The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-01 00:00:00

show to the House that the expedition was so p-nmie anti
secret that the British merchants could nit by pie have
had any intimation of it. That exfoole, cared tram this
country on th 3 27th of July, airl ived c ith the British
Minister, at Copenhagen, on the ! Cops nhagen
was ioveeted on the &h. This exv• w cut not for the
purpose, as it has.since transpire;', of making a hostile Aggress
shin on Donal rk, but for the puroase of eliforeii;e:a negiria-
'ion. A negetiatinn was entered into on the arrival of the
fleet "ft the coast of Ireenat b: fore any act of hostility
commenced. It continued fru .n for a co.-t.titieraVe
time atter. The Danish ft-et was seivd. and Denmark, ,-f
eou,se, pi 4..e•1 an ernha-go on Blitih property. and British •
veseeli, an , Dinish proi'erty and vessels were in tarn seized by •
the British. Our Government took properti to the arreint of
1,3.:0,00 , an -t the Danish Government sited property to
halt that amount. The negotiations had ci:m nenced before a
single shot was tired, a, I have before said, end continued Inne
after the surrender of the fleet and the seizure and cenfiseation
of preeer y. This negotiatien came to no satisfactory eionclu-
sion, aed D.eirnark &dared war against this country on the
4th of November fallowing; hut it was not uotil the 24:h of
Deeeintier tire • Britain deelared war against I) • nmark. It
is urged by the R:ght Hon. Geotleinan, the First Lore of the
'f reasery, it he will permit ine fer a memen• to refer to him,
that this .fpg+tration of war on our part WO natural and twee...
nary in defence of our own prooerty. The fleet of Derim it k
was s:tz -41 and Cu peobagen attacked by Hritish arms while a
convention was pending ; an<l this aoeventio a ileeared that al
tut; ilittee were to cease, and that all pubic and privaes pro-
perty was to be re-pecleit. I allude to this eonventinn for the
our,iese of shoeente that it mast have b'en io farce
up to and at the period or the declaration of war.
1 he declaration of war did not set aside the provi.ione of the
convention to which I have allude,l. and therefore the parties
for whom I seek the erotection of the House were entitled to
the ben: tite of its provisions. Not to give them Jhat benefit
was all '..-rant, violation of that convention. The debts arose
out of th, declaration of war. Some time after these trans.
actions took p'oce, Mr. Caiiriirg mitie a remarkable itle-
claratioo on • Irs subject. It was in answer to Mr, l'ereeval,
who broiight the que.sti:m of these claims under the considera-
tion of the (louse. (The Hon. Member here read the extract, •
trot frorn the noise that prevailed in the Houle it. Was impos-
sible !o catch the words. Its !melee was, as iar as wit ceuld
gather, an admission on the part of the Governinere, that the
claims were founded in justice and ought to be cntertained )
Whatever opinion might hive been entertained of the trans-
action at the time which it happened,- it woe certain since
that time Parliament had on several oecaaloni admitted
that the ::policants orb, had sufLred diming thit war, ae.l
utader the convention to which he had referred, were entiled
to consideration. The claimt put forward were of three
kinds. The first claim was that of those who -owl debt,
owing to them by Danish 5 übj-ets. Toe sec-end kind of
claim were tho.e preferred by 11,0-chants, who o'ool,‘ sized
on the occa,ion. And the third claims were these of parties
who had an interest iu ship, and eartmes that suffered in the war.
