The Marquess of Londonderrywished to asked the noble Viscount a question, having reference to a motion of his relative to the unfortunate officers of the Anglo-Spanish Legion, which stood on the order book for Thursday next. He wished to received some information from the noble Viscount as to the progress of the negotiation for settling the claims of those officers. He had now, since April last, earnestly urged the claims of those unfortunate persons who, for three years, had been endeavouring to procure what was justly due to them. Those individuals still hoped, from had passed in that House, that justice would at length be rendered to them. He strongly felt the propriety of their claims; and he hoped that the Session would not be allowed to pass, without some decisive statement from the noble Viscount that their demands would be liquidated. If the noble Viscount would give an assurance of that nature, he should most readily withdraw his motion which stood for Thursday. He had heard a report, that a promise had been given for a speedy payment of 50,000l., and a farther advance of 50,000l. by instalments. If the noble Viscount had any communication, or information of that kind to justify him in withdrawing his motion, he should be glad to hear it. He saw that the claims of the Portuguese officers had been favourably considered and dealt with, and it was a great reproach to the Government that the equally just claims of the unfortunate men, who had formed the Anglo-Spanish legion, had been not long since settled. He called on the noble Viscount to state distinctly in what position the negotiation now stood.
§ Viscount Melbournewas happy to be able to reply that the negotiation was very near its termination. There had been no payment as yet in money, but bills had been received in London. He could also add, that he was satisfied with the negotiation, so far as it had gone.
The Marquess of Londonderrysaid, that that declaration of the noble Viscount was satisfactory. The justice of the claims had been acknowledged by the course which 6 her Majesty's Government had taken. He, therefore, begged leave to withdraw the notice of the motion which he had given for Thursday next, but would bring it forward again before the end of the Session, unless the satisfactory statement of noble Viscount were carried into effect.