The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-02-28
SPEECH OF SENATOR JAMES,
or Rn0nr leland,


The resolution OF Mr. Mason calling the correspondence
in the recruitment natter being before the Senate
N Mr. JAMES said; Mr. President, wish to express my
hearty with and approval Of the resolution OF
ered by the honorable senator from Virginia IL is time SIR
that the country should be made acquainted with all the
facs connected with tho pending controversies between
government and that OF Great Britain. We as yet
in possession Of the documents relative 70 one Of the
two great questions only presented with the Pres.oens
annual message and which relate 10 what termed he
Central American question II may prove that those
which the other qucstionha of enlistmens In
this country for the British service in Russaespecally
demand the grave consideration Of Congress do not
design anticipate what the President may deem proper
communicate the subject bnt avail myself OF his
opportunity to make two three statements OF matters
important the country which seem to have passed
from notice here and 10 be altogether unknown 10
Great Britain These faca due reflection Will serve to
fully justify the pursued by the American govern
ment.
Sir the British declaration Of against Russia bears
date Westminster March, 2s 1854 On the 2lst OF April
ensninp Mr. Champion the British minister 10 the United
States communicated the fact of this declaration to onr
government (Sce Executive poc- lat Series VOL III,
Thirty-Third Cong, H. Doc. l05)
Mr. Champion also presented another declaration tear
Ing the date in which his government expressed its
intention waive for the present In favor OF neutral conn
mcrce of s previous pretensons to bcgerent rights
In making this communication, Mr. Champion proceeded
express the earnest hope OF his government tha me
government Of the United States would not suffer any Pri
vaeers under Russian coors TO be fitted out and equipped
in any of its ports and that government would pre-
any Of citizens from taking part in any such ar
of the nation IN oer procedure ~ c,olaion
Of strict neutrality. To this Mr. Marcy Secretary OF State
replied, under date Of the sams oonth--Apr % and,
after other pertinent observations proceeds 10 say 10
Mr.. Champion as follows;
The undersigned Il directed by the President stse to
her Msiestys minister this government that the United
States, while claiming the full enjoyment of their rights
neutral power will Observe the stricsst neutrality towards
esc aud all the begeren The laws OF this country im-
ppn all peron who NAV be residents within any Of the Ter
oric OF the United States against eqnppng prva,eer,
receiving commissions enstng therein Tor the pur-
nf t1k kinpa mart D
hcnded that there will be any attempt 70 volste the w
pointed he will fail In his duty all the power with
which be Invested enforce obcdence to them Consider-
atons Of inere, obligations Of duty alike give assur-
anoe that the citizens o the United will In wsy
copromt the neutrality o tho country by participating M
the contest in which the principal powers OF Europe are no"
unhapply engaged"
The Senate win perceive that Mr.. Marcy here sf-
the British government In the most emphatic and eH-
plcit terms not only that our government van no' soW
priyaisers be fitted out equipped IN any Of our
rorts but that they viii not allow any men TO lie enste
in the United States. may bera remark that when M
Champion applied to have naval equipments ~ isvD. S os
the acl that sns, equipments were no moro VIOLATION ot
the Of neutrality than the enlistment OF mon or th
land service o Great Britain " he did not lose sight OF
n he should ha borne in mind that his application for
the government 10 prevent the violation Of the laws OF neu
rslity In favor Of hnssn implied pledge Of honor
that neither he nor his government would attempt their
violation sainr, Russia and In favor Of Great Britain
Mr. Mary would have permitted himself TO presume
that Mr.. Champion would be guilty Of the ndeccnoy TO aek
against Rnseis snd 1osa In favor Of Great Britain
We therefore bad perfect right TO look on this apea-
ton a declaration If honor the part Of The British
government that they lea would respect neural-
ty and our laws LET Russia attempt what sbe might
Notwithstanding this implied pledge of honor different
course pursued. The British Parliament was assem-
bled early day tho special call Of the minister u
the 9TH day of December, 1856; for the special
purpose primarily Of enabling the minister TO have Law
enacted for the enlistment 81 Foreigners into the Brsh
service The bin introduced into the House OF Lords
The frat day Of The session and had s second reading
days aftcrwnras and pressed With the Whole
power III the government through that House in little
more than one week The bill introduced BY tho
Duke Of Newcastle then Minister Of War and YVES advo-
Gated and defended chiefly by him and the Marquis OF
Iausdowne II earnestly opposed by oihers suth as
ihe Earl ~ Peterborough and the Earl Of Derby The
minister trne did expressly esy but certainly al
lowed of Lords 70 suppose that the foreign
listmen brcitecod by secret arrangements with
Of the governments Of Europe and under this tss
impression the bin finally passed the House Of Lords An
ts appears clearly from tbe speeches delivered both
aidrs OF the question, az reported by Iianssrd.
From the Houae of Lords the foreigner istmeut
introduced into the House Commons by Lord John Rus
SELL and pushed through by his efforts and those az Lord
Paerson against tho most anxou, aud earnest resist
not odly o. their political Opponents in the Com
mons but aso by many " their friends u earnestly
opposed hy Lord Stanley Mr. Dsrae Sir Edward Lyton
Bolwer and many others, who felt and declared that t
would be dishonorabe England thus 10 express nd-
recily conviction of the military iucompsency OF her
T~opla aud other countries begging or
steaing Eight ber battles with Rnssia To
All this the reply OF Lord John Russell was well that
OF Lord Palmestou, must bare The BILL oS we cannot
carry on the war without II hbscomss s,er, necessity