THE MARQUESS OF CLANRICARDEinquired of the noble Earl the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Whether he will give any information the Government might have in their possession with respect to the present state of affairs, according to the last accounts, in that part of South America which borders upon the River Plate?
§ EARL RUSSELLwas understood to say that he believed there was a very large Brazilian force, consisting of eight or nine men-of-war, at the mouth of the River Plate, which had been sent there for the purpose of forcing the Government of Monte Video to yield to the Brazilian demands. Her Majesty's Minister at Monte Video had expressed a strong hope that no attempt would be made to bombard the town; that the English and French naval commanders in the River were of opinion that the town had no chance of making a successful resistance, and they hoped no attempt would be made to defend it, as otherwise there must necessarily be a very great destruction of life and property; and that orders had been given to protect British merchants and their property, which might be endangered in the event of a bombardment. Papers would shortly be laid upon the table, containing further details upon the subject.
§ House adjourned at half past Five o'clock, till To-morrow, half past Ten o'clock.