Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-05-12

sent Admiral Wilkes officer notorious for his natrec
to England, to a most delicate postY lie admired tne
gallant speech of Mr. Roebuck and 1t was worthy o.
an EnglshmRn. 49,
Mr Dernsl Osborne sarcastcaly commented on the
speecbes of the two Warlke lawyers Mr. Mains ana MI
Roehuck He strongly deprecated the discussion: IL
they went on reviewing American INSTITUTIONS anu iha
ming the American mind by speaking OIL matters on
which they we're not properly informed no government
wi atever could avoid war. He was not degenerate
E,esbmap nor a man of the liberal party but as an
man he thought he would best preserve the
dignity and the respect due to that posiion by dscan
ing The sentiments OF the two honorable members iOr
Sheffield and mplorng the House go on with the pro-
Nor business of tbe evening with confidence in the noble
lord at the head of the government as war nns -,
and not presst in discussions which must lead to MIS-
cbjeyous results Mr. Peacocks amendment was then
withdraw.
THE NAIL QUESTION.
In the House of Lords, on the oath, Lord Rdcsdale
referred 10 Mr. Stewards instructions 10 the naF@ oll-
GERS of the United States cruisers, directing that the
mails should not be opened when seized on board any
shin but should be either given up 10 the consul OF the
nation to which the vessel belonged sent to the United
States government but that any correspondence found
in them would be referred to prize court TO be used
in deciding the condemnation of a vessel This seemed
TO him to Indicate that the United States government
e!her claimed the right Of opening and using the mails
or expected that the English consul should do So and
hand over TO them any correspondence which they
pected He wished to know il it was with these in
sruetious the noble earl had expressed himself satisfied
Earl Russell, who was all but inaudioe, was under
stood to say that this order had been modified but that
the practice in great drgree sanctioned by the de-
csivn of Lord Stowell.
Tue Earl of Derby said that nothing could be more
monsrous than this claim the part of the American
govcrument what was still more astonishing was that
her M&estyS government should in any way acquosce
in it.
The MARQUIS of Ciaricarde hoped the Government
would take the matter into their serious consideration
Lord Chelmsford asked if there was any truth in the
report that four British vessels had been seized
stated in the evening papers
Earl Russell said that Government had received IN
formation that vessels had been seized in the act of
breaking the blockade. He wished explain that in
answer to Lord Lyons Mr.. Seward had written letter
to Mr. Weles modifying the instructions issued by the
latter to the officers OF the Federal navy and it TO
this letter he referred He would however, consult the
law officers Of the crown.
The Earl OF Hsrdwieke said that the vacilatOn shown
nv the government would matter OF course, be at
trbuted TO fear He hoped that the Secretary Of State
would rise in hi1 place and that the pIeensions Of
the Federal Government were upjusti6able
Lord Taunton could not agree IN any censure the
government whSh, long it pursued the same dig
nifvd and prudent course would, whatever the re-
suit, be supported by all classes.
In reply to Earl Malmesbury Earl Russell said that he
would endeavor to lay the table the opinion of tie
law officers oil the crown on MONDAY.
In the House of Commons on the 24th Lord A.
Churchill asked whether merchant ships in the prescott
ton of voyage between neutral ports would be legally
justified in defending themselves by the OF arms
from capture By the cruisers of the Federal States.
The Soicitor.Geuersl said that merchant ships under
the circumstances mentioned would certan not be JUS
tilted ia defending themselves from capture by the use
of arms II any such attempt were made on the part
of merchant ships IL would expose them not only to
capture, but TO just condemnation.
SEIZURE OF THE ALEXANDRA.
Mr. Horsfa called attention TO the seizure of the Al
exandra at Liverpool and said that he wished point
out the case Of individual hardship TO the of the
vessel which being built by Mr.. Miar highly res-
pectsble ship builder Of fifty years stending lie read
letter from Mcssrs. Fawcett Co, which stated that
the vessel was being constructed for them specua
ton. and was being fitted with engines which would
give her speed Of nine or ten knots as q passenger
vessel mail boat, yatch. lie had personally inspec-
ted the vessel and could confirm this statement
The owners denied thathe vessel being fitted for
the Conledorates and he the public would take
the word of such firm against the unknown informan
Of the government oeompained Of the anomalies that
while field ba'teree might be supplied TO the known
agents of the federal government the fitting out of an
unarmed vessel prohibited, lest resale she might
become the property Of the Conederates III read let
ers from Mr.. Peabody, confirming the order Of Col.
Fremont given TO the same firm Of Mcssrs Faweett,
Preston g. Co.. for a field battery. lie further COM
planned of the free shipment Of wake material and Of
Irish recruits to the lederas and protested against the
system Of espionage established by the federals He
strongly urged fair and impartial administration Of the
law.
The Attorney General said the government thought
itself fully justified in selling the Alexandra on tie in
formation they had received and the proceedings would
20 on in the regular course He thought it would be
difficult to prove that the Ish emgrants recruits
and pronounced the charges Of Hr. Horsfall most
unfair.
The merits of the case of the seizure of them we're
q morally debated by merous speaker.
M Golden urged the importance of the enforcing of
the foreign enlistment act and pointed out that the
Americans had always acted its principles when Eng
land VAS at war. He warmly impressed upon government
and on the public at large tic obligation well the
inheritance of acting toward the American government
as il had always acted toward us in spirit not only of
gratitude for their conduct, but Of good faith and honor
able neutrality He urged that the Alabama which was
wholly equipped and manned from England, and which
it was admitted had escaped in violation of the law,
ought 10 be seized the ouy method Of putting end
to these clandestine practices
The Solcior-Genera reiterated his defence of tho gov
erpment in the matter of the Alabama.
Sir Fitzroy Kelly complained that the government
had acted harshy in the of the Alexandria. He
asked il government was taken measures to protect
the postal services with the ports of the Gulf Of Mexico
Lord Palmerston said that Englands commercial in.
teress with Mexico had the best security in the belief
that the United States government would not seize them
without due cause and there TO believe that
the American prize courts would act justly With
gard to bags of letters merchant vessel captured
on suspicion of being concerned in Illegal voyage, by
tho order which Earl Russe had read in another place
the American government had prescribed what to
be done with them. They not to be opened, but
TO be delivered to the consul of the country to which
the vessel belonged and be bound in honor to open
them and give up the prize any respondence
contrary to good faith OF hostile character, but all
other letters would be sent to their destination The
subject was then dropped.
.1JDGE CONSTABLE-HIS SPEECH AT MARSHALL,
ILLINOIS