§ MR. NEWDEGATEsaid, he wished to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Is it not the duty of the English Consuls who have remained in Brazil since the suspension of diplomatic relations to report to Earl Russell every thing which concerns the English Government or English interests; and have Her Majesty's Government not received from the Consul at Rio or otherwise information of a speech made in the Brazilian Senate, on the 24th of February, by M. Sinimbré, lately Minister of Justice, defending the conduct of the Under Secretary who wrote to ask the Judges to vote against Mr. Reeves, producing all the Correspondence with the British Legation, and describing Mr. Christie's Notes complaining of the Under Secretary's conduct, by order and with approval of Earl Russell, as "most impertinent?"
§ MR. LAYARDreplied, that the English Consuls had sent home Reports, but he must ask his hon. Friend not to press for an answer to his Question, as he was aware that mediation had been offered between this country and the Government of Brazil, that it had been assented to, and that negotiations were now going on; and he hoped nothing would be done which would tend to create any angry feeling on the part of the Brazilian Government; and that was the reason why he asked his hon. Friend not to press his Question.
§ MR. NEWDEGATEsaid, he felt anxious to accede to the request; but he must ask whether the case of Mr. Reeves would form part of the mediation.
§ MR. LAYARDsaid, he could not state that it would form part of the mediation, but no doubt it would form the subject of consideration on the part of the British Government.