§ EARL GRANVILLEMy Lords, in reference to a promise I made the other evening—namely, that either on Monday next or before that day I would make a statement as to the progress of the negotiations with respect to the Alabama Claims, or present the Papers on that subject—I have now to state to the House that I am afraid we shall not be able to lay those Papers on the Table this evening, so as to have them distributed by Monday morning—that, I am afraid, will be impossible; but I shall adhere to my promise of making a statement on Monday evening, whether with or without the Papers.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYWhat arrangements will be made as to the Adjournment of the House? Is the question of adjourning on Monday still an open one, as was understood?
§ EARL GRANVILLEI am not certain how that stands. I gave an assurance that I would do anything the House might desire and think necessary in order to give your Lordships an opportunity for discussing the statement I had made; but I see by the Minutes that Earl Russell has given Notice that he will move that the House adjourn to the 24th instead of the 31st.
§ THE DUKE OF RICHMONDMy impression was that the question of adjournment was to be left open till after a statement to be made by the noble Earl (Earl Granville) on Monday. If that statement should be considered unsatisfactory, then I think we were to have an opportunity of discussing the question between Monday and Friday. I think that was the understanding we arrived at.
§ EARL GRANVILLEI am not sure that was exactly the understanding; but my desire was, and is, to do whatever the House might consider most convenient. I think that if a discussion should be thought necessary after my statement it would be more convenient for the House, and more convenient for the public interest, that such discussion should be taken immediately. I do not see what is to be gained by our assembling again on the 24th rather than on the 31st.