, 1863-05-09

Debates on the Rights Of Neutral
Vessels. !:
THE CASES OF THE PETERH0FF
AND ALEXANDRIA,
Proclamation of the Polish Pro-
visi0nal Committee.

\ i
visional Committee.
By the steamers Tentonia, from Suuthamp-
ton on the 222u, and the Austsalasian, from
Liverpool on the 25th ulI., aud Queenstown
on the 2Gth, we have four days later news
from Europe.
FRANCE AND THE MONROE DOCTRINE.
The Times says: Confrmatory statements
have been received regarding the salutary
determination Of France to give permanent
death blow to the Monroe doctrine in Mexico,
aud to occupy that country until the prcra;1-
ing anarchy shall have been entirely quellel,
The London Tinss is still engaged in en-
ieayoring to make bad blood betEeen Emp
land and America,
IMPORTANT DEBATES N THE BRITISH PARLIA-
MENr on AMERICA.
81 the Norwegian we were advised of de-
bates in both Houses Of Parliament In regard
to the seizure of British vessels by Federal
cruisers. In the House Of Lords the MARQUIS
OF Clanricarde called attention to the seizure
OF British vessels in the West Indies BIZ Ameri.
OF the Dolphin, while On q legitimate voyage
from Liverpool to Nassau.
He urged u warm terms that these cases
could not be overlooked as isolated acts,
lhey showed predetermined policy on the
part Of the United States government
took place under the orders Of Admiral
Wilkes, an officer notorious for his hostility
towards England. He also wished to know
What course the government intended to take
with regard to the assumption Of Mr. Adams
to grant certificates to British vessels trading
pas fa if9 a Ee t. SS
ought not to have Withdrawn the mail.
Strong reinforccments ought to he sent to
the West India station, With orders to the ,Ad-
miral Of that station to protect British inter
este: It was In the interests Of Peace aud
OF British commerce, Which WAS already suf-
fering greatly from the arbitrary effect Of the
American cruisers, that he advocated such
course.
Earl Russell objected to the yery strong Ian
guage Of the Marquis Of CIanricarde, which
was based, not on official information but
upon flying rumors and ex parte reports. It
was the duty and proper course for the Gov
law officers Of the Crown Tor their advice and
opinion as to the character Of tue acts COIN
planned Of
They had consulted their legal advisers,
who state that on the 1'rima .fucie view Of the
case there was no ground to justify the seiz-
nre Of the Dolphin, but that there might be
facts which afforded reasons for sending her
before prize court. but on two points there
WIS no doubt that the American cruiser was
wrong, first, in abusing. the protection Of
neutral port, and secondly in landing the crew
on neutral territory.
4, He intended to bring the case By tue next
mail under the notice Of the United States
government, and he has no doubt, Judging
from rrcccdents, that it would readily make
rcpar,tion if a wrong had been done. With
respect TO the conduct Of Mr. Adams in grant
ing certificates to British ships, and his letter
on tEu subject, he characterized it as most IN
war1untable on thc part of the diplomatic
agent, aud he intended to bring 1t under the
notice of his government. He vindicatel the
general policy Of the government In regard to
lhe SEA Queen, anditnprcssed upon their lord
ships the necessity Of calmly considering mat
tiers likely to be attended with the most grave
consequences.
TIE Earl II C:crnaryon said that the obser-
vatious Of Earl Russell favored the idea that
American ships Of war had 4 right to seize
British vessels engaged in neutral aud legit-
ima,e t1afflc, and even open and act upon the
correspondence contained in her MaiestY's
hail
Earl Russell said that he never. intended
anything Of the kind to be supposed; indeed,
Mr.. Seward had expressly discIai1ned any such
lights i'll his instructions to the American
officers.
The Earl of Derby strongly complained of
The government. 1t vas their duty instead
Of Withdrawing the mails from the Sea Queen
to Eave insisted on their being conveyed in
proper protection from theagggresgfon Of Fed:
eral cruisers.
Earl Grey did not think that it was Just or
reasonable that British vessels trading to ncu-
trail ports, and in 60 doing at liberty TO carry
over cont1aband Of var, should be deprived
the government could not help the incon-
seniencics attached to vessels trading to st1s-
pectcd ports, but they ought to take caro- th1t
the rights allowed to bclligcrents we're mol
Tantonly or aggressiyeiy used.
Lord WodchOuse said that ships sailing to
a neutral port like Matano1as, If on bona
Gde voyage, ought not to be questioned by
the Federal cruisers; there might be some
questions MS to the destination Of the goods
conveyed by her after they were landed at the
neutral port, but that did not ut all effect the
Tesstl on her voyage. In the present temper
meRt could only preserve the peace By acting
firmly whilst they proceeded calmly, and bv
not altering one jut Of their own rights whilst
respecting the rights Of others.
Earl Granville urged that government had
acted prndentIy and consistently under very
delicate circumstances, and deprecated angry
discussion on imperfect information.
The subject then dropped.
In the House Of Commons on the same
evening the debate was commenced By Mr..
Roetuck, who said he wished to ask qucs-
tion of great importance to the West India
trade, and to cali attention to the conduct Of
Admiral Wilkes. When the war broke out,
he, in common with most Englishmen felt q
great shock, and regretted that men under
most favorable circumstances were still ami
mated by the worst human passions. At the
frat he was Inclined to sympathize with the
North, but their conduct, which was q dis
grace to civilization, had alienated the feel
ings Of all sensible and educated persons.
[Cheers, and cries Of "Oh, ohp'l He knew
there we're degenerate Englishmen who took
the part Of the Nor hern Suites against their
country, and when questions arose between
America and England, their voices were rais-
ed on the side Of America. Cheers, and
He knew perfectly well what those cries
meant, and was glad that what he Ind said
touched the honorable gentlemen opposite.
He repeated that the conduct Of the Northern
dis. United States had been such as VAS humIl-
iatirg to the people Of England He gave
credit to the noble lord at the head Of the
| government for his conduct In the Trent af.
| fair, King Cotton had been tried, but King
Cotton had failed. Tie Northern States were
then called to account, and they truckled to
made himself SO notorious was now seizing
| British ships bound to a neutral port, and 1t
was this conduct he called upon government
| to1esent.
The American Minister in this country was
| granting permits to English vessels; and
T be used againss Eng lands ally, France. Since
tlsn men calling themselves English mer-
| chants had applied to the American Minister
| fer similar permits, but were refused, because
they were not carrying arms fo- the Mexicans,
| although trading to the same port.
|; The noble Lord at the head Of the Govern
|. ment had hitherto shown himself alive to-the
J. EOnDf and f13tr11ffv cf Ert1nn6. and hc vou31