The words of the minutes of that convection acknowledged the
justice of the claim; advanced 1r; the three classes; and in the
years 1535 and 1836, the first two classes of claimants had their
demands settled. In a year or two afterwards, the subject was
again brought under the consideration of the G-verement and
of the country, and the Government received triwards of
1,300,00111. in order to settle these elaime. Hut the Gnrern-

he states that the objections to these claims are of a financial
clotraoter. They never, let me observe, rested on that. prin.
elide. as the Hon. Member for Portsmouth had presumed, for
whether these claims be, as they were now, for 500,0:0-. or
t..100,000i., it is not the amount that we should • regard itt our
decision, but it is the principle involved by coming to such a
decision. The danger involved is not only the exornse we
should incur, hut the expense we should expose ourselves to in
r •spect of post wars, and our successors in respect of those wars
core,. The qaestion mated in a great rner.ure oil rote: na-
tional hit now hod down iR this House, by gentlemen of the
ighest legal our hority ; and it alto rested on the opinion+ r f
men who combated the formedi.lament on this imporraot goes.
tte•n. Tee Solicitor-General had expressed his opinion against
it in this House, when the question was legally diseuesed.
and 1 have never yet heard any answer to his opinion.
The, question does not rest otily on the opinion of those lion.
and Learned Gentlemen who have lately given their opinions,
but it rests on the authority of all ihose legal gentlemen who
have taken pa t io previous deb ties in this Hons., when former
el rims were aged. • Those gentlemen all said that the claims
:hat were then urged were only to he maintained where there
was some eenviction or proof of any viol -,tion of the law of na-
tions; end ey reserved to themselves the point thsit the sir.
comstaner on which this claim was founded. were of a totally
(Wren...it eh tracer frotn those laid thaw,' in the category of those
who m d the claims. Tnis was the argument of the Hon.
Memb r o• Sheffield, when he said that these claims should be
decided bs an exposition Of international law. These claims
have been supperted by an Hon. GentkmaWformerly a Mem-
ber f Liven.° ‘lr Cres.well), and in his con-titueney were
lame holies of Wilivoluals personallv interested in the question
now before the House. Mr. Cresswall brought forward the
question, es ne considered hr had a duty to perform to hie eon-
. stituency. and that he should preserit to tip. House the (dream-
' stan oes under which this ca-e arose, in order that it might have
*the benefit of a discussion in the Home of Colimons.
Great importance is attached to' the opini n of Mr. Justice
Cres-wel, from his eminent legal a ; but it oug'et to be
ho rn,. in mind that he represen,ed a large mercantile. hotly,
ro•.ny of 'chose had an interest in the question.—( He ir, hear.)
Whatever v due is attached to the opinion of that eintnect
• lawyer, the Howe should weigh against it the fact that he acted
in that matter as it. bee .me his ditty as a representative in
Parli • meno—( He.ir, hear.) The /len. Gentleman who
brought forward this quiotion lays great stress on the ground
ilort this was a secret and tb. injury to which
Vie merchants had been exposed in C0110(1111.11Ce of not
bovine information so as to e cape the danger. On this point
the i-louse stoiold coe.iiler the extte e hazard which wouA
or,w on. or o viog io-ormation in ',eh ca-es. I have not
heard any s -trod reao.n given w-la impen3ation should le
riven in eas 5 of this k•n.l, and arising out of such circum-
stances. lis .ve heard nothing advanced to convince me of
the ()Anion that the capture. fir which compensation is sought
took Owe after the declaration of war. The declaration of
war aoainst Denmark took place on he 16 hof August. 18417,
aod caotore was proved to have taken place subsioolent to
that date. I have already refereed to this deelaration, and
given its terms, and I nox aasert that it was issued on the
ltith of August, and the captures were antecedent to that
period. Rut it is said it w a secret expedition, arid, therefore,
; compensation should be given. I' you carry out that principle
what will he the effect? I.* you eive compensation in the pie-
' sent instaneo. you Are hounilta give it in every other case:

went, altbou4h allowing the jus iee of thosv elatms, ,ftt.ed to
enforce redress, althougi they held 1 r perty ,ufficient to
satisfy the claimants. In the year 1,339,-the subject wa, again
bought before the House, and who brought it forward? It

Giant the pr.iient claims. and whenever an enemy is attaeked
under st,oilar circum-tances, whenever a se.cret expedi-
is fitted out, you will be hourrl by such a prece.
