Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-03-06
THE LAW OF ENGLAND.

The following circular despatch from Earl GRAN
VILE to her Majestys Ministers at Vienna, ST. Pc
tersburgh Paris and Frankfort strikingy illustrates
the character of the British constitution and laws
while it furnishes very favorable specimen Of the
abilities of the new Secretary for Foreign Affairs
The despatch has just been presented with other pa
pers on the same subject, to both Houses of Parlia
ment:
FoREIGN OFFICE, JANUARY 13.
SIR: Representations have been made to her Majestys
Government part several European Governments
through their at this Court the subject
Of the proceedings of foreign refugees residing in Eng
land and it has been urgently demanded that immediate
and effective steps should be taken by her Majesy Gov
put stop to those nrgues and conspiracies
against the Governments of various European Powers in
which foreign refugees in England asserted to be
engaged.
BY the existing law of Great Britain all foreigners have
the unrestricted right of entrance and residence in this
country; and while they remain in it are, equally with
British subjects, under the protection of the law
they be punished except for offence against the law,
and under the sentence of the ordinary tribunals of JUS
tce, after public trial. and conviction founded
evidence given in open court. No foreigners such,
be of this country by the executive Govern
ment except removed by virtue of treaties with
other States confirmed by act of Parliament for the
tual surrender of criminal offenders.
British subjects however the subjects of any other
State residing in this country and therefore owing ODE
dience toits laws conviction being concerned in
evyng against the Government of any State amty
Offenders in this respect equally open to prosecution
by individuals or by the Government
Measures in the form of alien acts have been differ
times resored to by the British Legislature by which
the power of expeng foreigners case of necessity has
been conferred the executive Government; such
powers even when asked for only for maintenance of
internal tranquility have been regarded by people Of
this country with jealousy
The general hospitality thus extended by institu-
tons to all who choose to to England has, from time
to time, been the of aording asylum to
nfa1 80
in rank and position. Among them may be mentioned
kings and princes Of the two branches Of the Bourbon m
mily and the Prime Ministers of France and Austria
1t is obvious that this hospitality could freely
given if it were not widely extended discretionary
power of removing foreigners vested in the crown
appeals would be constantly made by the dominant party
foreign countries for the expulsion of their political OPP
pon>ns who might have taken refuge in Great Britain
Monarchical Governments might object to republican
ugees and republican Governments might object to roy
alist refugees and it would be difficult to defend such
hospitality which would then be founded favor and
not upon equal laws.
1t is the wish of her Maestys Government to
promote far is in their power the peace ORDER and
prosperity of every country with which they in friend
" alliance but they think that any ground exists
which would justify them the present OCCASION in APP
plying to the Legislature for any extraordinary further
in reference to foreigners resident in England and
they have doubt that this opinion shared
both by the Parliament and the public of this country
With reference to the ntmaon that exceptional mea-
Of precauton may be taken against British subjects
|
plain If while nsurrection raging its fame is
y extnguished foreign Governments should take precau
tons against suspected English travellers.
Her Majesy's Government adhere to the principle laid
down by Vscount Pamerston in his note Of the Both of
September 1848 the United States Envoy this Court
in relation to certain citizens of the United States who
had direct thence to Ireland then in state Of par
tal instruction.
Lord Pamerston did not that ask any change
in the American laws and he expressly orbore to
the President Of the United States with representations
tlo h,f that fhoea rbn
visited country in Of instruction take their
chance like persons whom curiosity would lead into field
of battle and that the American Government must not
take it aiss If citizens of the United States who visited
Ireland that time involved in the consequences Of
measures aimed ut men of different description.
The measures however to which he alluded taken
with reference only persons whom, under the pecu
liar circumstances of the moment, suspicion attached
But would be in the highest degree unjust and unworthy
of the ghened character Of any European Government
and wholly unwaranted by the pursued by the
British Government that occasion, put vexaous
impedimens in the way Of nofending English travellers
way of retaliation for the acts Of foreign refugees in
| England.
While, however, her Majesty Government cannot con-
sent at the request Of foreign Governments propose
change in the laws OF England they would not only re-
gre but would highly condemn any attempts on the part
of foreign refugees England against
the Governments Of their respective countries Such con-
duct would be considered by her Maesty Governments
fragrant breach Of the hospitality which those persons
enjoy.
The attention Of her Maestys Government WIN continue
to be directed to the proceedings OF suspected
ugees in this country and they will endeavor by every
legal means to prevent them from abusing tne
literally accorded to by the British laws 70 the
prejudice Of countries and Governments in amy ana a
ance with Great Britain. -
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