The National Register.
London, England, 1817-03-24 00:00:00

SI, %NISH ANIENICA.

Mr. Itnnt Guist, pursuant to notice, nuwed. " That an
humble address lie presented to the I'riace Regent, praying,
that tittle be laid before the House copies of any treaties or
conventions relative to the cession of Monte Video to Por-
tugal; and of any correspondence respecting the same, so far
as such corrtspondence could be consinunicated without in-
jury to the public service."
Lord CASTLEREAGH said, that this Government was in no
degree party to any foreign treaty on this subject; bet had
reatainell quite neutral. As to Marshal Iteresfurd, h:s duties
ought not to be confoowited rho... officer.
While he was in the service of the Crown of Portugal, he must
not be considered as acting for this country. He should de-
precate the discussion in its present shape; anti could not
think it consistent with his public duty to lay any docitinenta
before the House. . . .

Mr. PONSONBY asked, whether it were true, that this Go-
verntnent haul interfered with the United States, as to the
conduct ss hich its citizens ought to pursue towards the Spa-
nish prov; nee, ? He had asked this question yesterday, but the
Noble Lord was not then in his place.
Lord CASTI EREAGII said, the measures adopted by North
America had been taken solely and exclusively upon a view
of what became her and her ow n power.
Mr. Poissosinv then desired to call the attention of the
House to a treaty of alliance between Spain and this country,
dated sth July, 1814. The Noble Lord haul said, that our
relation with Spain was one of strict neutrality ; but, by the
third article of this treaty, it was stated, that his Britannic
Majest, being anxious that the subjects of the revolted pro-
vinces should return to their lawful Sovereign, engaged not
to furnish arms to them. This treaty, it appeared, was signed
by Sir H. Wellesley: he sheold, therefore, move for copies of
ail instructions sent to Sir H. Wellesley, under which he was
authorized to sign it.
Lord CASTLEREACII was astcnished that the Right Han.
Gentleman had not brought forward this question sooner; the
treaty had been on the table nearly two years. Ile would
merely state, therefule, that the principle of mediation had
been taken up and acted upon; but not having succeeded, it
was the wish of' this Goverment to void ribute to the restora.
ti (((( rit the provinces, provided it could be done consistently
with the ri tattoos esistiog between swain and this country.
Mr. lielitGllAM observed, that, by the second article, his
Cathohe Majesty espressed his concurrence with the senti.
moo., of bia Ile 08,,hav maje.i v, as to the injustice and Wm.
'nano), of continuing the African slave trade. But how had
his Catholic Majest acted ? In what way had he shown his
abhorrence of this unjust and inhuman traffic? Truly, by im-
porting 20,tf00 slits u s into Luba, and 4.e000 into i'mtie: 1.
(lbw.) He now wished to know, whether any correspondence
had taken ',lace het wet it this Government and Old Spain re-
lath e to these proceedings.
Lord CASTLERLAGII said, a negociation was now pending,
and therefore he was unable to cise a final answer.
Mr. W. SMITH bronchi up the Report of OW Committee on
the Highland Roads. Ordered to be pointed.