Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-04-21
Parliamentary ProeeedInRs-theR Re-
movaI OF the British Consuls In the

moV1l OF the British ConBulS In the
bOuth. dI
In the House Of Lords. April 5, Lord
olauricarde, in moving for correspondence
relating to the removal of British Oonsuls
from the Confederate States Of Americs,
described and defended the proceedings for
which these officers had been dismissed by
the Foreign Secretary. The Consuls were
accredited to the Federal Governments, aud
the charge against them, 10 ono case, was
forwarding under 40 official certificate.
letters to the Northern States, containing
bills of exchange for the payment Of debts
due 10 England; In another, that the Con
sui had been instrumental in shipping
specie on board an English vessel of.Rar,
tor transmission TO Englaud, TO pay the.
dividends on . public debt. He c0ntended
that these acts were not illegal, as the
state Of war did not cancel private or pub.
lie obligations.
Earl Russell said-It is rather difficult
TO make ont the exact object which my no.
bic friend has in view; but will detain
your LOrdshiPs a short time by few re.
marks on the various circumstances TO
which be has alluded. In the frst place,
he sNid it was not right to say that the
Confederate Government had sent away
our COnsnlS, nor that many British sub.
jeots had been compelled 10 serve in tbs
Confederate armies. i Gao only speak of
the facts reported to me, and as thought
quite notorious. There have been com.
plants over aud over again from different
parts of the Confederate States that British
subjects were obliged to serve in their
militia aud armies. We have had to con.
sult the law officers, who have said that it
was not fair to make Btitiph subjects, not
being American citizens, serve in the ar.
mics of either belligerene, without giving
them time TO leave the country il they
thought fit. have acted on that opinion,
and it seems to me not only law, but fair
and equitable. My noble friend may think
they ought to be compelled; believe they
ought not to be. Then my noble friehd
enters into the question of the withdrawal
OF Mr.. Bunch's exequatHr, which was ia
ken away, think, very unfairly by the
United States Government, on the ground
that he had communicated with the enemy.
Then he enters into the Gass Of Mr.. Magee.
who sent specie in q British snip of war.
and be blames Lord Lyons for what he
did 10 the matter, believe Lord Lyons
has taken the utmost pains, Ia his most
responsible pOsitioHT to behave fairly aud
impartial y between both parties. Per-
mission was obtained from the American
Government that British ships of war
should be allowed from time to time TO 90
to blockaded ports; but Lord Lyons thought
1t an abuse ofthe privilege that specie
should be sent to Confederate port in a
British man of war, iuasmuch as Zach sps-
Gle might afford means'pf earring on war
against q State friendly to Great Britain.
he accordingly stated that opinion, aud if
he had not done 30 tho American govern.
ment might have withdrawn the priv.
lege, aad think there is nothing in the
law of nations that would have deprived
them of the power to do go. Hear II
thought that Lord Lyons was right; land 1
sent ont an order thai the Consul who had
sent the specie should not be continued 10
his functions. LHear.1 But my uoblo
friend gave rather detailed account of the
conduct Of Mr.. Oridland. Now, while that
gentleman vas acting as Consul al Rich
mOnd, believe he enjoyed the confidence
aud respect of every one for the manner in
which he performed his duties. He was
desired to go to Mobile not as Consul, but
70 act as Consul-to defend and protect
British property and interests. il was
rcertainly,a very uDjusliiabIe act on the
part OF our Consuls, or Of any one acting
ior British Consul, to tell British subs
Jects that they were not to resist their en-.
ltatment in the Confederate army, but to
desert their colors in the moment OF action.
think that very improper advice on the
part of Consul; and do not think there
Was aGy Instruction given to our Con.
sulAr agents which could Justify any of
them in giving that advice. do not ind
either IN the opinion Of the law officers of
the Grown, or in any directions that gave
myse1 anything that woald justify that
course; aud il the Secretary of the Oonfed-
craze states had written to this country 10
complain OF that conduct, should have
thought It right 70 reprimRnd aud evan IN 4
dismiss the Consul who had acted in an (
improper manner. Instead of that the
President of the so-called Confederate Gov
iernment sent away our Gonsuls, though.
these are the persons to whom British sub.
Jeets awonld naturally have recourse. In
order 70 obtain redress for grieyancss.-
Stne only remedy they would have when
the Oonsqls were removed was that .su9,
gested BY Mr Be1iamin-uamely, that sol.
dieSs IN the held might apply to the tFibn.
nAls OF the country. Aman might rasiIv
write 70 his Consul TO claim redress. bIt
that = man marching about should 20 to a
court OF l3E-thatwss thing which could
not be done. therefore thought that was
very harsh and unfriendly proceeding on
the part of the Confederate GoVernment.-
AT the same time, Il ought TO be remem.
bered, likewise, that Tie Coafedsrate Cor
sERnle9t had good Ttasoa to complain of our
CoHsEl; and our Consul saying that he had
been SO instructed, the Confederate Goy.yl
ernment might At FIRST have believed him.
Ibid not enter Into any com
plant OF angry remembrance; bnt / asked |
Mr.. Mason whether, If Consular agents, or
persons under any other name, were sent |
TO the Confederate States, intercourse might
y 5e carried on aud negotiations opened.
9y which We might be able TO obtain re-.
lsess where redress ought 70 be given, or
have reasons stated for its refusal. HvrnbIs /
friend does not complain Of that. There
hes no doubt been delay in carrying that