Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1863-08-12
Debate In the British Parliament about
building Ships tor the Rebels.

AVA h1% AASD1AS"
The following sketches OF debate in
the British Parliament as reported IN the
news By the ArQJia, shows that we have
at least one friend in England who dares
to speak out against the manner in which
English neutrality il taken advantage of
for the benefit Of the rebels:
In the House OF Commons, on the 23d.
subject IF the foreign enlistment act was
introduced BY Mr.. Golden, who referred
to tie proceedings OF the alabama, Flori-
ia lnds I5TgiHJQ, all built IN British ports
far the Confederate service. He said it
was well known that two ir0n-clad ships
were now being built in Liverpool tor the
same purpose, and he believed that. If
they were allowed IL leave England, tine
TesRlt would be a declaration of war on
the part Of the American Government.
American shipping had almost become
saleless il cor sequence of the seizures
made by Confederate CRUISERS, aud he i'm
plored The Government 10 take steps to
prevent the departure OF these Veseis.-
He was Informed that the American Gov
eminent took note Of the value OF every
vessel captured, and debited it 10 Her
Majesty's Government. lie was further
informed that ,he American Minister had
made formal claim upon England to in
demnity American ship-oWlers Tor their
Losses. No doubt the claim was repudiated
by tier Majesty's GOvernm- mt But OF dis
puted claims Ut this nature an expensive
and disastrous war might result.
Mr.. Laird, referring more particularly
e. tie case a sthe alabama, said every
THU had been done In broad daylight
3,
which, VI Ile it would enable nis friends
il the North 70 get all they wanted,
would put . stop il England 10 a legiu
mate branch of industry. de accused the
Americans OF having bn;lt ships OF war
tor Russia during the CrlmeaH war, ana
with raising troops IN Ireland oiAce the
outbreak OF the present coDfics.
Lord Palmerston defended the course
which the Government had taken, and
said he could see no distinction IN priDCi-
pie between selling arms 10 the Federa-s
and selling ships to she Contederates.-
lie appealed to the principle laid down on
the subject by the Americans q .mselves.
II was OF course true that Egg ad had q
municipal Law bearing on the question,
but the Government had carrI, \ ont that
law to the best of its ability, az that law,
which he saw no reason 10 alter to suit
tbs emergencies Of g foreign power, they
would continue 10 enforce as lar as posi-
bic for them TO do.
Mr.. Golden was prevented on q pOiu,
OF order from reading a letter from Gideon
Nelles in Parliament. The letter was
nevertheless published in the papers Ii
is dated the I9th OF April last, aud Is adj
dressed 60 Charles Sumner, aud refers to
Mr. Laird's statement in ParhamenG that
his firm had been approached, in 1861, by
the agents of the Federal Government.
relative 10 building war vessels tor the
North. Mr. " eIles asserts that neither
directly nor indirectly was any application
made y hls authority TO Mr.. Laird or any
other foreign ship builders tor the con-
structlon % vessels for tie American Gov
eminent. Advances were made to him,
however, on behalf OF numerous English
and foreign ship -bGildeTs, out he declined
in every instance any proposition To build,
or procure 70 DE built, vessels tor the Fed,
ersl navy abroad.