The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-07-31

and of any other papers or correspondence that may
passed between the British and other powers
upon the same subject"
The motion was seconded by Mr.. Gilpin
Lord Palmerston said in point Of fact her Majesty
government not officially in possession of the letter
of Mr. Marcy to the French government and WERE there
fore, not in position 10 lay il before Parliament That
however, technical objection He apprehend-
ed that what his honorable friend Mr. Lindsay meant
that there should be laid before Parliament any
respondence that had passed between the British govern
men and the French government the subject in ques-
ton. Now what happened was this.
The resolutions of the Paris Congress were communi-
Gated by the parties 10 those resolutions TO all the other
maritime States and among Others to the United States
of America The government of the United States there
upon sent answer TO the French government exactly
in the terms stated by his honorable fendthat TO
say they were willing to agree to the proposition in ref
erence to prvateerng provided private property at
were no longer to be subject to capture.
That was the communication made by the last govern
ment of the United States and the subject which
required the gavest consideration the part of the Brit
ish government because whatever might be the opinions
which any gentleman might entertain this question at
the first blush of it, could fail TO see, reflection
that all great commercial maritime and naval inter
ests involved in it, and that answer could be
given to such communication without careful and pro-
longed delibemton.
In the mean time there was change in the government
of the United States and before any could be sent
to that communication by the British government the
new President into office, and an intimaton was
made by the government of the United States to her
Majestys government to the effect that they would not
expect to the communication in question and
that in point of fact they desired the matter to be
sidered suspended. Under these circumstances he
trusted his honorable friend would that it would not
be desirable to lay before Parliament the communication
made by the last government of the United States of the
views they entertained of the question under the
of the House. Hear, hear.
At all events in that state of things he ord Palmer
ston) should certainly think it necessary enter into
fha
sition made by the government of the United States But
there topic to which his honorable friend had adj
verted and in reference to which he must make re-
mark There very decided rule in regard to the
practice pursued land during with regard to treat
ment of the property of private individuals in hostile
country That practice had varied very much from time
to time, and in different countries 1t very difficult
in fact to establish any rule in regard to the mode Of
dealing with private property shore under such cir
which would not apply at to private
property the ocean But that a question which
could not be discussed properly motion of this kind
hear, hear and he trusted, after the explanation he
had given his honorable friend would not press his
ton for documents part of which her Majesty govern
ment not officially in possession, and the remaining
part of which, for the he had assigned they did
not deem it expedent to give. Hear, heart
After remarks by Lord John Russell and Sir
Charles Napier, the motion was withdrawn.
TIE HOUSE OF COMMONS TO THE QUEEN
AGAINST THE NEW AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE.
In the House of Commons, the night Of July IA
MIR. Charles Buxton moved address to her Majesty
praying that she will be pleased to employ all the
in her power in order to put down the African slave trade
and to obtain the execution of the treaties made for that
purpose with other powers He desired he said not to
embaass the government but to strengthen their hands
He urged the increase of the Cuban slave trade and its
horrors; on the other hand, he dwelt upon the
prospect of supply of cotton from Africa which nothing
could facilitate than the suppression of the slave
trade, the tolerance of which by Spain in direct
taventon of treaty engagements Hesuggested whether
under the circumstances could not adopt the
course with Cuba had successfully taken with
Brazil He discussed other expedients which had been
proposed for the extinction of this detestabe traffic which
occasioned rghtful waste of life in Africa ITSELF and
which now existed only in Cuba.
The motion was supported by Mr.. Newdegate.
Mr. Watln attributed the extension to the slave trade
to the increased value of slave labor where it
qured, and contended that England encouraged that
trade by its large imports of save-raised cotton.
Lord Palmerston admitted that the motion calcu
lated to strengthen the hands of the government We
had to lament, he sad that Spain had not been alive
she ought to have been to her treaty obligations and
money payments; but there temptations at Cuba
which it was difficult for the governors to resist.
He thanked Mr.. Buxton for having ELECTED what he
was convinced would be the unanimous opinion of the
House in favor of his motion and he assured him that
no efforts should be wanting the part of the govern
ment to give full effect to it.
The motion was agreed to.
IErnno Occos