§ EARL GRANVILLEMy Lords, some misunderstanding has been caused by the answers which have been given to Questions which were not quite similar in the two Houses of Parliament respecting the instructions to Sir Bartle Frere. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is reported to have said yesterday evening that Sir Bartle Frere had instructions, both negative as to what he was not to do in the policy of annexation and other things of that sort, and positive as to the object which he was to aim at in taking the steps he was to take to preserve the British Colonies from the danger by which they have been threatened by the overwhelming power of the Zulu Force. The noble Earl (Earl Cadogan) on Friday referred to the indications which are given in the despatch of March 20 of the opinion of the Government on these points; and he 1782 read an extract exactly in the same sense, but going no further, from a despatch of April 10. He observed that it was impossible for Her Majesty's Government to give more definite instructions till they had received the opinion of Sir Bartle Frere. The point which does not seem to have been cleared up in either House is this—whether Sir Bartle Frere is at liberty, in case the King of the Zulus makes any acceptable proposals, to take any steps at all, or is to refer the matter home, with a necessary delay of about two months. In the despatch of March 20, he is strictly desired to submit all demands and stipulations for the approval of Her Majesty's Government before peace is concluded; and, again, he is directed to avoid taking any decided step or committing himself to any positive conclusion respecting any of the questions until he has received instructions from Her Majesty's Government. My Question is, Whether any such further instructions have been sent to Sir Bartle Frere which enable him to act upon any proposals for peace without further reference to Her Majesty's Government.
§ EARL CADOGANI have gathered from the ordinary sources of information that some misapprehension seems to exist, of the nature alluded to by the noble Earl, as to an apparent discrepancy between the answer given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the answer I had the honour of giving to the noble Earl. My Lords, I cannot acknowledge on my own part that any such discrepancy exists. The noble Earl asked me, a few nights ago, whether since the despatch, contained in the last Blue Book on the Table of your Lordships' House, any further instructions had been sent to Sir Bartle Frere with regard to the proposals of peace to be made to the King of Zululand. If the noble Earl had limited himself to asking that Question, my answer would have been a very simple one. I would have told him that no further instructions had been sent with regard to the articles of peace to be proposed; but that another despatch had been addressed to Sir Bartle Frere since the 20th of March—namely, on the 10th of April—giving general instructions to the High Commissioner, and expressing an earnest hope on the part of Her Majesty's Government that the military operations now being 1783 carried on would be directed to the bringing about of peace at the earliest possible opportunity. With regard to the instructions conveyed in the despatch of March 20, I can only repeat what I stated the other night—that in that dispatch the opinion of the Government was very clearly stated on at least two most important points contained in the Ultimatum presented by Sir Bartle Frere. It informed him that Her Majesty's Government would insist on the establishment of a British Resident in Zululand; and, further, that they were determined to insist on the disbandment of the Zulu Army—that is to say, the modification of the military system in Zululand. The noble Earl, formerly the Secretary of State for the Colonies (the Earl of Kimberley), stated that he considered that no instructions, or rather that only negative instructions, had been sent, and that Sir Bartle Frere had at this moment no means of knowing the terms on which he was to enter into the consideration of conditions of peace, should negotiations commence. My Lords, I believe the matter stands thus. If Sir Bartle Frere has an opportunity of commencing negotiations for peace with the King of the Zulus, he has ample instructions—ample knowledge of the views of Her Majesty's Government as to the main points upon which such negotiations should be framed. Further than that, no instructions have been sent to him. Although, as I understand, he certainly has full liberty to commence negotiations, he can take no decided step without previously obtaining the sanction of Her Majesty's Government—a limitation to which, after the proceedings in this House at an earlier part of the Session, the noble Earl and his Friends will probably not object.
THE EARL OF KIMBERLEYsaid, his recollection was rather at variance with the explanation now given. He understood the other evening that Her Majesty's Government were waiting for some further information from Sir Bartle Frere before they could be in a condition to give him instructions as to the terms of peace. He now understood that further instructions had been given which contained the principles on which Sir Bartle Frere might negotiate.
§ EARL CADOGANI wish to be clearly understood. I do not mean to say that further instructions as to conditions of 1784 peace have been given to Sir Bartle Frere besides those contained in the despatch of March 20.
THE EARL OF KIMBERLEYThe noble Earl says Her Majesty's Government are awaiting further information from Sir Bartle Frere. I beg to ask the noble Earl whether that is the position of the matter?
§ EARL CADOGANIn the despatch of the 20th of March, Her Majesty's Government have asked the opinion of Sir Bartle Frere as to certain matters, and I think your Lordships will be of opinion that it is natural that no further instructions should be sent to him until his replies have been received.
§ EARL GRANVILLEsaid, that nothing could be fairer than the statement of the noble Earl; but still this matter was not quite clear. He was still at a loss to know whether Sir Bartle Frere was in a position to come to a positive conclusion without receiving further instructions from Her Majesty's Government.
§ THE EARL OF BEACONSFIELDI think, my Lords, it is unusual that a subject of this importance should be brought on without some notice. I may say that, in my opinion, Sir Bartle Frere is sufficiently acquainted now with the general views of the Government on what I consider the vital grounds upon which peace may be re-established to act for himself. It is unfortunate that the means of communication are so difficult—but, at all events, he is fully acquainted with the leading principles on which we expect peace to be established between Her Majesty and the King of the Zulus. There may be reserve as to details, and it is impossible but that such should be the case, as the means of communication with Sir Bartle Frere is not easy. No doubt, it will be necessary that Sir Bartle Frere should consult the Government further; but at present he may enter upon negotiations for peace with a thorough knowledge of the main principles of the policy of the Government.
§ EARL GRANVILLEWould there be any objection to producing the Papers which give Sir Bartle Frere the authority he possesses?
§ THE EARL OF BEACONSFIELDI understand that further Papers will shortly be laid upon the Table, and from them, no doubt, the noble Earl will obtain the information he desires.