Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1861-05-24
American Affairs in Parliament.

The foreign files bring us full report of
Lord John Russel's reply in the House of
Commons to Mr.. Gregory's question as to
ithe belligerent rights" of the Confederate
States. Although we have already given its
main points, we may state that Lord Lyons,
the British Minister in Washington, had in
formed the British government that in his
opinion, the collection of duties outside of
Southern ports was impracticable, and Lord
John declares that sit is well knewn to Lord
Lyons, and it certainly has been declared
law by the United States, that no blockade
could be recognized or deemed valid unless
it were an effective blockade, hear, hear,
and have no doubt that there would be 10
difference between her Majesty's govern
ment and the government of the United
States on that point" Then, as to the rights
of helligerents, he says:
"The question has been under the consid-
Grafton of the government. They have con-
suited the law officers of the crown. The at
torney and solicitor general and the queens
advocate and the government have come to
| the opinion that the Southern Confsderacy
Of America, according to those principles
which seem TO be just principles, must be
treated as bellgerent Hear, hear" @..
This, of course, was quasi recognition of
the Southern government, and such recog
milton as will in British estimation treat her
ical Lord John. however. does not recog-
nize the right of these privateers to come
into British ports with prizes. He further
adds that other important questions for In
stance, as to what are the alterations which
are to be made In the law of nations in con-
sequence Of the declarations of Paris) re-
NAMED under consideration of the British
government.
On the 7th inst, Mr. Bentinck, in the
| House of Commons asked, in view of the
alarming news from the United States,
whether the British government did no! an
ticipate decreased receipts from customs, and
a necessity for increased ornaments.
Lord Palmerston replied:-No one can re-
greet more than | do the intelligence which
mas been received within the last few days
from America; but, at the same time, any
one must have been shortsi GIFTED and little
capable of anticipating the probable course
Of human events, who had not for long
forcsecn events Of a similar character to
those which we now deplore. Hear, hear.
EiOlH VIC C'lUllllCiiCclUclII VI lulS
quarrel between the two sections of the Uni
teG States, it was evident that the causes of
disunion were too deeply seated to make it
possible that separation would not take
place, and il was also obvious that passions
were SO aroused on both sides as to make it
highly improbable that such separation could
tnke place without ID contest. IN answer TO
the question of the honorable member, |
would say that, however much regret the
intelligence which we have received within
tue last few days, yet that intelligence ought
not, in my opinion, To make any difference
in the arrangements which, after the fullest
consideration, we considered were calculated
10 meet all the requirements Of the public
service during the present year. Hear,
hear.
Mr. Bentinck thought the noble lord had
not quite understood his question The no.
BILE lord said the results of the disturbances
in America had been anticipated in the 6nan-
cial arrangements. Did the noble lord mean
that arrangements had been made to meet
the expenses of increased ornaments and
the risk Of diminished revenues, hear, or
did he simply mean that he did not antic-
pate that any such consequences would re-
suit from the intelligence lately received
Hear hear.
Lord Pllinerston.-I thought | had, by
| implication ut least, answered all the ques-
lions Of the honorable gentleman. l do not
nerceiva any reason why we should apply to
Parliament for increased ornaments hear
in consequence Of the events which are TAX
ing place in North America, and also hopo
that the customs duties will not materially
suffer in consequence Of these events.
In the House of Commons, on the 9Th OF
May. Mr. w. Z. Forster asked the Secretary
vi State for the Home Department, whether
it was not criminal ofense against the pro-
visions Of the foreign enlistment act, for any
subject of her Majesty to serve on board any
privatcer licensed by the person assuming
as President Of the Southern Confederacy, to
exercise power over part Of the United
States, or for any person within her Majes-
ry's dominons to assist in the equipment OF
such privateer; and. if so, whether he would
take measures to prevent the infringement
Of the Law, either by her Majesty's subjects
or by any agents of the President of the
Southern Cnnfederacy who are now in Eng
land; and, also, whether any such privateer
conpped in a part OF her Majesty's domin-
ions would not be liable to forfeiture.
Sir G. c. Lewis.-It is in the conteupa-
ton of her Majes.y's government to issue a
proclamation for the purpose OF cautlonlng
all her Mnjesty's subjects against any inter
ference in the hostlites between the North
ern and Southern States Of America. In
that proclamation the general effect of tho
common and statute law on the matter will
be stated The general principle of our law
is that 90 British subject shall enter into the
service Of any foreign prince or power, or
engage in any hostlities that may be car
riel on between any two foreign States.
In the House Of Lords, on the 10th Of May,
the Earl vi. Derby said that he understood
that her Majestvs government had come t.
the conclusion that the Southern States OF
America were to be considered rs Il belligs-
rent power and had referred certain points
tn the consideration oC the law officers OF the
Crown. The Southern Contederacy has sent
out letters of marque far the purpose of coy
ering the sea with privateers, but the North
err S;a,c~ had declared an intention OF treat
ing priya,eers as pirates. lie wished to cali
the attention of the government to the posi-
tion IN which British sailors might be plac-
ed, for If there was one thing that had at
fractions tor them, it w#< priVateering. 1t
was also desirable that the British merchants