§ MR. O'KELLYasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether his attention has been called to the following statement in the "Rio News" of June 24th:—
There are yet a large number of slaves in the province of Minas Geraes, belonging to the extinct' National Brazilian Land and Mining Association,' commonly known as the 'Cocaes Company,' which are illegally held because the English law forbids slave-holding to British subjects. These slaves, however, are hired out, and their wages are regularly received and administered by the British Court of Chancery. It is altogether likely that a brief note to the British Government on this matter will secure the liberation of these unfortunate captives;and, whether the Government will take such action as will put an end to the administration of funds derived from slave labour by the Court of Chancery, and secure the liberation of the slaves illegally held as property by British subjects?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKE, in reply, said, his right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney General for Ireland had answered a previous Question on this subject, and the right hon. and learned Gentleman the Secretary of State for the Home Department yesterday referred to that Question in connection with another Company. If the hon. Member opposite (Mr. O'Kelly) would look back to the answer given by the Attorney General for Ireland a few weeks ago, he would obtain the information he required.