§ MR. BAILLIE COCHRANEasked the First Lord of the Treasury, If he will lay upon the Table the Circular sent by the French Secretary for Foreign Affairs in 1871, respecting the International?
MR. GLADSTONEI have, Sir, made inquiry on this subject, and I find that no such despatch has been received at the Foreign Office; there has been no such communication. There was at one time an intimation from the French Government that possibly information might be collected by them on the subject of the International, but no such information was received.
§ MR. BAILLIE COCHRANEAm I to understand that no Circular was sent to the different Courts, and to this among others, by the French Government?
MR. GLADSTONENo Circular corresponding with the terms of the Question of my hon. Friend was received here. Whether any other formal document was sent here I do not know, but nothing was sent corresponding to the document he mentions. [Subsequently, the right hon. Gentleman added.] I understood my hon. Friend to refer to a communication made to the British Government. I do not suppose he means a Circular from the French Government to French agents abroad?
§ MR. BAILLIE COCHRANEThat is what I asked for.
MR. GLADSTONEI do not think I can be expected to know what Circulars the French Government have sent to French agents.