§ MR. J. C. MACDONAI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that Englishmen, who, whilst endeavouring to pass the French outposts at Tamatave, in Madagascar, have been arrested and placed in close confinement, and were eventually put on board a vessel half-naked, and, according to reports, in irons; and, whether he will inquire into this case and take steps immediately to prevent any repetition of such treatment of British subjects?
§ SIR E. GREYIt appears from a report from the Acting British Consul at Tamatave that one Englishman with an American friend was arrested on the 4th of March while trying to cross the French lines. On being questioned by the Acting Consul, he said that he and 1492 his friend were not sober when arrested. The French Commandant told the Acting Consul that he would liberate the prisoner if the Acting Consul would send him out of the country. The man, who was destitute and had no chance of finding work in Tamatave, was accordingly sent to Mauritius on the 8th of March, and his passage paid by the Acting Consul. It is not stated that there was any ill-treatment.