SIR STAFFORD NORTFICOTEasked the noble Lord the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the Government have received any applications from British subjects for compensation in respect of losses occasioned by the destruction of their property in vessels destroyed or captured by the "Alabama," and what course Her Majesty's Government have taken or propose to take in reference thereto?
§ VISCOUNT ENFIELDSir, Her Majesty's Government have received certain applications from British subjects for compensation in respect of losses occasioned by the destruction of vessels by the Alabama; these applications have been taken into consideration and the opinion of the Law Officers has been taken. In accordance with their opinion, the Board of Trade and the various applicants have been informed that Her Majesty's Government is not liable to British subjects for the acts of the Alabama and other similar vessels.
§ Afterwards£
§ SIR JAMES ELPHINSTONEasked the Under Secretary of State for the Foreign Department, Whether it is the intention of the Goverment to refer the claims of British subjects as against the Alabama to arbitration? He also desired to know, Whether Her Majesty's Government have received any notice of a claim in respect to the widow of Mr. Grey, chief officer of the "Saxon," who was murdered at an early period of the American War?
§ VISCOUNT ENFIELDSir, the hon. Gentleman, not having given me either public or private Notice of his Question, must excuse me making any reply to it.
§ SIR JAMES ELPHINSTONEI will give Notice of my Question on the Paper of the House.