The Express.
London, England, 1848-08-10 00:00:00

fe their interests. If they were to have throe two blockades,
the blockade in the Baltic and Black Sea and the blockade
In the Rio de la Plata, the effect upon their commerce
would be moot disastrous, and some explanation was due to
British merchants as to the steps taken by the British go-
Tegument (Hear, hear.)
Lord PALMERSTON said that with respect to the first
blockade to which the hon. gentleman alluded, be was sure
that both he and the how* must see that it was
not a blockade which they imposed or one which they
were entitled to force, and therefore the presence of an
ships on our part was not necessary on the coasts to which
it applied. The original blockade by the Danish fleet was
relaxed in a great degree, and iu the hope that the armiatice
would be signed, it sluiced ceased. An aanouncemeat had
been recently received, that if the armistice was not con-
cluded by the 15th, on that day the Danish government
would feel theuatelyes ureter the necessity of reimposing the
blockade to a greeter extent than it existed before. There
was no doubt of the right to impose it as a measure of bel-
ligerent retaliation, and it would not in any degree be com-
ps:est or right for tkis country to interpose or raise objec-
tions to that blockade. (Hear, hear.) The only
functions therefore which would devolve upon the British
government, would be to take care that the blockade
was enforced in conformity to the law of nations. (Hear.)
If that blockade should unfortunately commence, and if the
Danish government oily sanctioned what the law of nations
allowed, there was no iiccesion, as far as they saw, foe the
With
of any ships of war on those coasts. (Hear, hear.)
With regard to the prospect of the armistice being signed, it
was not very safe in a matter in which so many parties were
concerned to indulge in predictions, but he still entertained
what he con-id, red just wounds of hope that before long
they should have that armistice concluded. (Hear, hear.)
lie hoped they would be put in a train of early and satisfac-
tory settlement. With regard to La Plata, they were not
answerable tor the commencement of hostilities with that
country. The cumber of ves-e.s of war there had been
diminished. T Ler e was no doubt, however, that*e blockade
had been a very ditadvontegeous one to merchants, and he
could assure tke hon. gentleman that they would endeavour
to bring it to a elixir at the earliest period possible.
Mr. DISRAELI asked for some explanation as to Mr.
Southern's mission to Buenos Ayres,
Viscount PALMERSTON said Mr. Southern had been
sent out to till the vivant place of minister at Buenos Ayres,
and there was nothing in our relations with Gen. Routs to
preclude the desirability of making that appointment.
Lord INGES IRE expressed Ms opinion that the sp•
pointment of the comtnittee had been productive of incon-
venient delay.
Copt. PEC II ELL said that during 14 years he had ob-
served the proceedings of the house, he had never witnessed
such a debate as had taken place on the present occasion.
The house had been dragged from the Cosmcks to the Duke
of York, and six hours hid been wasted in useless talk. He
hoped the government would act up to all the recommenda-
tions of the committee, and that the Board of Admiralty
would ven go beyond them. The actual position of
masters in the navy was such that if all the lieutenants on
board the ships where they served were swept away, a
midshipmen might be promotod above them, and they might
be compelled to sense under youths whose standing was not
by any. means equal to theirs. He must call the serious
attention of the committee to theta points.
Capt. HARRIS expressed his surprise that no statement
had been made by the hon. member (Mr. Ward) with re-
spect to the machinery for maiming the navy, more particu-
larly when the vide of Europe was taken into consideration.
Mr. WAHLEY expressed an intention of calling the at-
tention of the house at an early opportunny to the ease of
the aggrieved officers of the navy, whose treatment had been
alluded to in tree course of the debate.
Mr.WYLD feared that if the blockade at Buenos Ayres was
continued serious consequences would ensue, and he biped
the governmeut would give some answer to the question of
the hon. member for Buckinghamshire.
Mr. WARD said that when tree time came for protecting
British intere-to at Buenos Ayres the government would be
ready to interfere.
In answer to a question which had been asked at an early
period of the evening,
Admiral DUNDAS stated that the masters in the navy
would be entitled to retire at 50 with the rank of comman.
der, and half-pay consistent with that rank.
Mr. URQUHART hoped that any interference which the
government might adopt in the affairs of foteign natiins
would be aco.rding to law.
Mr. ANS 'EY asked whether our cruiiers on the coast of
Africa were at present acting larder the wise and moderate
instructions of Lord Aberdeen, or whether those instructions
had been reecinde by the present noble Secretary for Foreign
Affairs ?
Lord PALMERSTON said that the house was aware that
the instructions to which the bun. member alluded had It d
to lengthened proceedings in the courts. lie could assure
the hon. member that the officers on the coast of Africa were
acting under iustructions in strict concurrence with the law
of the land.
In answer to a question from Lord Isiciesrae,
Admiral DUNDAS said that if the assistant-surgeone in
the navy nu so d in the ward-room, the mates and '
dozen other officers would be equally entitled. The com-
plaints of the newspapers on this subject were wholly without
reasonable found droll.
Mr. OSBORNE complained that assistant-surgeons in the
navy were nut placed on a footing with similar officers in the
army.
Lord J. RUSSELL considered that the matter was in the
hands of the hon. member for Finsbury, and trusted that he
would not lie anticipated by other hon. members.
The vote was then agreed to.
210,930/., victual* for seamen.—Agreed to.
136,3031, salarir sof Akers, JD the Admiralty.—This
'vote was, after a short conversation, agreed to.
9.731/., Iteeistry-office for merchant seamen.
Mr. HUME sMI that this office bad failed, and ought to
be abolished.
Capt HARRIS vindicated the usefulness of the office.
The vote was then agreed to.
7,2611., eci.otific departments of the navy.
Mr. WYLD observed that the charts now in use bad been
engraved eight years since, and required much alteration.
The vote was agreed to.
Mr. HUME moved that the Chairman report progress.
After an observation from Mr. WARD the motion was
agreed to. The committee to sit main at 5 o'clock on Friday.
The house adjourned at a quarter-put 1 o'clock.