Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-11-02
EORNlGN.
BRITISH PARLlAMEN 1
HOUSE OF LORDS, JULY Is.
SOUTH AMERICAN SIXTIES.

The Marquis of Lansdogcn, about ten
days ago, had stated his intention OF ask
ing some questions of the noble Earl OF
Liverpool, with respect to the relations
subslsting between this country and the
indehendent states Of South america.
+ As the noble earl, had not, since that
time, been IN his place, it had been
impossible for him to execute his pur-
pose; but every thing which had occur
red IN the interval, convinced him OF the
necessity of obtaining from that house,
for the public in general, and more par
ticuarly for the mercantile interests OF
the country, information on the subject
10 which he was about to call their
Lordship's attention. 1t might, per-
chance, be known, thar British vessel
carrying on trade between one of the
independent states in South America,
and one of his Majesty's colonies, had
been captured under the old Spanish
colonial law, carried into Spanish
port, and there condemned. Now, in
consequence of this transaction, it was
highly necessary that they should know
what is the precise nature of the existing
relations between this country and the
South American states. He, therefore,
wished to be informed, whether govern
mcnt intended to do what in the present
state of the world he thought most pro-
per 10 be done-namely, to recognize
the independence of those states; or
whether the relations maintained with
them were bonqfed such as would at
ford efectual protection to the British
trade in that quarter If there existed
any reason, of which he was not aware,
for no, at once acknowledging the in
dependence of those states which Old
Spain had in fact abandoned, and which
were capable OF maintaining armies and
navics for their own defence, still the law
ful trade of British subjects ought TO be
rendered secure. If then his majesty's
government did not recognize the indie
pepdcnce of the South American states,
measures ought 10 be immediately taken
to convince the government OF Old
Spain, that effectual protection would
be afforded to ships carrying on lawful
commerce under the British flag.
The Earl Of Liuerhool was perfectly
willing to give the noble marquis the in
formation he desired. In the first place
he was aware that the particular case
which had given occasion to this ques-
ton on the general principle of COM
mercial protection, was the cause of the
ship Lord Collingwood. As soon as his
majesty's government received lniorma-
ton of that capture, which was under
stood to have been made on pretence OF
the violation Of the old laws of Spain, no
time was lost in demonstrating with the
cabne, Of Madrid on that subject. II
was at first supposed that the capture
must have been made in consequence OF
a real or alleged breach OF blockade !;
and no doubt If there had been an effec-
tual blockade OF the port from which the
vessel sailed, that would have been a
ius,ifable ground Of capture; but as far
as that point could be ascertained, nov
only there had been no actual blockade,
but no Spanish force on the coast. The
answer given to the representation OF his
maics,y's ministers on this case was, that
no information ON the subject had been
received by the court Of Madrid, but in
quiry should be made respecting it. A
short time ago his majesty's government
received information that the Lord Coll
lingwood had been copdemned by a Spa
nish maritime court. Ministers were
DESTROYS Of knowing what the grounds
Of that condemnation had been. The
facts which had reached him might be
wrong; but it was prolessed THAT the
Judgment was founded Gas we under
stood his lordship to say on pira'ical con-
duct. Notime, however, was lost in trans
hitting remonstrance on the subject to
the court of Madrid, accompanied with
demand OF compensation to the owners
of the ship, if i, should appear that the
capture was iIlegal; and positive in
struc,ions had been sen, to his majesty's
minister at Madrid to see that justice
should be done. This was the state OF
the particular case TO which the noble
marquis bad referred. With respect to
the subject generally, namely the state
Of relations between this country and the
states Of South America, undoubtedly
there was nothing in that situation which
could effect the protection due to British
commerce.