Lords Sitting of 2 March 1849

MINUTES.
Took the Oaths.—The Bishop of Cashel.
PUBLIC BILLS.—1a Relief of Distress (Ireland); Vice-Guardians of Unions (Ireland); Overseers (Cities and Boroughs).
PETITIONS PRESENTED. From Fermanagh, and the Limerick Union, for Inquiry into the Working of the present Poor Laws in Ireland.

AFFAIRS OF TUSCANY.
LORD BROUGHAMrose to ask a question of the Government, which he considered of some importance. A statement had appeared, both in the English and French newspapers, to the effect that our consul at Leghorn had recognised, or in some way given his countenance to, the insurgent Government now established in Tuscany; and it appeared that the Provisional Government now established at Leghorn had taken advantage of that fact in their proclamations. He trusted, and indeed he might say he had no doubt, that this would turn out not to be the fact. The idea of recognising every insurgent Government that might be able to establish itself for a few days, was altogether monstrous. The recognition of the Government of France in 1830 was altogether different. To recognise every Government de facto, was a proper rule; but surely no one would call any government that might be set up by a band of insurgents a de facto government.
The MARQUESS of LANSDOWNEsaid, he did not believe that the English consul at Leghorn had done anything which could be considered to amount to a recognition of the insurgent Government; but he knew nothing of the subject of his own knowledge.
House adjourned to Monday next.