§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, I wish to ask the noble Earl the Leader of the House (Earl Granville) a Question of which I have given him Notice. He will doubtless have observed in the newspapers of to-day what 1527 professes to be a translation of the Proclamation issued by General Gordon, with respect to the trading in slaves in the Soudan. There are two versions of it; one of which appeared in The Times, and the other coming through Reuter's Agency. I wish to ask the noble Earl, Whether either of them is a correct representation of the document really issued by General Gordon; and, if that is the case, whether it has received the approval of Her Majesty's Government?
§ EARL GRANVILLEMy Lords, I have also observed the two newspaper versions of the Proclamation. One of them does not apply to the trade in slaves, but to the domestics in slavery in the Soudan. I have also received a telegram from Sir Evelyn Baring, to the effect that he has not yet received the text of the Proclamation. Of course, the noble Marquess will understand that, in regard to any Proclamation, until Her Majesty's Government have had an opportunity of reading it, they will be unable to express any opinion with regard to it. I may add, however, that, as far as our information goes, the confidence of Her Majesty's Government in General Gordon on this particular point is still undiminished.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYI quite understand that all the answers of the noble Earl for some time to come will end with that formula. What I rise to ask is, whether he is at all aware of the species of conveyance Sir Evelyn Baring is using to obtain the Proclamation of General Gordon? The newspapers have received it by telegraph. Is Sir Evelyn Baring waiting for a Nile boat, or any similar mode of conveyance?
§ EARL GRANVILLEI should think certainly not, and that he is likely to use the telegraph. As to the formula expressing confidence in General Gordon, to which the noble Marquess alluded, I think it is a remarkably good formula.