DR. CAMERONasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether it is true that, on the 22nd ultimo, the Marianne Notobohn, an American ship, petroleum laden, which had paid port dues at Gibraltar, and was anchored off that port by order of the port authorities, was boarded by a Spanish revenue cutter, which placed an armed guard on board, and took possession of the vessel, until an assurance was given that she should be moved nearer the Rock; whether the spot at which the incident occurred is held by the British Government to be within British waters; and, if so, whether explanations have been demanded of the Spanish Government; and, if he will lay upon the Table Papers regarding the occurrence?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYSir, the facts are as stated in the Question of the hon. Member. It appears that the vessel referred to was boarded by the Spanish authorities under the erroneous impression that she was in Spanish waters; but on representations being made to the Governor of Algeciras the guard was immediately withdrawn and the incident closed. It was therefore 585 unnecessary to address the Spanish Government; nor would it be advisable to raise controversy by publishing Papers on a matter which has been satisfactorily settled.