§ MR. GRAVESsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the attention of the Foreign Office has been called to the compulsory discharge of the cargo of the steamer Caribbean at Santa Martha, on her way to Carthagena; and whether any steps have been taken for recovering possession of the cargo, or insuring due protection to British commerce during the revolution in the Columbian States?
LORD STANLEYsaid, in reply, that, in consequence of a private communication he had received that morning from his hon. Friend, he had carefully examined the despatches from that part of the world to see whether he could find any allusion to the transaction referred to but he could not find any. The story would probably reach him by the next mail. He was not surprised to hear of such a case in the state of civil war and revolution which now existed in those States. Of course it was impossible to say what action 668 or whether any action could be taken on an ex parte statement, but his hon. Friend might be sure that all that was proper would be done to protect the rights and interests of British subjects.