Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-06-08

FEDERATE STATES, AS DEFINED b1 hbnpEAo
OF THE GOVERNMENT AND BY PARLIAhEN-
TARY LEADERS.
We have already published brief summary oil the
important debate touching affairs on this side the Allan
tic which occurred in the British Parliament the l6.h OF
last month Our neghbor of the Examiner has obtain
ed the following fuller report which renders more appa
rent the decisive determination Of the British Govern
ment not to tolerate the ayowed purpose of the Lincoln
Government to treat our prvateers as pirates nor TO ac
knowledge any blockade "awful" except such as it
will be next to impossible for the mercenares TO mair
tain.
The debate az the Examiner says, arose upon ques-
tions being asked the Lord President OF the council
Earl Granville with respect TO the Interpretation oil Her
Msiestys proclamation relative to British subjects who
might be private ring the side OF one oil the oege
rents 10 the war in this country.
The language OF both the Administration side and OPP
posou in this debate shows clearly that no party IN Eng
land Will permit British subjects TO be treated as pirates
IL captured when under commission for prvateerlng
from the Confederate States The language oil the Lord
Chancellor il so emphatic that call attention espe
cally to it, His concluding remark was that anybody
dealing with man, under those circumstances, (tnat Is
commissioned prvaeer by the Confederate states
as a pirate and putting him to death, wouu he con-
tended, BE- guilty OF murder
HOUSE, OF LORDS, May Is
The Earl of Peterborough Il did wish 10 have given
puhlic notice of nv intention TO put question 10 the
Lord President with respect to the Interpretation to be
nut on some expressions in Her sestys Proclamation
relative TO the conduct Of Her Msestys subjects in
spect to the war in America. As this house did not sit
Yesterday however had not the opportunity OF doing
So but hope the noble Earl will be prepared at once 10
give the explanations DESIRE II to me TO be
matter of essential importance that proclamation
instructiDg Her Msjestys subjects as TO the con-
duct they should pursue in that unhappy war should
be clear of all doubt and TO the last degree intel
Iigble to every indisdual-that man should not be
obliged to 60 his lawyer for opinion to the mean
ing of the expressions used and further, that il he
should go his lawyer there should be no difficulty Ill
assigning to the words their true Interpretation.
The instruction TO Her Meestys subjects relate, first
to the law Of England and thea to the law of nalions-
As 10 the law Of England it is clear enough there no
doubt all with respect to the duty imposed on her
Maiestys subjects. But to the law of nations, as
might naturally be expected there is great degree OF
DOUBT Her Majesty subjects warned mot TO break
any blockade lawfully and actually established by either
of the beligeren powers Now, the first question
wish to put to the noble Earl is in what sense we are
to understand these expressions? We at present IN
der an obligation TO adhere to the declaration on tue
subject of maritime law agreed to by Her Majestys Pen
poentiares and thoso of other Powers at Paris.
wish first TO know from the noble Earl in what sense
we are to understand the words used in the proclama
tion Do they intend convey the exact meaning with
the qualifications have mentioned OF the declaration
meaning Go they contain? Do they go below or beyond
the words eff that declaration? And why should not the
particular words there used be adopted this occason
confess very much regret 10 see 80 much vagueness
in the expressions used TO "contTaband OF war.
The proclamation speaks of arms military stores or
materials or any article articles considered and deem
ed to be cOnraband of war according to the law or
modern usage OF nations. How plain men TO find
out what articles have Of late been considered contra
band OF war by the usage of nations They must look
l.1IfL, NJ M
Jurisdiction not only n this country bU. in Others and
is highly probable that they will be found conflicting
with Que another. wish therefore, TO know what are
toe further articles not mentioned to which 1t Is Intend
ed that the proclamation should apply and which her
Msjesys subjects cautioned not to carry upon the
sea.
