Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-07-23
ToOMMUNIoATED TO THE spEcTAToR.l
- Letter from Europe.
LoNpON. England, June 23rd,

[ooMMUNIoATED TO TIE spEorAroR.]
Letter from Europe.
LONDON, England, June 23rd, 1856.
Esteemed Friend:- In my last letter, / prom.
ised you the notings Of my excursion to the
Lakes of Killarney, distant from Dublin 1876
miles. The scenery and legendary associations
of the Lakes OF Killarney, will ever make them O
point of attraction and thrilling interest to the
tourist. / will defer notice of my excursion
to Killarney to future letter, and notice briefly
in this the proceedings of the British House of
Commons in reference to existing relations be-
tween Great Britain and the United States For
some days previous, it was known that on the
18th certain interrogatories would be PROFOUND
ed to the Ministry in relation to the intended
policy of the Government toward the United
States, growing out of the dismissal Of Cramp-
ton, and the Central American question:
Through the courtesy of our Minister, Mr. Dallas,
obtained admission to the House, and found
when arrived there, the space allotted to spec
tstors filling up very rapidly. There is deep,
abiding, and may say, intense interest mani
tested by the English in reference to the rela-
tions between the two countries, and but one
feeling and sentiment pervading all classes, (os-
tensibly, and believe really, THAT pending
difficulties may be brought to an amicable issue.
When | first entered, the House was engaged
with some local bill. but soon after resolved it
self into committee upon military estimates,
when general call from the members brought
forth Lord John Russell. After good deal OF
confusion. the speaker succeeded in restoring or
'der-Lord John arose, and, in very low tone
of voice, stated he did not think the House COM
petent to dispose of the bill then before them,un
less something definite was known as to the in
tentions of Her Majesty's Government toward
the United States lie cherished the hope, and
expressed the opinion that it was not the inten-
ton of the Government to suspend diplomatic
relations with the United States. He did not
think as yet anything had transpired to inter-
rupt the amicable relations Of the two nations.
He did not conceive that the dismissal of Mr..
Champion, accompanied as it was with explana-
tions from the American Government, furnished
sufficient grounds or cause to interrupt the dip
lomatic intercourse of the two Governments
He referred to numerous instances OF a similar
character, in which the amity of the respective
countries were not interrupted. lie advcrted to
the dismissal of Genet, the French Minister, in
1794-during Washington's Administration
and, with noble frankness, he paid the memory
of Washington high tribute Of respect Here
ferred to him as one of the great men, (of the
worlds past history) renowned not only In the
field, but alike distinguished in the Cabinet for
the adoption of wise and judicious national
policy He called the attention OF the Ministry
10 the dismissal of Mr.. Jackson, the British Min
ister, in 1SO9-during Mr.. Madison's Admins
tration; thesdismissal Of Mr.. Poussin, the French
Minister, by the American Government in 1850,
in which the peace OF the respective Govern
ments was not interrupted. lie hoped Her Maj
esty's Government would regard these Install
ces as precedents, or rules, and act i'll pursuance
thereof. In regard to the Central American diff
fcuty, he was decidedly of the opinion that the
whole question was open to negotiation. lie
viewed Mr.. Marcy's dispatch to the American
Embassy as calm and dispassionate, though it
maintained all of the positions the American
Government had previously claimed, yet he un-
derstood the dispatch as asserting to the arbi-
tration of certain points, which, if arranged and
adopted by the two Governments, would obyi-
ate all cause of serious misunderstanding 1t
would be impossible to estimate the ruinous con-
seouences to both countries, il q war should en-
sue. In such contest, the cause OF humanity,
the cause of commerce, and the cause OF civilza-
ton. would suffer. 1t was equally obvious that
all who felt an interest in the cause of freedom
and liberty, would deeply deplore such an event.
On the other hand, it was quite as manifest to
him, that there was not despot on the conti-
nent, who trampled upon freedom and the rights
of man, but would rejoice at war between the
only two free nations on earth. Lord Russell
was repeatedly applauded by the cries of "hearr,
hear" from the members of House, during his
speech His manner Of speaking is plain, with
out any effort at defamation want OF anima-
ton, as we'll as an entire absence OF gestculatlon,
makes his style rather monotonous.
Lord Palinerston responded in behalf OF the
Ministry-was happy to inform the noble Lord
and the House, that Her Majesty's Government,
having duly weighed and considered all the
bearings of the matter of difficulty, as well as
the relations between the two countries, did not
deem it expedient to stop diplomatic intercourse
with the United States, through Mr.. Dallas
Though matters had assumed menacing aspect,
and the future was obscured by the lowering
cloud of war, yet he believed that the wisdom
and forecast Of both nations would prevent q
collision. 1t was well known that Her MAJ
esty's Government was never in better po-
sition to carry on O war, if war was forced up
on the country; but it at the same time furnish
ed good reason why Great Bakain could, with
out derogation to her national dignity, 'act with
calmness, with moderation, and with due delib-
Grafton" The many causes of union and mutu-
al interest between the two countries, demanded
the most diplomatic proceedings from both gov
ernments, and he hoped that, instead OF the
breach being widened it would be narrowed
down until the ties of amity would be so closely
cemented as to form reciprocity OF interest and
feeling between the two nations, that would for
ever Danish all cause of collision. There were
- IL. i'm nr1 A
trail American question:-Iler Majestys Govern
ment had not fully canvassed, and hence were
not prepared to give the noble Lord, or the
House, an official answer at that time. He
would again assure the noble Lord, aud the
House. that Her Majesty's Government would
do everything, consistent with the dignity and
honor Of the nation, to avoid an open rupture
or collision with the United States. Lord Pal
merston was repeatedly cheered, particularly
when he declared the extreme desire of the Gov
ernment to avoid war with the United States
D'Israeli followed Lord Palmerston, and asked
why those national chickering's and difficulties
were of so frequent recurrence between Great
Britain and the United States. He conceived
the British Government were responsible, IN
great measure, for the sensitive policy exhibited
in ANYTHING which concerned the national hon.
or or interest of the Aalerican Government
The unwise policy which Great Britain had seen
nroper to pursue, in watching and exhibiting
most Jealous feeling at every new acquisition OF
territory or expansion Of power, was productive
of unbanpy tendencies, ard would continue to be
a prolific source of jarring, so long as England
adhered to the policy. It would be wise il Eng.
land would ut last recognise that the United
States like all tile great countries of Europe had
q noI;cv and that Il had a right to have policy.