Lord Ellenboroughsaid, he had acquainted the noble lord at the head of the foreign department of his intention of putting a question to him, and he would take the present opportunity of doing so. It would be recollected by their lordships, that in the month of December last a message was brought down to that House, in consequence of a communication to his majesty, from her royal highness the princess Regent of Portugal, calling for the assistance of British troops, by virtue of a treaty which was in force. These troops, their lordships knew, were sent. At that time, it was perfectly impossible that any papers should be laid before their lordships' House; because it was necessary that the troops should be sent immediately, and there was no time for their lordships to consider the grounds upon which the assistance was asked. It was, however, communicated to the House by his majesty's ministers, that they had ascertained that there were just grounds by the treaty, for the troops being sent. He therefore held it to be admitted by his majesty's government, that it was not sufficient reason for inducing parliament to the performance of that treaty, merely because such performance should be called for by Portugal, but that it was absolutely necessary that his majesty's ministers should have ascertained the justness of such application. Since that period no information had been communicated to the House. That circumstance he attributed to the disorganized state of the government, and not to any intention of withholding information on the subject. However, the present state of things in Portugal was most materially different from that in which it was when troops were sent to that country. The casus fœderis might have existed at that time; but non constat, that it existed at present. The state of things in that country was changed, because that armed rebellious force which came from Spain had been driven beyond the frontier, and was now no more. But, though such a state of affairs existed no longer, he had lately heard that one of the most important garrisons in the country had revolted, and one of the trustiest regiments broken out into mutiny. The state of Lisbon, too, was such as called for the return of the British troops to the capital. 707 From this circumstance, if their lordships trusted to the information received in this country, it was impossible for any person to contemplate the existence of the British troops in Portugal without supposing that they must be called upon—without supposing that they must be forced—to interfere in contests altogether of a civil and domestic nature. Under these circumstances, he felt it to be his duty to call upon his noble friend opposite to inform the House, whether it was the intention of government to lay upon the table any information as to the late and present state of affairs in Portugal.
Lord Dudleyreplied, that it was not the present intention of government to lay any papers before parliament on the subject. The question respecting the withdrawal of the British troops was one of great importance, and was connected with negotiations which were still pending, and which were not in a state to be laid before the public.
Lord Ellenboroughwished to be informed whether the negotiations now pending were carrying on with Portugal or with any other power.