4.11 nt for every capture which is made at sea diving
the progress of thtt war. Lei us see how the principle

was brought forwarJ, not by an hwoble individual like my.eir,

whose ()Pinions whatnr,r tivy might he, wou'd be scarcely
worthy of recollection, but it was brought under ihe notice of
the House by a most accomplishel laiii3er, who would not have
done so until he had well considered the consequ,nces. He
submitted these claims to the Hon.-, and the lions? again
sanctioned their justice ; but the then Chancellor of !he
Exchequer still delayrd....the settlement hf them. With
the determination, howe,e, to ascertain their If,
cal,t, a motion was mad:, for a Committee, which
was carried.

applies to other tva,s. See how it would apply to the fast
war with the U..ted States. No notice was given then
that our merchan. shipping was in danger, yet, ac,:ording to
th's prineipl,, we sh. uld be hour, t to grant compensation for
every clituro. Such a ground of compensation now sought
would establish a principle appl.cabl, not oily to the Danish
war, hot to all ether wars; and in all capture= of merchants
ships arising out of-secret expeditions they would have motions
made and claims advanced for comperoation. . In ever) partis

The Committee met, a .o 1 th:v reported upon

eular case the 'House would be called upon to m adv-anees

the claims of these parties. To that report.' hall shot tly call of money in order to eatis y the parties. it would be impos-
the attention of the House. It stated that the Committee hid Bible for the country to gm into war aid defend its just lights
proceeded to consider the merits of the several claims submit- without being subject '0 claims for da:naee done to private in-
ted to their consideration, and that they came to the following dieidusis in the
result :—The claims amounted to half ►million, which was re. prosecution of such expeditions as that out of
which had arisen the present claims. But here seems to be
(Need to two hundred ant seventy-five thousand pounds Scotch. great doubt among Hon. Gentlemen who stupor! tk is modem
This 'AIM of money was obtained from the sale of several ear- The Hon. Member for Lambeth supported the claim= of one
goes which hail been seized and s--Id, anti which consisted of class, while the Hen. Baronet the Member f Huh suoported
goods imported from the Baltic. In 1841, Mr• Jutsic t Cress- the claims of another cleft. The !lon. Memher for Hull says,
well move! and carried an address to the Crown that the 'plea- that no indemnity oueltt to be given in certain cases, because
tion wou1•1 b.' speedily settled ; and had not Mr. Justice Cress- he has found out that an Order in Council was issued on the
well been convinced of the legality of these claims. he would 2nd of September, I SO7, that no British ships should clear out
no have ventured to have diked his professional reputation by foe Denmark because they would be liable to be ieiz el ueen
insisting on them. I must say that this ease ought not to rest and confiscated by that Gevernm fnt ; and therefore argues the
on strictly technical grounis. At the time tho-e ...Pismo's were lion. Baronet they have no realm for indemnity. What is the
made the Government were expos -d to considerahl • danger ; effect of teis disagreement? Wlay, out of the eighty-five afronno
it thought it necessary to fit out several secret expediri ns ; and who, according to the statement of my Right Hen. Friesid
those who were losers by them were, of couroe, thtee chiefly opposite have claim-, if the opinion ot the Honourable
connected with the mercentite interest. And the ileu-e should Baronet the Member for Hall is taken—( Hear, hear) —only
never for,oet that prizes were made to the extent of 13 ww.. and 10 can have any claim at all. Titus we see that these learned
that they never distributed more than Hee, half of them. doctors—learned in the doctrine of internatemal law —are
Sir. lam most unwilling, therefore, to tout h upon that ques- divided to the extent, that while the one would adinit tlie
tion. I rith sr wish to deal with it as a question of an en. rights r_f '45 claimants, the other volatile only giv • conil-ensation
tirely personal nature. I think it ant one will take he trouble to 10. Can a strong et proof than this he requeed that the
—if any one has tak •n the trouble to refer to all that ha- subject is not of that very clear character that it was repre-
tran.pired on this subject, it is qUito clear that these claims s -wet! by the Hon. Meniber for Lambeth to be? The Hon.
