The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-03-05
NO. go.
ENGLAND.
The AMERICAN QUESTION IN PARLIAMENT

In the House Of Lords on Feb. II. tho
Earl Of Derby, in asking Lord Russell
to produce the correspondence between
Her Maiesty's Government and the
United States, in reference TO the Ala
bama and other vessels built in this
country, from which the United States
apprehended injury, said the noble
Lord had refused TO lay on the table
the correspondence with regard to the
rams built in the Mersey, on the ground
that they were now under judicial CON
sideratiOn. He understood that the
rams were detained by an order of Gov
eminent in September. and that they
were seized in October. From that time
until Saturday last, no steps were taken
to obtain judicial decision as the Ie-
galty of the seizure. On Friday last
an information was issued which might
have been filed in October or Noven-
Der, and in that way the question might
have been brought to am early issue.
Since that information was filed he was
informed that MesSrs. Laird had re-
ceiyed an intimation that il was now
necessary 10 send out a commission,
four months after seizure. for the pur-
pose of collecting evidence. He thought
the production Of the correspondence
between this country and the United
States, on the subject of these seiz-
ures, could have no sort Of bearing upon
the case about to be brought before the
courts, that ease being simply. whether
MessrS Laird had or had not. in con
structing these vessels, infringed the
municipal laws Of England. lie re-
minded Lord Russell that the papers lao
objected 70 produce had already been
made public in America and laid before
Congress. What be wanted 10 see nov
was the English as well as the AMER
can version. The noble Earl (Derby)
had copies extracted from the cores
pondenee laid before Congress, and
said the impression produced was that
the Government mad been compelled
By the menaces and pressure placed
upon them by the United States 10
make concessions, which they had re-
fused 10 make in the first instance, in
addition to the correspondence in re-
ference to the Alabama and the steam
rams He wished also 20 have a CODY
laid before Parliament of any CORES
pondence that may have taken place
in reference to acts Of violation com
mitted by American cruisers upon
English vessels. Abiding to the threat
of the American Government, in die
patch 10 Mr. Adams, 10 follow such yes
sels as the Alabama and the Florida in
British waters, and seize them even II
under the protection Of the British flag,
he said the dispatch, although not Of
ficially communicated TO Her Maiesty's
Government, had nevertheless been
laid before Congress, and il was expo
dent that we should come 10 a thorough
understanding with the American Gov
ernment on the subject
Earl Russell said the steam rams
built at Birkcnhead had been seized,
because there was reason 10 believe
they were intended for the service Of
The Confederate States When in
quiries were first instituted by Govern
ment, it was alleged the vessels were
being built on French account but
upon communicating with the French
Ambassdor at the Foreign Ofica IN
France, he found there was not the
slightest ground for that assertion, and
there appeared 10 be small reason t.
doubt that they We're intended for the
Confederate States. lie agreed with
Mr.. Adams, that If a considerable mum
Der of vessels were armed and equipped
in this country. and sent forth to at
tack power with which We were at
peace, would be an infringement of the
proclamation of neutrality issued hy
Her Majesty, and il would be virtually
taking part IN the war in favor Of the
Confederate States Her Majesty
Government were anxious that no act
Of theirs should give countenance 20
such proceedings. With respect 10 tho
papers moved for by Lord Derby, be was
informed by the law officers Of the
crown that their production would lead
to further inquiry and discussion, and
that Government would suffer from
having their case either partially stated
or altogether forestslled lie must,
therefore, still decline to produce the
papers in reference 20 cases which were
about 10 be- brought before q proper
legal tribunal With regard 10 tho
second question Of the noble Earl-if
he would give the names Of the cases
70 which he referred-there was no OBJ
lection 10 produce any spondenoe
that might have taken place upon
them.
The subject then dropped