§ MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether his attention has been drawn to the article in The Times of Tuesday on the treatment of British subjects in Hayti; whether he can say if the facts, so far as they relate to the case of Mr. Coles, are correctly stated in that article; whether the Government have taken any, and what, action to obtain reparation for Mr. Coles; and, whether the Government will now lay upon the Table the Papers relating to the matter?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir. JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)Generally speaking, the facts, as stated in the article in The Times, may be accepted as correct. Her Majesty's Government, having most carefully considered the matter in consultation with the Law Officers of the Crown, came to the conclusion that, under the circumstances of the case, they were entitled to demand the release of Mr. Coles; but not to claim compensation on account of his having been put upon his trial. The correspondence relating to this matter could be laid upon the Table; but I hardly think that it would be worth expense, as it would give no further and material information.