importance upon naval and military grounds. It was true there was a great difference of opinion among officers upon the question, many believing, that as we retained Malta, we did not need Corfu, and he himself was disposed to entertain that view. He should be glad to see the garrison of Corfu withdrawn, and one portion of it sent to Malta and another to Gibraltar. Still he thought it would be proper to retain some island like Lissa, where a small garrison would suffice, and to which vessels could run for repairs and for water without having to proceed to Malta. He hoped there would be no objection to the production of the Correspondence.