§ Lord Beaumontwould take the opportunity of putting a question to the noble Earl (the Earl of Aberdeen) on 271 the subject of Servia. Since he had last brought this subject under their Lordships' attention, Russian influence had completely triumphed in the Ottoman councils, and Russia had, moreover, trumpeted forth her triumph by conferring honours, not only on her own agents, but also on the agents of other Governments, who had been instrumental in bringing that triumph about. It had also been stated that persons in the interest of Russia had been sent to the Pacha of Belgrade, directing him to proceed to the election about to take place. Servia, in short, had been reduced to the same dependent condition as Moldavia. This was a direct infringement of the independence of the Ottoman empire, which England was bound to defend. Under these circumstances he wished to ask the noble Lord the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he was willing to lay on the Table such papers as would be calculated to explain the course of the English ambassador at Constantinople?
§ The Earl of Aberdeenhad no objection to the information which the Government possessed on the subject being laid upon their Lordships' Table, but he begged to abstain from placing, that information upon their Lordships' Table at the present moment, because there was an election now going on in the country mentioned. As soon as that election was settled the papers should be laid before Parliament.