The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-03-01
Foreign Refugees in England


OF the depth whence love was yelling.
Foreign Refugees in England.
The following circular dispatch from "Earle
Granville to Her Majesty's Minister at Vienna
and st. Petersburgh, and Her Majesty's
Charges d'Affairs at Paris and Frankfort, has
been presented to Parliament:
"FoREIGN OFFICE, Jan. 13.
"My Lord Misrepresentation have been
made to her Majesty's government ON the part
of several European governments, through
their representatives at this Court, on the sub.
ject of the proceedings of foreign refugees now
residing in England, and it has been urgently
demanded that immediate and effective steps
should be taken by her Majesty's government
to put stop TO those intrigues and conspira-
cies against the governments of various Euro
pean powers in which foreign refugees now in
England, are asserted to be engaged.
"By the existing law OF Great Britain, all
foreigners have the unrestricted right of en-
trance and residence in this country and,
while they remain in it, ere equally with Bri-
tlsh subjects, under the protection of the law
nor can they be punished except for an offence
against the law; and under the sentence Of
the ordinary tribunals Of justice, after public
trial, and on q conviction founded on evidence
given in open court. No foreigners, as such
can be sent out of this country by the execu-
virtue of treaties with other states, confirmed
by act of parliament, for the mutual surrender
of criminal offenders.
"British subjects, however, or the subjects
of any other stute residing in this country, and
therefore owing obedience to its laws, may, on
conviction of being concerned in levying war
against the government of any state at amity
with Great Britain, be punished by fine and
imprisonment. Offenders in this respect are
w nat Ov
by the government.
measures in the form of alien acts have
been at different times resorted to by the
British Legislature, by which the power of
expelling foreigners in case of necessity, has
been conferred on the executive government
but such powers, even when asked only for the
maintenance of internal tranquility, have been
regarded by the people of this country with
jealousy.
"The general hospitality thus extended by
our institutions TO all who choose to come to
England has from time to time been the means
OF attordng secure asylum to political re-
fugecs of all parties, many of them illustrious
in rank and position. Among them may be
mentioned kings and princes of the two
branches of the Bourb n family and the prime
ministers of France and Austria.
alt is obvious that This hospitality could not
be so freely given if it were so widely extend.
ed. If a discretionary power Of removing for
eigners was vested in the Crown, appeals
would be constantly made by the dominant
party in foreign countries for the expulsion Of
their political opponents who might have taken
refuge in Great Britain. Monarchical govern
ments might object to Republican refugees;
and Republican governments might object to
Royalist refugees; and it would be difficult to
defend such hospitality, which would then
be founded upon favour, and not upon equal
laws.
"It is the earnest wish of her Maiestv's gov
ernment to promote as far as is 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 the present occa-
sion, in applying to the legislature for any ex-
traordinary or further powers in reference TO
foreigners resident in England, and they have
no reason TO doubt that this opinion is shared
both by the parliament and the public of this
| country.
"With reference to the intimation that excep-
tlonal measures of precauton may be taken
against British subjects travelling abroad, her
MaJesty's government cannot complain it,
while insurreciion is raging, or its flame is
scarcely extinguished, foreign governments
should take precautions against suspected Eng
lish travellers.
"Her Majesty's government adhere to the
principle laid down by Viscount Palmerston
in MS note OF the oUth oil september, lS4S, TO
the United States envoy at this Court, in rela-
ton TO certain citizens of the United States.
who had come direct thence to Ireland, then
in state of partial insurrecton.
Lord Palmerston did not, in that note, ask
for any change in the American laws, and he
expressly forbore TO press the President of the
United States with representations against the
offenders, but merely said that those who vis-
tied country in state of insurrecton, must
take their chance like persons whom curiosity
might lead into field of battle and that the
American government must not take II amiss,
if citizens ofthe United States, who visited Ire
land at that time, were involved in the conse-
qnence of measures aimed al men of differ
ent description. The measures, however, to
which he alluded, were taken with reference
only to persons to whom, under the peculiar
circumstances of the moment, suspicion at
taehed. But il would be in the highest degree
unjust and unworthy Of the enlightened char
acter of any European government, and who'll
ly unwaranted by the course pursued by the
British government on that occasion, TO put
vexatous impedments in the way of unofend-
ing English travellers, by way of retaliation
for the acts of foreign refugees 10 England
While, however, her Majesty's government
cannot consent. al the request of foreign go-
vernmenis, to propose change in the laws of
England, they would not only regret but would
highly condemn, any attempts on the part Of
foreign refugees in England TO excite insurrec-
tion against the governments Of their respec-