The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-01

II is Obvious that this hospitality could no
he 80 freely given, if il were not 80 widely ex
tended II discretionary power Of removing
| foi egners were vested im The crown, appeal'
would be constantly made by the dominan
party in foreign countries for the expulsion o
their political opponents, who might have takeT
refuge in Great Britain. Monarchical govern
ments might object to republican refugees
and republican governments might object Il
royalist refugees; and it would be difficult t.
defend such hospitality, which would then bs
founded on favor, and not on equal laws.
1t is the earnest wish of Her Majesty's gov
eminent TO promote, rs far as il in their power
the peace, order, and prosperity Of every coun
try with which they are in friendly alliance
but they do not think that any ground exists
which would justify them, on tho present occa.
sion, in applying to the legislature for any ex.
traordinary or further powers in reference Ia
foreigners resident in England, and they have
no occasion to doubt that this opinion is shared
both by the Parliament and the public of this
country.
With reference to the intinati0B that excep.
tional measures Of precaution may be taken
against British subjects travelling abroad, Her
Majesty's government cannot complain il, while
insurrection is raging. or its fame is scarcely
extinguished, foreign governments should take
precaution against suspected English travellers,
Her Majesty's government adhere to the
principle laid down by Viscount Palmerston in
his note Of the 30th of September. l84S. to the
United States envoy ut this court, in relation to
certain citizens Of the United States, who had
come direct thence to Ireland, then in u state of
partial insurrection.
Lord Palmerston did not in that note ask for
any change in the American laws, and no ex
nressly forbore to press the President of the
United States with representations against the
offenders, but merely said that those who visit
cd country in state Of insurrection, must take
their chance like persons whom curiosity would
lead into field of battle and that the Ameri-
can government must not take it amiss if cti-
zens of the United States who visited Ireland
at that time were involved in the consequences
of measures aimed at men of different descrip.
ton.
The measures, however, to which he alluded,
were taken with reference only to persons to
whom, under the peculiar circumstances of the
moment, suspicion attached. But it would be
in the highest degree unjust and unworthy of
the enlightened character of any European gov
ernment and wholly unwarranted by the course
pursued by the British government on that oc
casion, to put vexatious mpedments in the way
of unoffending English travellers by way of re-
taliation for the acta Of foreign refugees in Eng
land.
While, however Her Majesty's government
cannot consent, at the request of foreign gov
ernments, to propose change in the laws OF
England, they would not only regret, but would
highly condemn, any attempt on the part of for
eign refugees in England to excite instruction
against the governments of their respective
countries. Such conduct would be consi Tered
by Her Majesty's government as fragrant
breach OF the hospitality which those persons
enjoy.
The attention of Her Majesty's government
will continue to be directed to the proceedings
of suspected foreign refugees in this country
and they will endeavor by every legal means to
prevent them from abusing the hospitality SO
literally accorded to them by the British laws,
to the prejudice of countries and governments
in amity and alliance with Great Britain
You will communicate copy of this despatch
to the Secretary of State. lam, &c,
GRANVILLE