The Sun.
London, England, 1845-02-05 00:00:00

an-I if necessary to expel Mr. Pritchard from the island. S
But the Noble Lord thought also that the manner
/ ~,e,
which the expulsion was effected was a gross outr •
~..aa
Now, he (Sir Robert Peel) thought so too.-(11 e
.1.7 fa;'..-'..
if
bear.) He thought that the manner in which eiel ie,aaZei-
Pritchard had been treated, and the language which Mil
_..- I N---,,
been employed towards him, were such as to justify tye al
language which he (Sir Robert Peel) used in Parham: i t
~
last year, when he as well as the Noble Lard, said that-- ----
a gross outrage had been committed. But the Noblhr 4.1 a
Lord said that the British Government ought to have
required an immediate and thorough reparation-and
should have got it. They did ask a thorough reparation,
and they got it-they asked and they got no more.-
(Hear, hear.)-And they did not want more.-
(Cheers.) He (Sir Robert Peel) should deeply
regret that they had occasion to boast of having ob-
tained more than an immediate and thorough reparation.
-(Cheers.)" He should deplore that any reparation had
been obtained which could be considered as r, ally
humiliating to France,-(Cheers.) The Noble Lord
said that two months were allowed to pass before repa-
ration was received. Well, he (Sir R. Peel) must say
that, to have effected a reconciliation under such cir-
cumstances-looking at the state of public feeling in
both countries-he must say that, to. have brought
things under those circumstances to an amicable setae-
aunt in two months, was net unsatisfactory.-(Cheers.)
It could not be deemed unsatisfactory to have in two
months rendered that reconciliation complete-or, ac-
cording to all evidence, so complete that the King of the
Frcncli-after the minds of that country had been so
inflamed-catne to this Court on a personal si.sit of com-
pliment and friendship to her I.llsjesty.- (Cheers.) The
Noble Lord said that her Majesty's Government shou'd
have lost no time in making their demand for reparation.
He (Sir Robert Peel) affirmed that they did lose
no time. They lost not one hour.-(Hear, hear.) They
stated immediately to the French Government what had
occurred, and further than that, they stated only that
they were fully satisfied that the French Government
would voluntarily offer to this country the reparation to
which we ware entitled. Although he did not think it
was always quite well to refer to the speeches made in a
foreign house of lit,Tislature upon a subject of this kind,
he would say that if the Noble Lord would read the
speech of M. Guizot, he would find that, in point of fact,
the Government of England made no demand, sad that
although some time elapsed before reparation was made,
yet still the confidepee of the English Government was
unabated, and they assured M. Guizot of their confidence
that the French Government would make the reparation
of itself.-(Hear, hear.) The Noble Lord had also said
that her Majesty's Ministers at the end of last session
complimented themselves upon their wisdom. In that
statement the Noble Lord was decidedly wrong. He
(Lord J. Russell) thought it would be very unseemly
on the part of the Ministers that they should advise her
Majesty to compliment them for their wisdom; and the
Noble Lord accordingly was very angry with the Mi-
nisters for doing so. Now all that they had said was
that this affair of Mr. Pritchard had been settled by the
justice and moderation of both Governments-that of
France and of England. Therefore, all that brilliant
part of the Noble Lord's speech proved to have no
foundation whatever. His (Sir R. Peel's)
.opinion was
still unshaken, that it was for the interest of ..France-
for the interest of England-for the interest of Europe
-for the interest of civilisation-that a good under-
standing, that Cordial amity, should prevail between the
Governments of these two kingdoms.-(Hear, hear.) It
was the duty of both Governments to take care that all
misunderstandings should be reconciled, and that they
should not lead to war.-(Hear, hear.) But between
France and England, he believed, there was but the alter-
native between cordial friendship and actual hostility.-
(Hear, hear.) There was but a small distance between
this island and France ; the breadth of sea was small,
but this did not diminish the delicacy of our relations.
We were closer to France than to any other nation of
Europe. Our commerce was more connected with that of
France, and our navy in closer proximity to hers than to
that of any other nation. The intercourse between the
inhabitants of the two countries was greater, and was
constantly on the increase. The progress of steam
diminished more and more the apace which separated
them ; and the more intimate became our relations with
France, the more difficult it became to be on any other
terms than sincere friendship or avowed hostilities.-
(Hear, hear.) It was the interest of both that they
should be on the best understanding, and that they
should, by mutual concessions, heal all differences as
they rose, that so, by a cordial and amicable understand-
ing, the Governments may be able to appease the pas-
sions excited by the errors of their agents in distant
situations.-(Cheers.) There was not one of the conces-
sions which France had made that he would not counsel
England to make, if the circumstances had been re
versed. He was sure no one in that Ikuse would think
it would be wise to ask of France any reparation which
England would not be willing to make under similar cir-
cumstances. Let them look to the influenee vs hick France
and England exercised in another hemisphere. Look to
the influence of these Governments in the West.. Let
them consider how important at that moment was their
influence in respect to the South American States-
(Hear)- and they would acknowledge it was of the ut-
most importance that that influence should continue' and
that the good understanding should prevail which was
necessary to maintain it.-(L/ear, hear.) He believed
that in what he was stating he was only representing
the genre' opinion , of this country. ,He believed
that there was a sincere desire on the part of the people
of this country to maintain the most amicable relations
with France. For his part, he would not retain those
relations at the expense of honour or interest.-(Hear.)
