The New York herald., 1862-03-08
AMERICAN AFFAIRS IN PARLIAMENT.
The Blockade and England's Neutrality.
rYIRO q,

The Blockade and England's Neutrality.
SPEECH OF THE O'DONOGHUE.
In the House Of Commons, on the 20th ultimo, TIE
O'DoNoauE rose to move for returns Of the number
OF vessels that have, during the past six months
brokon tho blockade Of the Southern ports OF Ame-
rica. He hoped her Majesty's government would not
refuse 10 lay those returns on the table. Unless they
produced it would be impossible TO discuss fully
many questions likely to arise IN the present
poston of affairs in America Tho production OF the
turns would go long way towards enabling thcm to
form accurate opinion such questions efficiency
or uoneconcy of tho blockade Of the Southern ports
and whether the had ededpoed 10 carry
ha, policy of msuvany TO which pledged both by
her Maestys proclamation and its declarations 1t
imperative duty OF the government to furnish the
reliable evidence on all these points. was fire.
queutly stated that this blockade Ineffective,
and that, therefore, feet cight 70 be des-
patched TO break il and an honorable member
resolution declaring that the blockade merely
a paper one He believed that the House was
not now IN position 70 discuss that subject or 70 adopt
such resolution; and therefore he asked from the
government tho fullest Information. As far as Tie
House and the country ,oere tnrmsd there eened be
justification for calling the blockade paper en On the
contrary, the distress iohea had been occaoned in Ian
oasre aud Lyons by the dedrth OF cotton Seemed 10 shOw
that Il ,p1s effective No doubt numbers OF
sells had the blockade but he submitted that the in
ference from that not that the blockade ought no
longer TO be recognized but that the American govern
ment had been unable to accomplish mpossibility-
viz tho dramatically sealing Of three thorsand miles OF
coast The returns for which ho asked referred exciu
svely TO British vessels and that chiefly for this reason,
that according TO the statements which had appeared in
the newspapers, especially in the Times, II was only
doubt the enterprise OF British sailors 10 be ap
pauded but ought not to be allowed to set at defiance
tho policy OF neutrality TO which her Maestys govern
ment had pledged the country 1t was notorious that
many persons In this country were anxious that the
Southern states should be recognized aud imagined that
IL they could show that the blockade had not been alto
gsher perfect they could obtain such recognition but he
maintained tnat the government could not without FOR
fcture Of their consistency and dignity listen TO parsons
who having set at d5hanc9 the Queens proclamation
and the blockade urh ress laden Nth ngnaions Of
soar adduced this fact as proof that The blockade in
States 30 force The blockade aud nerd icere % declare
agatna the Unied &d,s In the year lSaS measures
wero adopted prevent vessel fitted for the
sistance or the Scian Parliament from reaching its dcs
tinstion Jta although the attention Of he government had
been publicly called 10 the fact that resseis oditng
in English ports nth munitions of for The Southern
States steps had been taken % prevent them accomplishing
their An auson in recent letter OF Earl Rus
sells TO what had occurred the port Nassau con
hrmod report that vessels noortousty devtned for the
Sohsvw Sote' ard idden w,m articles e.,atana ar
port, 10 rent and TO receive supplies OF coal and
other necessaries bat. that had occurred while at the
time vessels belonging TO the United states had
been refused the necessary supplies surely the author
ties Nassau deserved direct than
than contained the letter Of the noble earl He hoped
doing would show their anxiety 70 afford the fullest
possible Information, and 10 maintain friendly relations
with the great republic OF America The honorable me
Der concluded by moving address "for Of the
number OF British vessels, with the names far
be ascertaned OF their captains and owners respectively
that have succeeded, within the past months,
ming the blockade OF the Southern ports Of America
similar rotrn as 10 the BRUSH vessels that have been
captured destroyed in tho attempt break the block
ads and return Of the number and description Of British
vessels, II any that have put into the port OF Nassau
N p and other colonial ports laden with articles con.
traband OF war and with supplies for the Confederate
Satos, and that have been pormtod rot and supply
themselves with stores by the authorities those places
In contrayenton of the Queens proclamation and of the
neutrality which II is the expressed desire OF her
Majesty's government 10 uphold"
REPLY AND ARGUMENT OF THE CABINET.
Mr.. LAyARD said that II would scarcely DO convenient
that he should into the discussion Of the question
Of the blockade Of the Southern ports which would
on more regularly when the resolution Of which notice
had been gwen moved he must decline 10 consent
10 this return for two the first place the
government had not got tho Information sought for aud
in tho second II they had IL would not be their office 10
furnish list Of wroDgdocrs and volsors Of the law to
the country The papers which were about TO be laid
upop the table would contain statement OF the number
OF vessels which had brokon tho blockade aud perhaps
of their tonnage and no hoped that that information
would satisfy the honorable member.
The SOLICITOR GENERAL saidI think u desirable that
few words should be said ~ total msapprohsn
sion Of matter Of law into which the honorable gen.
teman opposite has fallen. Ho implies, by tho terms
OF his notice OF motion, and distinctly stated in
his speech that all masters Of British merchant rcssels
who may have the blockade with articles
traband Of war board have been guilty
OF illegal acts, In violation OF her Majesty's pro.
clsmstion which the government Of this country having
their attention called 70 them ought 10 have nterfered
10 prevent but had not done He has also suggested
that authorities Of the port Of Nassau mu be sub
ject 10 serious blame for having permitted SHIPS under
similar circumstances 10 call nj that port and 10 take In
supplies and 10 have the benefit Of calling and
ne there when they had board articles contraband OF
war which the honorable gentleman seemed TO suppose
that her Messys proclamation had made II lle0a for