The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-23 00:00:00

THE SLAVE TRADE.

Mr. BAXTER asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if
any communications had taken place between her Ma-
jesty's Government and the Government of the United
States regarding the propriety of sending a joint squa-
dron to the coast of Cuba, for the purpose of preventing
the importation of slaves into that island?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said there
had been no communication between the Government of
her Majesty and the Government of the United States re-
lative to sending a small squadron to Cuba. There had
been certain propositions made in 1864 with respect to send-
ing a small American squadron to the coast of Africa, and
on that point both Governments wore agreed. It was,
however, laid down that the vessels were to be confined
exclusively to suppressing the slave trade, but on this
paint a difference sprung up, and no measure was prac-
tically adjusted.
SEIZURE OF ENGLISH TRAVELLERS.

Lord A. HERVEY asked the Under Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs whether he was aware that the De-
march of Astako reported to the superior authorities that
the three English travellers who were seized by brigands
near Dragomestre, on the Bth Dec., 1865, had been pre-
viously warned by him of their danger; whether he was
aware that that report was completely untrue ; and, if so,
whether the Foreign-office had urged or intends to urge
upon the Greek Government the dismissal of that func-
tionary.

Mr. LAYARD said he could not say positively whether
they had been warned or not; but Mr. Erskine had been
directed to make inquiries into the matter. It would be
very desirable for parties travelling in Greece to put them-
selves in communication with the authorities there before
commencing their journey.
DISEASE AMONGST SWINE.

Sir J. WALSH asked the President of the Board of
Trade whether the attention of her Majesty's Government
had been drawn to the appearance of a new disease affect-
ing swine in parts of the continent of Europe,
and not only destroying the animal, but render-
ing the flesh poisonous and dangerous to human life ;
and whether they bad instituted any inquiries by compe-
tent medical and scientific authorities, with a view to
ascertain the nature, extent, and progress of this disease.
Mr. BRUCE said the attentiln
1862 n of theProfe Government had
been directed to the matter. ssor Gamgee
was directed to make a report, and a very eminent foreign
gentleman was also directed to make a study
be of the
oundma.t-
ter. The reports of these gentlemen rulid f
the last volume of the reports of the Privy
Council, which
gave the fullest information on this and every other
matter.
THE LETTER CARRIERS AND THE POLICE.
Mr. FAWCETT asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer
whether be thought the Postmaster-General had come to
I a just and wise decision in refusing the application which
the letter carriers made for an advance in their wages in
consequence of the rise in house rent end in the price of
provisions ; and whether these same considerations had
not induced the magistrates of many counties to raise the
salaries of the police ?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER was of
opinion that the decision of the Postmaster-General was
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