are founded in justice, inasmuch as the public pilaw which Member for Laiebeth has, I think, not very faith stated the
induced the Governmtut to take the part which thes did in- opinions of Lord thhorp. as given in 1834 The report of
volved the people coneetned in their losses. It is geite stn. 1834 states—es We are all aware that these claims are male
possible fir me to say whether that policy was j tst or unjust.. fir the losses 'us, ained on this occasion be the act of the
But, suPposing that policy to he just. it w. s perfectly imp's:- Danish Government. but we do no• t•oetheive that Parliament
sible fin the Government to pretend to anything like jnstii e would be to admit the principle that such claims could
when they gave pro public notification to 'he merchants of Mi. he entertained." As I have gated befere, I am very little
country that they were about to enter u?on the course which competent to arsue the legal point* as to what con tit utes the
they took. The Admiral of the port rsceivei re) intimation lawful seieure of property. It tray aimear that there is no
of that. policy, and the merchants took no 0. her precautions for valid reason why property on shore may not he captured as
their safety than they would under ordinary eirr uinstances sell a, property at. sea. and why the homer should b.' safe
aeainst sea risks. The trade in the 13,lite was considerert while ships and cargoes sheulii be expeset to seizere. Bii 1
safe. and they therefive entered into nnthino more than the believe no one wilt deny that such is the principle of interns.
ordinary insurance nail's, sea risks. Sir, under these cir- 'hotel law.—( Heir, hear. ) They hsve respected pro ertv em
curnatatices, when the British merehanta were not f •rewerried shere. ut never that on the sea. This pro. t sty, like a great
by any ruble Act, or warned be any effie al notice, they deal of o her property, had undergone the chances of war. it
have, I contend, a perfect right now to ask this House and la said that three were oily reprisals, and that they therefore
the lioverament of this coutery to give their sancoon to 3 otene from tither ships. Now, what to the qusstion of repri-
Committee of this House for inve.tigaiioe those claims. Sir, I gels? It is something of this kind. You lay your hoods on-
have eniteayouree to go as little over the whit!e ereund as whatever property you can legally take, in order to compel
possible ia subinittirig the case of the clattnants. You. will your enemy to accede to reasonable terra.—( Hear, hear. )
not, I will venture to say. refuse the Committee for which I Well, then, this property happens to consist of ships and mist
ask. I hope that those Hen. Alembero who have aiteniled to chanilise. If the differences are settled, they are returned;
this subject from year to ye sr will a:4in give the vote which if the !tsar goes on, why, they are s-,hl. Rut really,
they did in favour of a Committee of Investigation. lam after the war has commenced there io no ais, notion as
perfectly aware that the Goverment was plaeed in great difficulty to property captured after the deelaratioe of war and after
by the opinions delivered by the law officers of the Crown. the eommencement of actual hostilities. All I wish to in-
Bet I subints that this,ctiestion is not am a ter of law. It is a culcate on the House is the danger to which the country will
mixed ease of law, eque y, justice.— (Cneers.) be exposed if they set a precedent that if they went tow,,
Sir J. HAN tIER—I hold in my bawl a petition from the pith a foreign nation, some six and-thirty tears aft. r ley could
town I have the 'honour to r Mresens.—(The Hon. Member be induced to compensate all who had -offered any ilierimiire.
