§ Lord Lyndhurstsaid that, within the last few days information had been received of the capture of Aden, a fortress on the south-west coast of Arabia, by a British force from Bombay; and that, in possessing themselves of it, a considerable slaughter of the natives had taken place. He believed that the Sultan of Aden had always been on friendly terms with the British Government; and, therefore, he begged to ask the noble Viscount whether the information to which he had alluded was true?
§ Viscount Melbournesaid, that the place to which the noble and learned Lord had referred was under the dominion of the Sultan of Aden. Some time ago an attack was made from Aden on one of Her Majesty's vessels. For that outrage satisfaction was demanded, and a full explanation was given. Afterwards a negotiation was set on foot between the East-India Company and the Sultan for the sale of the place. That negotiation was carried through, and the place was ceded; but when the force sent from Bombay for its occupation arrived the son of the Sultan said, "No; the Sultan has no authority to give up the place, and thus to compromise my rights." I must have something equiva- 208 lent for those rights." Under these circumstances the Government of Bombay thought they had a right to attack the fortress. He should have no objection to lay the papers connected with the affair on the Table.