§ MR. WATT (Glasgow, Camlachie)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government have now received any information with reference to the vessel of a British subject named Philip, of Trinidad, being chased by a Venezuelan revenue cutter, who threatened to shoot him, and made off with his boat and cargo, leaving him in a destitute condition on the uninhabited Island of Patos; whether a Government official sent to the Bocas to inquire into the facts corroborated Philip's statement; whether Philip's boat and cargo have since been sold in Venezuela; and, whether the Venezuelan cutter in question has since boarded and overhauled another vessel while in British waters; and, if so, whether the Government now propose to take any action in the matter?
§ * SIR J. FERGUSSONA despatch has been received to day from the officer administering the Government of Trinidad which substantially corroborates the statements contained in the question as to the seizure of a boat belonging to one Philip Jacobin, of Trinidad. As the officer despatched to make inquiries had not, however, concluded his Report when the despatch left, it was not certain what had been done with the boat, and the evidence was in other respects not complete. A Venezuelan revenue cutter has also since boarded a Venezuelan vessel, according to the first accounts, within British waters; the master of the vessel is, however, reported to have since declared that she was beyond the three-mile limit when boarded. Her Majesty's Government must reserve any decision as to their future action till they are in complete possession of all the facts. It is understood that a further statement was sent from Trinidad by the mail of the 17th instant.