§ SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a company of West India troops has been sent to garrison Akassa during the absence at Bida of the forces of the Niger Company; and, whether the grievances of the Brass men, stated in Sir J. Kirk's 709 Report to be such as no Government would wish to see continued, have been redressed?
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. CURZON,) Lancashire, Southport100 men of the 2nd West India Regiment have been sent to assist in holding the Delta of the Niger, including Akassa, during the operations north of Lokoja. A modus vivendi with reference to the Brass men was proposed last year. But the matter has not been finally settled, and must be again taken in hand after the return of the Company's expedition.