Earl Granylle-The questions put by the noble earl
aye certainly very important feel it someS hat iii
cult matter 10 speak upon questions OF international
law but, at the same time 1t Is my duty to give the no
be carl all the information can aud should happen
to make mistake shall be grateful TO learned lords
either side to me- il order that msaPprehen-
sion may 20 abroad subject OF so much importance
With respect to the first qucstiou-what meaning Is to
ne attached 70 the words "a blockade lawfully and sCtu
ally estAbshsG'l apprebend tia, although The sgree.
neu a, Paris is likely form epoch in the history OF
international law, and although 1t was cOncurred IN by
al. the nations OF Europe, aud by several American
States Yet not IN itself constitute change IN Ia
terEaton3 law excepting regards those IOneis whlch
siga'tisd their acceptance OF II.
/ believe further, with respect TO those coun-
res which entered into that agreement With u.s. that
what took place at Pans made no change as far as
blockades, lawfully aud actually established, are COLI
cerued That question OF international a~ remains ex-
ily the same before, With this GiereGce only that
mere paper bvcktdes will not in future De recognised
Before blockade be said t. b. lawfully and ac-
tuay established il be announced in proper form
and manner, aud the State declaring 1t mast have Oh
the spot such force as do not -ay 20 make ni-
possible but az any rate, 10 make IL very difficult for
vesssis to obtain egress or i"gres'.
The Earl of Derby The answer of the noble Earl is
Tor the most part entirely satisfactory. d. not feel
disposed 10 complain that the OF the proclamation
re- vague and uncertain II is impossible TO introduce
INTO PROCLAMATION Of this description such definition
u TIE character of blockade, OF cOntrabsnd OF war,
as would satisfy the conditions which seemed TO be laid
down by the noble Earl who first address ed the House.
Nor do | complain of The proclamation on the ground
tina, the warning it gives goes beyond the necessities Of
he case refer TO the warning which IL given TO Brit
h subjects against taking part in prvaee'ng eTpedi'
lions.
Tie proclamation wisely and properly informs the sub
ects Of Her Mlcsty that they should engage IN pnva
,eerng expeditions they would have no rgh whatever
might be the result TO claim the protection OF this coun-
Try against any penal consequences to which they might
render themselves Liable.
The Northern States the other hand cannot be en-
titled to claim the rights OF belgerents for themselves,
aud on the other 10 trel the Southern States not
oeligereuts but as rebels. These the two points
upon which it is desirable that clear understand
ng should be come 10 between Her maj stys Ministers
aud the Government Of tie Uutcd States-trs THAT WE
CANNOT RECOGNIZE ANY EXCEPT A REALLY EFfkcrIVE
BLOCKADE such as the United States may be able to
enforce aud, secondly that We CANNOT RECOGNIZE The
DOCTRINE THAT By ANY PROCLAMATION OR ANY LNACTMhNT
THE NoRrHERS STATLs HAVE POWER AS AGAINST THE
SOUTHERN CONFEDERATION TO TREAT PRIvATEERISG AS
PIRACY, AND TO VISIT II WITH DEATH.
Lord Brougham heartily wished that all p!ivateerng
we're piracy by the law OF nations, but uuhappy
aot His opinion upon this point had been misunder-
stood What he said was that privateerng, undertaken
ov the subjects OF country against the trade OF
other country with which their at peace,
amounted TO piracy. Privateering, however much 1t
might be reprehended was undoubtedly, in the OF
oelgsreuts not piracy according TO the law of nations,
that law al present understood and administered
but fanv persons subjects OF this country fitted GU.
vessel against another country with which sre at
peace that in itself constituted piratca act, and he
was clearly Of the opinion that the persons so acting
would have only themselves blame if after full warn
ing they entered upon that course.
Taaing into account the great changes and improve
meas in all the appliances OF warfare which had Of late
years taken place he should hold that coal might be
looked upon as amounting to contraband Of war; if fur
ushed to one OF the begerents be used in warfare
against the other. lie might add that he entirely con-
Cured in the opinion that it not necessary that
blockade in order be looked upon effective should
be of such render any part of the
coast impossible but that it would be sufficient TO con-
stitute il real blockade that it precuded the existence
of any reasonable chance OF entrance.
Lord Chelmsford said he wished to bring the opinion
which his noble AMI learned friend had given express
sion to test The Confederate States of America
admitted by her jestys Government 10 be entitled TO