§ MR. EWARTsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any steps have been lately taken to obtain a settlement from the Brazilian Government of the large pecuniary claims of British subjects which have been so long pending; and whether there is any prospect of a settlement of those claims?
LORD STANLEYSir, the state of the case as regards the claims of British subjects on the Brazilian Government is briefly as follows:—Her Majesty's Minister at Rio de Janeiro has lately completed a very careful examination of these claims, and he has furnished a detailed statement of them to the Brazilian Government. The Brazilian Government not long ago promised that a similar examination should be made of the claims of that Government against Great Britain. The counter claims upon us are to a very large amount, and I am informed there will be considerable difficulty in getting our claims considered unless we are prepared to go into a consideration of the claims against us.