Daily national Democrat., 1861-06-14
Debate in the English House OF Lords
on the Subject OF PriYateering.

The following is an extended report of the
discussion in the House of Lords on the 10th
of May.
The Earl of Derby said; The point to
which | wish to call the attention of your
lordships, is the position in which British
seamen may probably be placed in conse-
quence of the announcements made by the
southern and the Northern States. If there
is one mode of warfare which has more at
fractions for scam2n than another, it is pre-
ciscly the system Of privateering.
Piivateering is sort of sea poaching, and
is peculiarly attractive to the more reckless
aud dissolute class of sailors. It. combines
induce%lents-a certain amount of daring,
certain amount of risk and considerable
chances of northumberland which, cou-
Piled with drink apart from any question of
distress or poverty, which believe does not
form an element in more thon one case out of
a hundred-are precisely those that lead to
poaching in England, and are also precisely
those that would lure seamen into the priva-
teering service But, unfortunately, the
American law on the subject is of rather
stringent character, because it attaches the
penalty of death to the crime of privateer-
ing. 1t is, therefore, important TO those Brit
ish seaHlen who are liable to be attracted bv
the various inducements of privuteering, that
they should know upon what footing they
stand with respect to their rights as British
subjects. Hear, hear.
| need not say that the ofense of entering
upon the privateering service is an offence
against the Foreign Enlistment Act, but that
act does not impose any penalty SO severe as
that of capital punishment; and ifa British
seaman who has entered one of the Southern
privateers who has been captured by n
Northern ship of war and who may be con-
demned to death, is entitled to claim any pro
lection, even for his life, from his own Gov
ernment, cannot conceive anything more
| certain to involve us in most serious and en-
barrassing complications with the United
States, or more likely to render us, almost
necessarily, parties in that unhappy contest
from which cordially join with the noble
lord at the head of the foreign office. in the
earnest desire that we may continue to stand
| aloof. Hear, hear On the other hand, if
British seaman 10y entering Southern pri-
vateer does not forfeit his right to claim the
protection of his own Government, which /
apprehend lac would do, il should be distinct
ly and publicly made known to him on the
part of the Government that if he is led into
! such "A criminal undertaking from any temp
tation whatever and if he is thereby exposed
to the most serious consequences. even in the
loss of his life 10y judicial sentence, in that
case his blood will be on his own head, and
he must not expect the slightest interference
| on the part OF this country to save him from
consequences, however deplorable provoked
| by his own rashness. Hear, hear.
understand that a proclamation is about
to be issued by the Government on the sub
ject of belligerent rights hope that in that
| a M n ~,
warning will be given to all seamen in the
service of her Majesty as to the conditions
upon which they will engage in the system
! OF privateering. There should be no doubt
left on their minds, but the fullest and plain
est intimation should publicly be made to
them whether if they do engage in such IL
service. they will, or will not, in extremity,
be entitled to expect any protection or inter-
ference on the part of this country. TIIear,
hear hope my noble friend will state to
your lordships whether the Government have
come to any conclusion upon this question ;
and, if so, whether they are prepared forth
with to issue public proclamation indca-
ting the course they intend to pursue, and
'he consequences likely to result TO British
seamen.
Earl Granvile-The noble Earl has
evinced becoming appreciation of the diff
culties which may arise to ourselves from the
state of things in the United States. With
respect, however, to the question OF the bel
ligerent rights of the parties now unhappiy
engaged in war, the noble Earl has not ask ed
for an expression of opinion on the part of
the Government, and therefore am absovcd
from entering into a discussion of that most
important, difficult and delicate subject. But
the noble Earl has inquired whether it is our
intention to issue proclamation warning
the subjects of Her Majesty against in any
manner departing from that neutrality which