HC Deb 27 March 1863 vol 170 cc89-90
VISCOUNT PALMERSTON

Sir, with regard to the Question put to me by the hon. Member for the King's County (Mr. Hennessy) as to Poland, I am afraid I can add very little to what I stated to him on a former occasion. As I then told him, Her Majesty's Government have made a communication to the Government of Russia on the subject of Poland, very much to the same effect as the opinions which I expressed to the House when the question came under our consideration, and that we are also in communication with the Government of France with a view to joint action in the matter—that action of course being, as the hon. Gentleman said, of a diplomatic character; for I do not understand that the House has recommended any other sort of action. We are also in correspondence with other Governments who are parties to the Treaty of Vienna, for the purpose of ascertaining whether they will be disposed to support the representation which we have offered. It would be inexpedient for me to go into detailed explanations of the particular communications which have been made; but I hope that after Easter matters will be in such a state that we shall be able to lay on the table papers showing what has passed and is passing. I trust that whatever may have taken place up to that time will be deemed satisfactory to the House.