LORD COLIN CAMPBELLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, If he will state on what day the Telegram from Sir Bartle Frere, dated November 5th, 1878, a Copy of which is enclosed in a Despatch from Sir Bartle Frere of same date, and printed in Blue Book C. 2222, p. 8, was received at the Colonial Office; and, whether in reply to that Telegram any telegraphic message was sent to Sir Bartle Frere?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHThe telegram in question was received on the 23rd of November. No reply was sent to it because it had been practically already answered by my Despatch of the 21st of that month, and because it would not have been possible, if a telegram had been sent to Madeira, to catch the mail which left England before that which conveyed that Despatch.