HL Deb 18 February 1878 vol 237 cc1843-4
THE EARL OF DERBY

My Lords, I have received a telegram from Mr. Layard which, inasmuch as it contains a vindication of his personal character from attacks publicly made, and which have obtained much notoriety in this country, I think it desirable that I should make known at the earliest date. Accordingly, I shall proceed to read it to your Lordships— February 17, 1878. Great indignation is felt here at the statement attributed to Server Pasha in a telegram which appeared in The Daily News of the 7th instant. The Sultan and the Prime Minister have expressed to me their great regret at so flagrant a breach of duty on the part of a high functionary, and have promised, that justice shall be done in the matter. Server Pasha himself denies absolutely that he made the statement, and he says that the observations attributed to other members of the Turkish Mission are mere gossip. I deny that I ever encouraged the Turks to go to war or to continue the war, or ever pro- mised or encouraged them to expect material aid from England. On the contrary, I have always striven for peace. If sympathy for human suffering, a desire to uphold the interests and dignity of my country, and efforts to promote the cause of religious and civil liberty are considered offences, I confess to having been guilty of them. That is the communication I have received from Mr. Layard; and, considering what is the responsibility of Mr. Layard's position, I thought I was bound in justice to him to place that communication before the House at the earliest moment.