The Earl of Winchilseabegged leave to ask the noble Viscount, whether any information had been received by her Majesty's Ministers as to the appointment of the Gentleman, Mr. Gibbon Wakefield, to whom he had last night alluded? He had also to ask, whether the information reported in the public press was correct, namely, that Sir John Colborne had resigned the command of her Majesty's troops in Canada? and whether it was true, that the Earl of Durham had applied for an additional military force?
§ Viscount Melbournesaid, he had received no information on the subject of the appointment alluded to. As to the resignation of Sir J. Colborne, he believed it was true. He was not aware of any alteration in the situation of Canada, that called for an increase of the troops in that colony.
The Earl of Winchilseawished to know whether her Majesty's Ministers, had received any communication from Sir John Colborne, on the subject of his resignation? In the present situation of Parliament, when they were on the point of separating, and when they saw this important colony so peculiarly situated, he thought that this country had a right to expect full information on every point connected with it. He could not doubt for a moment the appointment of one of the persons to whom he had before adverted, and he should now ask the noble Viscount, hoping to receive from him a plain answer, whether such an appointment as that to which he had referred in the second instance had taken place, or was likely to take place? He should say, if two such appointments did take place, that he would not be worthy of holding a seat in that House, if he allowed the session to pass without calling their Lordships' attention to the subject, and taking the sense of the House upon it.
§ Viscount Melbournesaid, he certainly did not think, that the appointment last referred to by the noble Earl had taken place. He repeated, that there was nothing in the present situation of the colony, that required a reinforcement of troops. 252 As to the resignation of Sir J. Colborne, it was no doubt true, that the gallant officer had requested that an arrangement should be made, to enable him to relinquish the command in Canada.
§ Conversation ended.