§ The EARL of HARROWBYsaid, he had observed in one of the morning newspapers what professed to be an official copy of a convention to re-establish relations of friendship between France and the Argentine Confederation, which had been agreed upon between Generals Rosas and Oribe and the French Admiral Le Predeur. According to this convention, General Oribe, was to be acknowledged as President of the Republic of Uruguay. The articles of the convention were completely at variance with all the expectations which had been held out in that House; and he wished to ask whether the President of the Council was aware that a document of this kind had been presented to the French Government, and had received their sanction? He (the Earl of Harrowby) would urge Her Majesty's Government to use their influence with the French Government, with a view to prevent the independence of the Republic of Uruguay from being destroyed—that republic having been placed virtually under the protection of England.
§ The MARQUESS of LANSDOWNEstated that he had no knowledge of the specific terms of the treaty to which the noble Earl referred beyond what he had derived from the source mentioned by the noble Earl—the newspaper published that day. This was a transaction between the French Republic and General Rosas, President of the Agentine Republic, and Her Majesty's Government could have no official knowledge on the subject that was not obtained from communications from the French Government. Her Majesty's Government had taken measures to be apprised of the ratification of such a treaty; but, according to the last information they had received, no determination could be come to on this matter by the French Government until the return of the President of the French Republic from a lengthened journey. He (the Marquess of Lansdowne) must, therefore, decline stating what steps Her Majesty's Government might think it advisable to take until they had received communications from the French Government, expressing their views upon the question.