The Earl of Colchestersaid, that having given notice of a motion for an address to the crown, for copies of any correspondence between her Majesty's Government and the French or Spanish Governments relative to the occupation of any part of the Island of Minorca by the French Government, he wished to trouble their Lordships with a few sentences to explain his reasons for giving that notice, and also the course which he now intended to pursue on the subject. The history of the Island of Minorca had been, for the last century, mixed up with the history of this country. From its position, standing almost midway between the coast of France on the one hand, and the coast of Africa on the other, and also possessing one of the finest harbours for trade in that part of the world, it was a station of great political importance to whatever country possessed it, and on that account it had been made the subject of military contest at various times. Formerly, while the coast of France belonged to the Sovereign of that country, and the opposite coast of Africa to the Dey of Algiers, the island of Minorca was the most important position between Europe and Africa. But now, when both coasts- were in the possession of France, Minorca being a connecting link half-way between, and having a most important naval arsenal at Port Mahon, it would give to France the power of commanding the whole eastern trade of the Mediterranean. He had felt it necessary to give notice of a motion for those papers in order to show of what serious consequences would be any attempt on the part of France to effect the occupation of Minorca, so as to put her in military possession of the island, either at present or hereafter; but as he had since understood from the noble Viscount at the head of the 1097 Government, that some of the papers could not be given without inconvenience to the Government, and that he should be prepared to lay the other papers before I he House, he begged permission to withdraw his motion for the present.
§ Motion withdrawn.