§ MR. CLOUGH (Portsmouth)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs a question of which I have given him private, notice—namely, what steps, if any, have been taken for the protection of British life and property at Rio de Janeiro?
§ SIR E. GREYHer Majesty's ships. Sirius and Beagle are now in Rio harbour, and the Racer is under orders to proceed there. Ships of war belonging to France, Germany, Italy, Portugal,: and the United States are also on the; spot or on the road to Rio, for the protection of neutral shipping. Communications with Her Majesty's Minister have; necessarily been brief; he has reported, that trade is paralysed, and that it is impossible for vessels to unload cargo for want of labour and lighters. He has requested Her Majesty's Representatives at Buenos Ayres and Montevideo to warn British merchants and others interested of the risks attending shipments to Rio. In a telegram received on Saturday night he reports that the commanders of the neutral ships of war were endeavouring to prevent the bombardment of the town by the insurgent, vessel.