§ MR. LAYARDsaid, he would beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether the Despatches from Abyssinia have yet been received; and, if not, whether he can account for the great delay in their transmission? If they have been received, perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will be able to inform the House when he proposes to move the Vote of Thanks to Sir Robert Napier and the Army of Abyssinia?
§ MR. DISRAELISir, the Despatches have not jet been received. Some portions of the Despatches have been received; but not the Despatch which ought to be placed before the House before the Vote of Thanks is moved, and which refers particularly to the recommendations of Sir Robert Napier as to the services of the individuals engaged. The moment the remaining Despatches are received they will be placed on the table, and the House will see that it is absolutely necessary to have them. When they are received, I will give Notice of a day for moving the Vote of Thanks.
§ MR. LAYARDsaid, the delay was a little remarkable. Was the right hon. Gentleman aware that there were some persons now in town who had been present at the taking of Magdala?
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEAs I have seen the officers who have returned from Abyssinia, I will venture to answer the Question. Sir Robert Napier informed me, in a Despatch which has been laid on the Table of the House, that it was his intention to send an officer—Colonel Milward—with a Despatch containing details of the engagement which resulted in the capture of Magdala. On Saturday evening last Colonel Milward arrived, having been detained in consequence of the vessel in which he sailed getting aground. The Despatch gives full details of the action before Magdala; but the closing paragraph states that Sir Robert Napier proposed to send by the following mail a further Despatch, which would give the re-embarkation of the troops, and at the same time full particulars of the services of those whom he wished to recommend to notice. In a private letter tome Sir Robert Napier said he hoped to send this by Colonel Fraser. Very late on Saturday Colonel Fraser arrived, and left some letters at my house. The Despatch in question was not among those letters; but I have hopes that it may be among some other Papers that were sent to the Horse Guards.