Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1858-06-23
Our Relations with Great Britain--Debate
in the House of Lords

comtucTce.-
The Earl of Clarendon, who was occasion
ally very indistinctly heard in the gallery,
wished to put question to his noble friend
opposite, the Secretary for Foreign Affairs,
with reference to the subject to which the
alluded He wished to know whether his
noble friend could afford the House any in
formation that might tend to allay the great
uneasiness which had prevailed in the public
mind during the last few days with reference
to certain alleged proceedings on the part of
British cruisers, and the preparations it was
king to prevent acts which they regarded as
equivalent to that of search, which had never
been conceded by the United States and
which was looked upon in that country as a
national insult. He CLord Clarendon) be-
lieved that no information on the SUBJECT had
yet been received in this country beyond
certain erparte statements which had been
published in the United States, and the ab-
stract of some correspondence which had been
laid before the Congress By the President.
There was, therefore, no means of iudg ging
how far the cruisers of her Majesty had ex-
ceeded their instructions Ey stopping somo
American vessels which were engaged in the
coasting trade, and by firing into ethers He
not only hoped, but expected, that it would
be found there had been great deal of ex-
aggeration in the statements which had ap-
peared on this subject, and he had not doubt
that if his noble friend had received any in
formation he would not hesitate to lay it be-
fore their lordships At all events, his no.
bic friend would probably inform their lord
ships whether he had any communication
from the United States Government on the
subject, and in what state matters were. If.
as he Gord Ciarendon) had no doubt was
the case, no other or more stringent instruc-
tions had been sent out than those under which
cruisers had been i'll the habit Of acting, he
felt assured that not only were there no
grounds of quarrel between the two govern
ments, but that the irration which would be
justified if the statements that had been put
forth were true would be but momen.ary
There were no instructions of which he
he had any knowledge under which the COM
manders of British cruisers would be author
lied to do what it was said had been done,
and If they had exceeded their instructions
Her Majesty's Government could have no
hesitation in stating that that was the case.
This was question upon which, in his opin-
ion, it was requisite that great forbearanee
should be exercised by both Governments
(hear hear,) to prevent state of things
which neither Of them would desirc-an ex-
tension of the slave trade, or rupture of
political relations. The United States Gov
ernment were the first to declare the slave
trade piracy, and he was therefore convinced
that the President of the United Statos and
his Government were no more desirous than
were the Government of this country that
that trade should be extended. It could not
be concealed that vessels belonging to the
United States had carried on the slave trade
on the coast of Africa; and he did not sec
how, unless some right of search was given,
the real nationality of the flag of suspected
vessels could be ascertained. (Hear. hear.)
Such a right had been admitted by all
maratime nations for their common protcc-
tion for without it the most atrocious deeds
might be perpetrated and yet remain unpun-
ished. But the possession of such right
was a very different thing from the exercise
of it. He was certain that no officer com-
manding British cruiser, whatever his sus-
picions might be, would exercise the right of
searching an American vessel if he was re-
ally convinced that it was bona .tide American.
(Hear, hear) We were as proud as the
Americans were of the honor and indcpen-
donce of our Hag and just as determined to
pTOJCCt III HucucNcT pTOtcCtiOH Who
claimed and could be legitimately given (hear.
hear;) but made a cover for nefarious trans
actions, such as he had referred to; and, SO
far from finding fault with any foreign pow
ers which should interpose to prevent the
perpetration of such offences, we should rath-
er be obliged to them for their interference
(Hear.)
He did not think the American Govern
ment would differ from us on that point, and
he therefore hoped that both Governments
would calmly consider the matter, and con-
tinuing to entertain toward each other friend
ly feelings and sentiments of mutual respect,
come to some good understanding on the sub
ject. He wished to ask his noble friend wheth-
er any late communications on this subject
had passed between her Majestys Govern
ment and the Government of the United
States, and whether anything had occurred to
justify the apprehensions which had been en-
tertained? Hear, hear
The Earl of Malmesbury am extreme
ly glad that my noble friend opposite has
prefaced his question with the judicious Ian
guage which he has used on this subject
1t is of great advantage in moment of diff
Guilty, when difference arises between this
and any other country, that an eminent men,
Der of the opposition should rise in his place
and express sentiments and views like those
to which my noble friend has just given ut
terance. l am not in position to give the
House any ascertained information upon this
subject. Up to this time our information has
in great measure been derived from er porfe
statements made on the side of the Ameri-
can Government. If these arc correctly re-
ported, and proved to have really taken place
as described by the American Government,
certainly Her Majesty's Government are not
prepared to justify them (Hear.)
trust that a great deal of exaggeratiou
has taken place in the descriptions | have
seen. though, at the same time, must con-
fess fear that some acts have been committed
that are not iusti6able either By international