He would not in time of peace neglect to take precautions
against the possibility of war. He would not neglect
the defence of this country. But he would think it per-
fectly compatible with these precautions and preparations
to maintain the most friendly understanding with the
neighbouring notion.-(llear, hear.) The Noble Lord
(Lard John Russell) had referred to the question of the
Right cf Search. Ile (Sir Robert Peel) thought it would
Le better to postpone the discussion of that questioa
until he should be prepared to lay the matter before the
House in a definite shape, when the House o ould le
repared to farm an opinion whether any progress hadbeen made in that cause, which he confessed ought to he
an object of more importance than a mere political co, s•
tion- he meant the suppression of the detestable ti affic
in slaves.- (Cheers.) lie thought that after the sacri-
fices which this country had made, the Government was
bound to make every endeavour, consistent with the le w
of nations, to effect the suppression of that trade.-(Hear.)
But it was to be borne in mind that the French Chem)), rs
had twice decided against conceding this right of sears le
Public opinion in Fiance was raised agair.st it, and let
what will be said the right of search had become,.in a
great degree, paralysed, when they saw against it the
sense of the organs of public opinion, and of the repre-
sentatives of the nation; although, if it could be carried
into effect with the consent of both nations, no incon-
venience whatever would attend it. But if the Chamber
refused to give its consent, and called on the Govern-
ment to find .a substitute, it would be impossible that
such an opposition should not paralyse the efforts of the
subordinate authorities. Now what M. Guizot propos, d
was this, av:wing the anxiety cf his Government to
abolish this traffic, and their participation in the anxiety
of the English Government for that object, he asked the
latter to consider if it were not possible to substitute, for
the right of search, a measure as efficacious-or, in his
own words-more efficacious, if possible, than thar.
Now. seeing what feelings prevailed on this subject
in France, and how public, opinion and the
voice of the Chambers acted upon the subor-
dinate authorities, what course was open to this
Government ? They said that they reiterated their
sense of the obligation upon theta to put down the trade
in slaves; and that they must adhere to their opinion;
and that the right of search afforded the best means for
effecting that purpose. However, negotiations pro-
ceeded, and they had arrived at this point, that the
French Government, on their part, had chosen a Mtn
who had shown himself ready to sacrifice power for the
purpose of promoting this objtct ; he meant M., De
Broglie, who, in 1817, had counselled the formation of a
treaty to this end, and in the present reign had con-
cluded another for the same object-a man scholia() all
his prejudiees, not against the slave trade, but in &veto'
of that object-that was the man offered_by the 11-encis
Government to consider with us, on their part, what was
the best and most effectual measure to substitute for the-
right of search.-(Cheers.) On the other hand, thts
English Government bad chosen Dr. Lushiugton...
(Hear, hear)-a man whose whole life..had been devoted
to the extinction of slavery and the slave trade, and who
had ever shown himself ready to sacrifice. all ,politietde
professional, and personal feelings, to attain that obiroet.
-(Hear, hear.) Well, what was to be inferred
this? The French Government had chosen to represent
them in this negotiation, the man who, as a French•
man, had shown the greatest anxiety to abolish: /slavery
-(Hear, bear)-and who was his confederate F--e(Haare
hear.) Now, he hoped that if the Noble lewd eihteentall
from the policy of the Government, he would brialtsfor-
ward in express terms the reprobation of -their conduct I.
and he would appeal to the British Parliamentnot
d riehtnr,
tion, whether the Governmenthte
nn d a more adequate
o
inquiring if there could not be
portion of the Noble Lord's
means of abolishing thheeasrllveHtraedweatshannotthaewyahread hitherto
possessed?- possessed?- (Hear, •
alludedc to the financial policy
nyhieochithhought that notice had already
shpleclehf,t
euxnee_toptuchthedatawn
that be would, othnea
hvoeusryeeaarnly
odutayun,
eta.;
imlei.
ofe etnh egiGvoe Government.
umaith not
opportunity of
stating
policy. It had been
commercial
bring forward that statement earlier than, Aprile-er
certainly not until after the estimates,-butehe ' thOughte
in a measure of so much importance as the income-tax.
it would be better not to follow established: ritlesi. bat
to take the earliest opportunity of stating the intention
of the Government. He thought it was the more
incumbent to take an early opportunity to state that
intention when important changes were .to take places
And certainly next week would not elapse, without his
giving a general statement of his intentions on this sub-
ject. With respect to the Irish Chnrcb (we understood
the Right Hon. Baronet to say), it was not necessary for
him now to occupy the House with any observations. He
wished the Noble Lord would take the opinion of the
House as to whether the Government, had taken any
steps derogatory to the honour of this country, or da-
maging to her fair name, in the arrangethent which they
had made with the French Government, and which the
Noble Lord had denounced.-(Hear, hear.) ' Let Asa
House consider the language which had been used- in. the
French Chamber. He would not impute unworthy rap.
tires to the men who held the language most opposed to
the views of this Government-men like M. Dupin-like
iM. Thiers. When they saw such .men-ewho bad
held eminent situations in the service of their
country-accusing the French Governinent of have
:ing dishonoured France ; and when they saw -111.4 e
English Government accused that night
eof iltti g
dishonoured England-it would be acknoawl oteLac'ob-utaiti:
great difficulties would be thrown hi thesee.• y of
gland had done
nliiaetidotnhwaththeneurenawvasoitbnlye
gro u differences
ndsofro rottfrtEoh
the
s tate
m Whilstenht he
the Government either of France
, .

Pas.dta

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