§ MR. CUBITTsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he has received from Her Majesty's Minister at Washington any account of the death of Captain Wilfred Speer, a British subject, who was alleged to have been murdered on the night of June 7th by a soldier of the United States' Army on board a steamboat on the Missouri; and, whether he can inform the House what steps Sir Frederick Bruce is taking in the matter?
LORD STANLEYThe only account, Sir, received at the Foreign Office of the death of Captain Speer, is that forwarded by some member of his family in a letter dated the 11th of last month. A copy of that letter was sent to Sir Frederick Bruce on the 12th, with instructions to him to report in answer, and to take any such steps as might be necessary. To that Instruction no answer has yet been received at the Foreign Office, and considering that the occurrence took place on board a steamboat on the Missouri, there has hardly yet been time for such an answer to be received.