Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1847-08-21
Debtors OF ESnglaEd--T fareats
OF the British Government.

DeDaOFs OF ESngaaEsd--R fhreafs
of the British Government.
Quite discussion arose on the 9th
ut., upon a motion of Lord George
Bentick 20 enforce from Spain the
payment of forty-six millions sterling
due to the subjects of England. Lord
George, Lord Palmerston, Mr.. Hume
aud other speakers, seem 10 have taken
the ground that Government is en-
titled, indeed bound, to enforce for its
subjects the debts due by the Govern
ment, or by the subjects or citizens, of
another country. We make a few ex-
tracts from The speech OF Lord Pal
merston:
My noble friend TLord George
Bentickl has quoted passages from
the law of nations laying down the
doctrine that one Government is en-
titled TO enforce from The Government
Of another country redress for all
wrongs done to the subjects Of the
Government making the application
for such redress, and that, if redress
be denied. it may be justly obtained
by reprisals from the nation so refu-
sing. fully admit to this extent the
principle which my noble friend has
laid down.
"When British subject engaged in
trade with The subjects of foreign
country sustsins loss, bis first appli-
cation is to the laws Of that country
for redress; if those laws are not prop
erly administered in his case, then the
British Government steps in, and de-
mands either that the law shall be
properly dealt out. or that redress shall
be given by the Government Of that
State.
But the North American States,
who really are able TO pay, and who
have no excuse for not paying heart
who have no internal revolution, no
military dictator, no civil war, to JUS
tiiy their breach Of iai,h-[hear1-I
should hope would wait rot for the
example Of their southern brethren,
but would themselves wipe from their
history that blot, which rlust be con-
sidered stain upon tIeir national
charscter--[cheers. do no. differ
from my noble friend as far as this
goes; and if il were the policy of Eng
land--the wise policy Of England--to
lay down a rule that she would enforce
obligations OF a different kind, think
we should have far and full right,
according to the law OF nations, to do
So"
al do not mean in any way to quail
Iify or do away with the assent have
given to the principles advanced by my
noble friendE- hear hear. Altho'
| entreat the House, upon grounds of
public policy, not to impose at present
upon Her Majesty's Government the
obligations which the proposed address
would throw upon them, yet would
take this opportunity of warning for
eign Governments who are debtors to
British subjects that the time may
come when the British nation will not
see with tranquility the sum of $780,
100000 due to British subjects and
the interest not paid loud cheers
And would warn them that, if they
do not make proper efforts adequately
to fulfil their engagements, the Gov
eminent OF this country, whatever
men may be in Office, may be compel
led by the force Of public opinion, and
by the votes Of Parliament, TO depart
from that wLich hitherto has been the
established practice Of England, and to
insis, upon the payment of debts due
to British snbjects--[Ioud cheers
That we have the means Of enforcing
the rights Of British subjects, am not
prepared to dispute-[hear.l II is not
that we are afraid of these States. or
all Of them put together, [cheers, that
we have reirained from taking the steps
to which my noble friend would urge
US -[hear, hear, hear England, !
trust, will ALWAYS have the means of