§ MR. GOURLEY (Sunderland)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has received any authentic information, either from the French Government or that of Newfoundland, relative to the alleged landing of French blue-jackets on the French shore; whether he can state the nature of the negotiations now in progress for 515 the purpose of bringing about an amicable settlement, or if it is correct that the Newfoundland Government are willing to repeal the Bait Act, providing the French repeal the Bounty Act of 1883; and if he has received any information, official or otherwise, regarding the alleged refusal of some of the inhabitants to pay Customs Duties, and that steamers trading between Newfoundland and Canada have been unable to unload their cargoes?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONI have already stated that the only foundation for the reported landing of French sailors or marines was that a French officer landed in uniform at the wharf and gave a notice with regard to some fishing nets. Nothing can be said as regards the negotiations until Her Majesty's Government have had an opportunity of conferring with Sir W. Whiteway. No information has been received as to a refusal to pay Customs Dues.