Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-06-07
The Position OF England with Regard to
PrivateorIng and the Blockade.

The Position OF England with Regard 10
PrivateorIng and the Blockade.
We pl int this morning the important debate in
the British House of Lords on the 10th ult on the
subjects of privateering and the blockade of the
Southern ports by the LINCOLN Government. In
commenting on this debate, the London Times of the
18th ult says
The argument of Lord Derby seems to be that the
North, by declaring a blockade of the Southern
ports. claims from neutral nations the respect due
TO its rights belllgerent Power: and therefore
that whatever the North may choose to do with
the citizens of the Southern States captured on
board the privateers fitted out under Letters of
Marque from Mr.. Jefferson Davis, the North has
right to treat the begerent rights of the South
nulty with regard to the subjects OF countries from
whom it claims respeetfor its own beligerent rights
The result would be that the North. by declaring
blockade of the Southern ports, has bound itself
not to execute pirates the subjects OF neutral
States serving on board such privateers The argu-
ment is one of great subtlety and refinement and
seemed to receive confirmation from the arguments
of subsequent speakers. 1t is clear that English
subjects serving on board an American privsteer"
not pirates, though if they choose so to act the
English government. by the proclamation, seems to
avow its intention of leaving them to pirates fate
1t may possibly deserve consideration whether this
decision can be strictly adhered to. At any rate,
we cannot doubt that the authoritative declaration
of the law by SO many Judges of eminent authority
and may possibly be the means of introducing into
the very commencement of a dreadful civil war
those principles Of humanity and moderation the
operation of which might otherwise be suspended
until enforced and demonstrated by the barbarous
logic Of reprisals.
This debate seems to have cleared away every
doubt which LINCoIN's adherents entertained as to
the position England will occupy with regard to the
Southern Confederacy. The New York Times de-
cares that the temper of the British mind is
disclosed with the utmost frankness That the Eng
&" lish Government and the English aristocratc and
middle classes have cordial sympathy with our
Government. and incline decidedly to the cause of
''the rebels is demonstrated only by the Royal
Proclamation, but by the debates in both Houses
'of Parliament. and by the aggregate tone of Eng
'lish journalism. The declaration of neutrality is
admitted by nearly every editorial comment to be
"a bio in ia, or of the insurrectOn. 1t is conced
led that any declaration whatever would have
"this leaning: but the one actually published,
hanced its offensive quality by the eager haste with
which it was issued; by its effect in closing the
English market for arms TO our loyal people, who
chad just appeared as buyers, while the rebels had
''been permitted to perfect their armament without
''molestatiOn; by its intended mischievous in
driving from our Navy, all British subjects, who
compose so important portion of the force in
that arm of the service These significant
admissions.