The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-06-22
RELATIONS OF TIE UNITED s1AIES AND
ENGLAND.
THE SEARCH QUESTION IN PARLIAMENT,
Prom Proceedings in Parliament, june sti,.

noble friend opposite the Secretary for Foreign Affairs
with reference TO the subject to which the noble and
learned lord Brougham] had just alluded. He wished
know whether his noble friend could afford thc House
any information that might tend to alay the great
uneasness which had prevailed IN the public mind during
the last few days with reference to certain alleged pro-
ceengs the part of British cruisers and the prepare
tions it said the United States government
making to prevent nets which they regarded equya
lent to that right of search which had been
coded by the United States and which looked upon
in that country national insults He QOrd Clarendon
believed that information the subject had yet been
received in this country beyond certain ae statements
which have been published in the United States and the
abstract of correspondence which had been laid be-
fore the Congress by the President There WAS there
fore, of Judging how far the cruisers of her
Majesty had exceeded their instructions by stopping
American vessels which engaged In tho coasting
trade and by firing into Others He not only hoped
but expected that IL would be found there had been
great deal of sxaggeraton in the statements which had
appeared this subject and he had mo doubt that his
noble friend had received any information he would not
hesitate to lay it before their lordshs At events his
noble friend would probably inform their loshps whether
he had any communication from the United States gov
crnment the subject and in what state matters were
IT. he lord Clarendon) had no doubt was the case no
other stringent instructions had been sent out
than those under which cruisers had been in the habit of
acting felt assured that not only there grounds
of quarrel between the two governments, but that the
irritation which would be justified If tho statements that
had been put forth true would be but mOmentary
There instructions of which he had any know-
edge under which the commanders OF British cruisers
would he authorized to do what said had been DONE
and ii they had exceeded their instructions Her Maestys
government could have hesitation in stating that that
the This was question upon which, In his
opinion it requisite that great forbcarance should be
exercised by both governments hear hear to prevent
state OF things which neither OF them would desire
extension Of the slave trade rupture Of political rea
tons. The United States government the first to
declare the slave trade piracy and he therefore
WINGED that the President Of the United States and his
ernnent DESTROYS than the government
this country that that trade should be extended Itcoud
not be concealed that vessels belonging to the United States
had carried the slave trade the coast OF Africa and
he did how unless right of search given,
the real nationality of the flag Of suspected vessels could
be ascertained Hear, hear Such right had been ad
United by all maritime nations for their common protec
ton for without it the most atrocous deeds might be
perpetrated and yet remain unpunished But the pos
session of such right very different thing from
the exercise of it. He certain that officer
manding British cruiser whatever his suspicious might
be- would exercise the right of searching American
vessel if he really convinced that 1t bona fde
American Hear hear We were as proud the
Americans of the honor and Independence flag
and Just determined to protect it whenever protection
lawfully claimed and could be legitimatey given,
hear hear but should consider flag furnished if
it made for nearous transactions such he
had referred to and far from finding fault with any
foreign powers which should nterpose prevent the per-
petraton of such offences should rather he obliged to
them for their interference Hear He did not think
point and he therefore hoped that both
would calmly consider the matter and continuing to
terrain towards each other friendly feelings and senti
mens of mutual respect, come to some good understand
ing the subject. He wished to ask his noble friend
whether any late communications ON this subject had
passed between her Majesty government and the govern
of the United States and whether anything occurred
to justify the apprehensions which had been entertained
Hear hear s RNt
The Earl OF MALxEsnURY am extremely glad that my
noble friend opposite has preaced his question with the
judicous language which he has used on this subject
1t is of great advantage in moment Of difficulty when
difference arises between this and any other country
that eminent member Of the opposition should rise in
his place and express sentiments and views like those to
which my noble friend has just given utterance am
not in position to give the House any ascertained in
formation upon this subject. Up to this time in
formation has, in great measure been derived from
e1 1ae statements, made the side of the American
If these correctly reported aud proven
to have really taken place described by the American
government certainly her Maestys government not
prepared to justify them Hear trust that great deal
of exaggeraton has taken place in the descriptions have
seen though at the time, must confess fear that
some acts have been committed that are not usiable
either by international law by the treaties that exist
between this country aud the United States. am in
formed TINT occasion body of men landed
from Of her Maiestys ships on the coast of Cuba
though that is OF Spanish question, which
only be incidentally mentioned when speaking with re-
gard to America Statements have also been made that
considerable annoyance has been occasoned to American
trading vessels lying ct anchor at Havana from system
Of rowing around those vessels watching their crgoes
taken out and taken in exercising surveillance and esp
onage them and finally chasing them out to
after they left the port 1t has also been stated that many
American ships in the Gulf have been brought to by
cruisers and searched Now, say have not the least
idea whether these statements correct not. but
these the statements made, and your lordshs know
that neither international law the treaty Of 1S43
would justify in taking such measures these. en-
tirey agree with what my noble friend has said to the
American flag being constantly prosttuted to the
slave trade, and other illegal acts, and think 1t is
highly desirable that agreement should be made
between the two countries, by which it may be distinct
ly understood what proceedings ought to be taken by
their officers respectively for cfectuay discovering the
impositions to which l have alluded, and which will
not be offensive to honest traders Hear hear 1t is
to that point have directed the attention of the gov
of the United States and that later than
conversation which had this morning with the Amer
lean minister and think may say there has not been
any great difference Of views between Hear hear
After that conversation has been reported to the United
States government, after the delivery Of the despatch
which have written to Lord Napier, and after the
ders that have been sent to officers in those
hope there win Ike repetition Of such acts have been
these circumstances feel that this country need remain
under apprehension that anything will occur break
the alliance that happily exists between the two
tries. Hear, hear.
The Earl Of Harwick said II any excess had been
mitted by any Of the officers commanding in those
it not in consequence Of the instructions that they
had received Hear
| The House then adjourned
THE TIMES ON THE RIGHT OF SEARCH
From the London Times, June o.