The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-05-21 00:00:00

Imperial Varlianttnt.

HOUSE OF LORDS.-THURSDAY.

Lord Ellenborough drew the attention of the House
to Her Majesty's proclamation on the blockade of the
ports of the Confederated States of America, and,
haring pointed out the inadequacy of tie ',ohmage
euiploycd to convey what was ineant, legally an,l prac-
tically, by the words " blockade" and " artiths contra-
band of war," mled fur an explanation of the exact
me..ning of the proclamation in regard to thoso phrases.
Lord Granville that, as far as the Powers
who Were part.es to the declaration of Paris were con-
tented, the definition of the word " blockade" as therein
laid down wan binding, but that that declaration did
not change the law of nations in respect of those
nations not lepresented in the Congress of Paris.
Lord Derby thought Lord Granville'', answer satisfac-
tory, lie was not inclined to quarrel with the terms of
the proclamation. as it was impossible to give such defi-
nitions as would include all cases. It Was necessary, lie
considered, that the Northern States should understand
that this country would not recognise any blockade that
was not effectual, nor would admit the power assunicd
by them of constituting privateering piracy and indicting
the punishment of death for such an act, as such a
course of action would be contrary to the law of
nations.

Lord Bmughant wished that privateering was, by the
law of nations, piracy. Any subject, however, joining
in an expedition againit any Power at peace with Her
Majchty WAS guilty of a piractical act. and his blood
mitt rest on his own head. He then bri fly declared
his opinion of what con,tituted "contraband of war"
and an efficient blockade.

L;rd-Ebelmsford dissented from Lor.l Iliougham's
opinion that Her Majesty's subjects joining in price.
teering expeditions would be guilty of piracy.
Thu Lord Chancellor said that, although a subject by
joining • privatcering espedition would violate the laws
of this country, stall if he accepted a commission from
either of the belligerents he was carrying on a jetstam
bell um, and was not liable to the peoalties for piracy.
Lord Kingsdown ssid that if the Northern Statsa
chose to consider and treat the Southern States as rebels.
they bad no right to consider said treat the subjects of
foreign States as such because the Southern Stateshad
been recognized by us as belligerent/. It was impossible
to define contraband of Ivor.

The subject then dropped.
The Princess lUice's Annuity Bill was real a third
tinie, and passed.
Lord De Grey and Ripon, in reply to • question from
Lord Airlie as to the intentions of Her Majesty's
Government in the Customs duties imposed last year on
manufactured articles imported into India, observed
that the sources of the Indian revenue were so few,
that in order to balance the revenue and expenditure
Mr. Wilson had felt bound to impose these duties, and
that Her Majesty's Governir.ent, under the circum-
stances, had not interfered. The duties were objection-
able, and ought to cease as soon as possible.
Lord Grey condemned the duties.
Their Lordships adjourned at a quarter before 7
o'clock.

FRIDAY. •
The
Bi Royal assent was given by commission to several
Ile.

Lord De Grey and Ripon, in reply to A question
from Lord Berners, explained the difficulties which
had prevented the diatribation of the prize
money, and said that as soon as the names had been
sent in from the different regiments the rates would
be struck and the money distributed.
The subject then dropped.
On the motion of the Duke of Newcastle, the
Offences in Territories near Sierra Leone Prevention
Bill was read a second time with the full coucurrenee
of Lord Brougham.
The Smoke Nuisance (Scotland) Amendment Bill was
read a third time

Lord Hardwick, asked Her Majesty's Government
whether it was true that the question of the Stade Dues
bed been settled, and that the prioo agreed upon was
to be paid within • short period
. •
lord Granville protested against such •question being
asked without due notice.
Lord Wodehuuse said as he was not the chief of the
Department for Foreign Affairs he could not answer
the question, of which no notice bad been given, with-
out consultation with the noble lord at the head of that
branch of the public service.
Their Lordships adjourned at half-past 5 o'clock.