was proceeding with his speech, when the Sergeant-at-Arms St.,retng in every respect upon the tooting on whieh thee-
appeared at the bar, and ann• iunced, " That in obedience to earg•es and ships were taken, I contend 'hat. you are out emitted
the orders of the House, and in conformity vett, the warrant to a k the House of Commons for a Committee to inquire into
of the Speaker, he had teker, the Honousable Wileam Smith these claims- Sir, I can assure the House that it is only lam
O'Brien into custody.")—Tile Hon. Member recommenced by a sincere desire to avoid all the dengsrs which I see Meth tit
saying, I boat in my host a petition teen the town to an acqeieaceoce in 'things of this kiroJ that I have on so
I have the honour to represent, and in resent- mane occasions expressed my opinion on this-subeie. I have
ing that petition I take the opportunity of es- Abstiiitied, as the Hon. Gentleman has dime, as much a' pits
pressing in a few words the reason why I consider this question Bible, from repeating the arguments which I have used before
should be speedily decided. Ido net think that it is at tigether with respect to this que-tion. I do not. rest, a= the Hon.
quite a proper coestien for the c ,nsileration-of Parliament. I Gentleman does, upon' any technic-al grounds. It is upon a
cannot say that I look with any considerable favour upon this c ,n. great n frier-al principle, it is upon the bread reirciple vthich I
tinned renewal of the (Mei' ion• and I 104 earnestly that justice have already stated, that if you once lay &wen this p-inciple
should be done, and that afl decision upon the qui stion that yeas will protect all ships And e 2.1.40,3 during war, no i-nit
shad be arrived At—and that a complete. clear, and strong ex- can be placed .o suet claims hereafter. I, is on ihes, gt i.unds
pression ot Parliament should be come to on the subject. I that. I must reriot the rwition of the lion. Ali min, opposite
am afraid that year after year we shall he going en further and for a Committee to inquire into the nature of the Danish
further from arriving at such a result. Arid now, to claims.—( Hear, hi ar.
approach the merits of the question itself, it appears to me that Air. WATSON—I trust I shall be able to chow the House,
they lie in a very narrow compass. In the case of the Danish on principles of public justice and national law, the justice of
claims, all compensation for tho.e Danish claims has formerly these claims. 'f he Right Hon. Gentleman has said that
been denied. At that time it was stated by the Honourable those who represent large commercial constituencies have a
Member for Portsmouth, that the large and respectable betty peculiar mode of looking at the question of international law
of individuals who had suffered upon the oecasion, mei who in this House. Will he allow me to make a retort that the
now claimed compensation for their losses, had no right to Right lion. Gentlemen who have visited the ptirlieua of the
come to Parliament, or be compensate,i by the Government. Treasury seem also to have a very extrtordinary view of the
11 I think that Government had chosen properly to compensate public policy and the public justice of international law.—
two classes of toe Danish claimants. They were those claim- ( Hear, hear, and lauehter.) Now, Sir, let us see first of all
ants who could not be supposed to withdraw easily, and at a what the fads are in 'his case, and the grounds on which this
short tie time, front the port of Danmark during the war ; claim must succeed These cargoes and ships were taken
who owne4 good debts in the town of Copenhagen, or pos- before any declaration of war whatsoever. —( Cries of
-eased 'argues and valuable goods in tlte warehouses of Den- " Ileac, hear.") This country having ascertained plat.
