§ MR. PICTON (Leicester)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a military expedition from Lagos is in contemplation, with the object of compelling the Egbas and Jebus to open the roads to the interior of West Africa, and to establish a British protectorate over these independent tribes; and, if so, what force it is proposed to employ in this expedition?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Baron H. de WORMS,) Liverpool, East ToxtethThere has been no intention of establishing a British protectorate over the tribes referred to; but it is necessary to require them to observe the Treaties they have made respecting freedom of trade, which, in the case of the Jebus, were only very recently entered into. Her Majesty's Government are in communication with the Governor of Lagos, but it would not be in the public interest to make any statement at present on the subject.
§ MR. PICTONWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether negotiation has been tried and will be tried to the utmost possible extent before resorting to violence?
§ BARON H. DE WORMSI cannot undertake to answer any further question without notice; negotiations have been tried.
§ MR. SUMMERSWill the right hon. Gentleman lay copies of the Treaties on the Table?
§ BARON H. DE WORMSI cannot answer that question.