HC Deb 14 June 1869 vol 196 cc1741-2
SIR HARCOURT JOHNSTONE

said, be wished to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the case of a British Sailor, of the name of Jones who has been imprisoned for twenty-three months at Barcelona, pending the confirmation of his sentence to five years in a chain-gang by the Supreme Court at Madrid, has been brought under the notice of the Foreign Office; and, if so, whether the Foreign Office will undertake to represent the case to the Spanish Government?

MR. OTWAY

said, in reply, that tie case had been brought under the notice of the Foreign Office, and it appeared this seaman had been sentenced to the punishment stated for stealing a piece of sailcloth. It seemed to be a sentence of singular severity, and representations had been made upon the matter to the Spanish Government through our Minister. The Foreign Office was informed, by telegram received on Saturday, that the matter had been referred to the Supreme Tribunal of the Marine, and the decision, it was expected, would be received in a few days.