LORD STRATHEDEN AND CAMPBELLMy Lords, I rise to ask the Government, according to the Notice I have given, Whether the reports which appeared in September last, as to the visit of Mr. Gladstone to Copenhagen were well-founded; and, whether, if they were well-founded, he had received instructions from the Foreign Office to direct him? Not only have I no desire to address the House at length, but I have determined to avoid it, because the reply of the Government may lead to subsequent proceedings, on which opinions would more properly be given. It is only necessary to observe that the reports, of what is alleged to have taken place at Copenhagen, were uniform in nearly all the journals of the United Kingdom and the Continent. It is admitted that no event during the autumn produced more criticism and reflection. But still, officially, we know nothing whatever. If the accepted statements were untrue, it is just to the right hon. Gentleman the First Lord of the Treasury to mention it. If, while they are well-founded, he had instructions and proceeded on some kind diplomatic mission, it is just to him to mention it. If the incident arose, but rests on his responsibility alone, it is just to the remainder of the Cabinet that such a declaration should be given. No doubt, I am exposed to the remark, that during the last four weeks the subject might have been alluded to; but Parliament has been so much absorbed by the vicissitudes of Egypt, that there appeared to be sufficient reason for delaying it. I 327 therefore put the. Question on the Paper, and remind the Government that it cannot be disposed of by levity or persiflage, although it may admit a satisfactory reply.
§ EARL GRANVILLEMy Lords, I am extremely obliged to my noble Friend (Lord Stratheden and Campbell) for the solicitude which he has shown for Mr. Gladstone on the one hand and for his Colleagues on the other, and I hope I shall treat the subject with all the gravity—though it is a little difficult to treat it with gravity—that it deserves. In his Question, the noble Lord asks me whether the accounts published in September last were well founded? Now, my Lords, if I recollect aright, the accounts of that meeting were so very numerous, and contained so exceedingly different versions of what was supposed to have passed, that I am glad my noble Friend has spared your Lordships the infliction of hearing them read. However, as I have said, they were exceedingly numerous and exceedingly different, and I did not know, until I heard my noble Friend's speech, which of them his Question referred to. I cannot help being a little surprised that my noble Friend, with his well-stored mind, and the attention which he has paid to public affairs, should have thought it possible, after six months' reflection on the circumstances, that either Mr. Gladstone should, without the knowledge of his Sovereign and his Colleagues, have undertaken a diplomatic negotiation on his own account; or, on the other hand, that the Government, wishing to come to some understanding with the Court of Russia, should have taken such a mysterious mode of carrying out their purpose as to send the Prime Minister out in an enormous steamer to carry out their object. I happen to know the facts of this matter, and they are these. Mr. Gladstone accepted an invitation from Sir Donald Currie to take a cruise on the West Coast of Scotland. Owing to the speed of the vessel it arrived at the Island of Orkney sooner than it was expected to do. One of the guests of Sir Donald Currie—not Mr. Gladstone—expressed a strong wish to be taken to see a little of Norway. Sir Donald Currie consented; Mr. Gladstone did not object, and, being at Norway, they were tempted to extend their voyage 328 further on to Copenhagen. As regards the Emperor of Russia and his suite, and Mr. Gladstone and his friends, not a single word on any political subject passed of any kind whatever. I am really not sure that it is quite respectful to your Lordships, or to the Prime Minister, to give these details about a holiday trip taken immediately after the termination of a hard Session. They will, however, serve a useful purpose in disabusing my noble Friend's mind of the mysterious views which he entertains with regard to this question.
LORD ORANMORE AND BROWNEI must say that I think the noble Earl opposite (Earl Granville) has treated us to an extremely pretty and interesting nursery tale.
LORD STRATHEDEN AND CAMPBELLThe noble Earl the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has been inaccurate in speaking of my "mysterious views" on the occurrence. As yet I have refrained from giving my views upon it. But I rose again only that no error may exist as to the answer of the noble Earl and of the Government. I understand it to be that the right hon. Gentleman the First Lord of the Treasury proceeded to Copenhagen with no instructions from the Foreign Office?
§ EARL GRANVILLEAbsolutely none.