The New York herald., 1863-07-27
A Pretty Plan Spoiled.

now ehlereu upon an enurely new phase.
Pretty Plan Spoiled.
The recent debates upon the American ques-
tion in the British Parliament have revealed
the existence of a nice little plot to obtain the
recognition Of the Southern confederacy by tho
leading Powers of Europe But the old saying,
that man proposes and God disposes. lost none
of its wisdom or force in this transaction;
for the victory at Gettysburg, and the conse-
quent failure of General Lees raid into Penn
sylvania, demolished the whole scheme of the
plotters, great and small.
Two honorable members Of the English
House of Commons, great only in their char
acteristic proclivities for meddling and mis-
chief Messrs. Roebuck and Lindsay-under-
took to negotiate with the Emperor of the
French relative to certain proposals to be
made to the British government for the recog-
milton of the government of jeff Davis. Their
communications were entirely Of private
and unofficial character although 1t is clear
that they were known, at least, If not encour-
aged, by Lord Palmerston and Earl Russell.
However, the subject OF their mission became
the theme Of discussion in Parliament, very
much to the modification of her Majesty's Min
listers, one Of whom-the Under Secretary for
State-taunted the honorable gentlemen with
being "amateur diplomatists," and insinuated,
moreover, that they were oficious meddlers.
Lord Palmerston very emphatically rebuked
them, pronounced the whole Of their proceedings
"utterly Irregular" and expressed hope that
no such discussion would occur again. The
fact is that Messrs. Roebuck and Lindsay told
too many secrets, while at the same time they
implied that there was q great deal more bo-
hind which they dared not reveal.
The world, however, has obtained some light
by this curious discussion. 1t has learned that
q deadly hostility to the American government
exists among many of the statesmen and
pseudo statesmen Of Europe; that underground
plots and conspiracies are, and have been, at
work against the integrity Of this country;
and, however insignificant Mr.. Roebuck or Mr..
Lindsay may be, they stand in this case as the
representatives Of sentiment hostile to our
existence as nation, which does not hesitate
to employ clandestine means to give aid to our
enemies and dismember the Union. While
they have made themselves ridiculous by play
ing with edged tools, like the Emperor of the
French and Lord Paimerston, they have at the
same time exploded plot, which, no doubt,
with all their affectation Of Indifference, both
of these eminent personages would quite as
we'll prefer had been kept out of public view.
Calculating upon the success Of General Lee
in Pennsylvania and Maryland, and the occu-
patton Of Washington by JEFF. Davis, the time
was considered ripe for the recognition Of the
Southern confederacy by France and England.
Spain, it appears, was also to be drawn into
the scheme, by the guarantee of security for
her possessions in Cuba, thus showing how
little the amateur diplomatists Of Sheffield and
Sunderland know Of the tone and temper Of
the Spanish nation. The idea Of winning over
the proud spirit Of the old Spanish chivalry by
the offensive proposition Of protection for the
colonies of Spain, over which they believe the
dominion Of the mother country Is perpetual,
was absurd. But, as we said, the plan was
spoiled when the news OF Lees failure arrived,
and the cunning old fox, Palmerston, saw that
the time for talking about the recognition Of
tne ooutn was inopportuuei 80 Mr. noepucA
motion was Withdrawn.
The London Times affects to regard the de-
feat at Gettysburg as bat q trifing matter.
The situation at vicksburg and Port Hudson,
it says. is now the all important question. 1t
has learned by this time that the question is
settled by the occupation of the whole Mis-
sissippi valley, over whose every fort and crag
the Starry Banner Of the American republic
now floats, from the Falls of st. Anthony to
the Gulf Of Mexico. What confusion this news
must have brought to the tricky, INSCRIPTIONS
and treacherous politicians of England. We
opne that the anti-American orators sang very
humble notes in the British Parliament the
night the intelligence was received there.