§ MR. SMOLLETTsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, with reference to the discussion in the House of Commons on the 23rd of July last, If any authoritative decision has been given by the Spanish Tribunals in the case of the Tornado; whether the claims of the crew for compensation for harsh and unjustifiable treatment ore still under consideration; and, if he is prepared to lay upon the Table of the House, any further Correspondence in the matter of the seizure of the ship, and the prolonged detention of the crew of that vessel?
LORD STANLEYSir, I regret to say that no authoritative decision has yet been come to on the subject. I have more than once made representations to the Spanish Government, but the answer has always been the same—that the Government could not interfere with the ordinary Courts of Law. With regard to the granting of 1564 compensation, that, I apprehend, will depend upon the decision that may be come to as to the character of the vessel, A few weeks ago I laid upon the table such Papers as I had, and since that time nothing of importance has been received.