mark, were possibly prevented from setting sale as"' with their ships, a arty was about to seial- the Danish fleet, sesit
and gettMg out of the reach ot those who wished to obtain out a fleet under sealed orders and perfect secrely, so
p..ssessinta of them. was the argument used by the that not a ' merchant. of this country scold know
then SoliOtoreGenerel. However, 1,10 not think that we can where that flet:tinsresW Is. The relations b. t sveen Denmark and
sustain that opinion altogether, but I think if an embargo England continued ; the msrchatits continued in their inter-
was laid upon these ships before any officisl public notiee was course with the Baltic. They continued in their intercourse
given to merchants in thiscountry, that the Danish with Denmark all the time. The fleet werit to the Baltie, anii
Government wished British shins to leave their bar- on the Admiral being asked whether or not they might safely
hour—if no intimation was given that the state of trade in the Baltic, he distinctly comhiuunicatvii to the mer-
the repaid ins of Denmark with this countrweretheibseut to he chants that they might
hdotso;—rou(ht,lieaort, hear. Well,
iesllt,hSir, that
disturbed. —I do think—and Ido not advance
eion hying a
because lam Member for Hull—that such claimants have 8(1.); attempted ask
t°eidi tow be, re"sistei? noti be outrtphueb"
fit reason to be comp mated for the hotel which they sus- claims
to encourage the m-rehants in carrying on their
tarred the proceeding, 11 it fair notice was given to them trade? I sass that by our national law they are clearly entitled
to set sail tor another harbetue I would not so strongly insist to those claims. But what was the declaration that was made
on their right to receive compensation ; but if no official no- to the Admiral when they eniered the Baltic? They said,
Vice was afforded before the 2nd of Feb., 1807, those persons "We come to your shores as inhabitants of Zetland, riot as
have a right to be considered as not having started upon a ear rnies--; this, I believe, was dated August, and I hare not the
vague expedition against which there was nit impediment, exact date)—not as enemies, but in self-defence, en 4 to prevent
and the unfortunate termination whieh was beyond their those who are so wilting to destroy Eu. ope from doing so,"
conception ; then. I think, they are entitled to that comp n- "We come not as enemies," and yet the Right
sation. Now, Lord Sidmoudt, on the 17th of Obey, 1803, on Hontiursble Gentleman has said they are not entitled
which occasion a similar motion to that now before the House, by intet national law to make these —( Hear, hear. )
was tfiscu,s d, said, " Such a n..tiste was payee in the Ci.urt War was declared on the 4th of November. The Danish am-
oi Denmark, on the 2nd of September, and a similar order ba.sader dem-witted his poop arts on the 16th November. It
was afterwards issued by his Alajeey's Government in Council, has been etre:, t• dto say that the declaration of war took place
that no ships heiotiging to his Majesty's subjects should clear on ihe 14th Aueust, in the declaration of Croestadt. In the
out for tee port of Denmar .as a general embargo was in- case of a declaration of war beiween two ceuntries, the in-
tended to be laid on them." Now, if that notice was issue I habitants of each country would have warnlng not to trade with
,in this country on the 2nd of Sepiernber, anti ships sailed each other ; if' they were to do so, they would then be guilty of
afterward', then, I think, they are not entitled to the a breech of the law of their couetry. sari vessels going to Den
compensation sought. The opinien of Lord Selineuth, in mark might be ju-tly cal/tune' by English vessels, an the ground
which I agree, is very favourable to the corneenaation of that th 'v were attempting,
to trade with an enemy. or. the
those who incurred losses, He said. on the subjeet of cempen- 7th of August, it was declared by the B-ittsh Envoy that war
_
sation, there cieild not be 'the 'stnalie.t diffeenee of opinion. was 'lain the point of commencing between thet.,o c.inntries,
Unforf ffe
unasely, there was a d:reeee of ups stun, which had and at the same time demanded his passport, the ground that
exited up tolhe present time, snit tied, elued the settlement war between the two countries might be considered as having
of the question fir these several years, acid Lard Sidmouth already broken
out. It lesbi en said by Hon. Members oppo•
had been Chancellor of the Exchegiter, concluded recce this was a declaration oef war het
decision ace with site thatwen', the two vein-
i h of Lord Stowell,
reprisals, arid
other countries, and was able and competent to give an opinion tries. will prove, by t
on the matter Now, Sir, I have stated the enly arguments on that this was a declaration "nd in of .
n the declaration
which 1 intend to rest. I say that I find on the 2il of Septem- net s declaration of war ; a
ber an order was issued by his Alajests's Government; after issued by `he Danish Government, the folk:wing words
which no person had a right to cointrensation. Now, I think occurred : We merely call upon our fmtheal subjects to
the issuing of that order vc,s a staifieient pioof that the mer- un,stms to defend themselves and their property, and to
chants had no right to clear out of Vie Desist, ports before that ward ir this violent attark ;" and this document further states
time. I beg leave' ;
that an embargo would be lard upon fertien vessels. Now that
On the gnestien being put,.
point has been decided by Lord Stowell, in the Admiralty, u
Sir, to second the motion.
