§ MR. GREGORYsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any Report has recently been received as to the present condition and prospects of the Welsh Colony in Patagonia; and, if so, whether there is any objection to its production and publication?
LORD STANLEY, in reply, said, the hon. Member was probably aware that the colony met with great difficulty from the time of its first establishment, and he could not say that even now its prospects were very promising. The last Reports however were of a more satisfactory character, and the Argentine Republic, which 600 had acted throughout with great consideration towards these settlers, had announced its intention of continuing for one year longer the subsidy it at present paid them, after which time a decision would be come to whether it was expedient or politic to continue the colony or not. If it should be thought inexpedient, in that event land would be offered to the settlers in some of the interior provinces of the Argentine Confederation. He had no objection to produce the Papers.