The Marquis of Londonderrysaid, that he had just returned from France, where he had learned, that a Prince connected with this country was nominated Sovereign of Greece by the Allied Powers. It was some time since the noble Secretary for Foreign Affairs had promised to lay papers on their Table relating to the negotiations with Greece. If they were concluded, why leave Englishmen to learn the particulars of this and other parts of their foreign policy from the governments of the Continent? He likewise wished to know whether a reclamation had been made to the Prince alluded to, to forego his position of naturalization in this country? The foreign policy of the noble Secretary was singular: he had raised Don Miguel, while others wished to knock him down. No time ought, in his opinion, to be lost in clearing up the foreign policy of Great Britain. It was twenty-two months since the papers relative to Greece had been promised to their Lordships, and if they were not speedily laid on the Table, he should feel it to be his duty to make a motion on the subject.
§ The Earl of Aberdeentrusted, that in a very few days it would be in his power to bring down the papers relating to Greece. Though the noble Marquis had alluded to Don Miguel, he had put no question on Portuguese affairs, and he should therefore say nothing upon that subject.
The Marquis of Londonderrysaid, my question is plainly and simply this,—Is Prince Leopold appointed sovereign of Greece, by virtue of a treaty concluded by the Allied Powers? Has he been asked to forego his naturalization in Great Britain, in order to accept this new Sovereignty?
§ The Earl of Aberdeendid not think it incumbent upon him to answer whatever questions the noble Marquis thought proper to put, yet he had no objection to state, that his Royal Highness Prince Leopold was the personage to whom the Allied Sovereigns had offered the Sovereignty of 294 Greece. Some points of the negotiation were not however concluded; they were not fundamental, and would, he hoped, soon be settled.
§ The Duke of Wellington.—"To the other part of the noble Marquis's question, relative to the naturalization, I have no hesitation in giving an answer in the negative."