The CH A NCELLO it of the EXCHEQUER rose and said the case of the s,Orioe. ' 'lles ease was, whether the rapt art'
I can assure the House, sir, that it is very patteul to me to was the right of the Crown or the Adrnir lt
to He
thesaid, y'
have again to repeat tholes opinions and those sentiments which if the capture was melts before the declaration of war. it was
cr,,w tthia t
I have se often had occasion to address to the House on this the right of the Admiralty, but it reverted
particular subjimt ; sometimes when sitting on this Side of the taken after the declaration. The capture was. therefore, the
House, and sometimes when bitting on the other. But; Sir, I right of the Crown, inasmuch as there was ti eclaration of
have hail from these repeated diseussiens full opportunities ot war until the 4th November. The Chancellor of the Exche-
hearing all that can be urged on this particular subject, having quer comes down to the Houses and says we must resist these
had various opportunities of considerati ,n and reflection ; and claims, because the Hon. Members for Lembetb, anti Hull,
1 adhere to the opinion which I have always expressed upon may entertain, some little difference of opinion upon the
tine subject, that it is one in which it is not consistent with subject. The real question is, when was war declared? It
public policy for the House to interfere, arid that it is one in has been stated by some Hoe Members, that there is great
which it is not consistent with the duty of him to whom her danger if we compensate these Danish claimants we shall also
Majesty haa entrusted the finances of this country to acquiesce. have to compensate the French and other claimants for losses
Sir, I believe also, very strongly, that it is a mai ter of great which they may have sustained in a war with Ergland. A
delicacy on the part of th House of Cotutnons, in dealing with little reflection will tell those Hon. Gentlemen that such could
a question of this kind in the manner in which the Hon, not be the case, because after a dsclaiation of war is made the
Gentleman proposes to deal with it. A rule was most wisely prises are the prizes of war. Such prizes are not entitled to
laid down by the constitution, that the House cf Commons compensation when the war has broken out, for everybody
should not take upon itself, indenendently of the Crown, to knows the situation in which they were placed, every ship cape
originate any grant of money, and this rule was expressly laid tured by the Danish and French are not entitled to compensa-
down to guard against the possibility of parties being urged, tion. Now let me look at the justice of the case. The Chan-
ra•her by persons who had a direct interest, to come to a vote I cello,. of the Exchequer has thrown some impediment in the
of public money. which a consideration of the general interests 1 way of this matter. tie says it is not respectful to the Crown
ot the country did not authorise, and 'he House, therefore, —that it is a question that reflects on the Ministers. In 183 le
imposed the check in that respect. But it will place the the. Hon. Member for Shoffield brought the matter forward,
Crown in that most inconvenient position of having, instead of i and again in 1837 aryl in 1838. In 1841, the Com-
as usual, to originate such a grant, to refuse it when recommend.• mons voted that in justice the compensation sought
ed by a Committee of this Mao,. I think that it is a most in- for should be given to the parties, but, however,
convenient position in which to place the Crown on an oc- it was rot acceded to, .and now the Right Hon. Gen-
casion, where grave legal doubts as to the claims exist, and where tleman wishes to-- t vast distinction with respect to
the question of how far the right of the House to interfere is f the rights of tb' d jays it is not respectful for us
involved, to call upon it to make any grant upon sech a mae ter, l to address the nay, it is a t sag. poet respect.
Tie' I lon. min immmen eel tits s ieech by seating teat ful 'or us re upon 'he rabic t when justice
these viitirns sere refused on r it special grounds—one to these can be 0- or, up to ties time, no jut, tee
ground, being financial, and the other being founded on inter- has be, The Treasury at this moment
national law. Ido not agree with the Lion. Gentleman, when ' has inch were paid by the Danish