asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If his attention has been called to the capture and detention of Mr. Arthur Haselden, a British subject, by brigands, in the neighbourhood of Linares, in Spain; and, if it is intended to make any application to the Spanish Government to compensate Mr. Haselden for the sufferings he has endured, and the ransom which his relations have been obliged to pay to obtain his release, amounting to the sum of six thousand pounds?
When the news of Mr. Haselden's arrest reached the Foreign Office, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs immediately telegraphed to Mr. Macdonnell, the Chargé d'Affaires at Madrid, directing him to continue his endeavours to urge the Spanish Government to make energetic efforts in the matter. But, Mr. Haselden was released in consequence of the brigands accepting £5,800 from Mr. Haselden's friends. Mr. Haselden has been informed that Her Majesty's Government cannot repay him the money; but that Mr. Macdonnell has been directed to urge the Spanish Government to do all it can to effect the capture of the brigands and the restoration of the money.