Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-05-18
AMERICAN AFFAIRS IN PARLIAMENT.


cussed in both Branches Of the British Parliament. On
one point the case of the Tuscaloosa, vote was taken
and the Government trumpAed by majority of "a in
400.
Ga the 2stb, in the House OF Commons, Sir George
Grew in the absence OF Lord Palnerscn, said in reply
to an inquiry by Mr.. Hopwoo5, that the Govsrnmer
had no intention whatever of proposing conference
ON American affairs as in that conference the British
Government was quite certain the American Govern
ment would not coacu'.
The following is brief summary Of the debate which
ensued
Mr. Peacock called attention to the case of the Tus
caoo6a and crit oised the action of the Government in
her case. BE charged the Government with adopting
the views of the Federal agents. and moved resolution
that the instructions contained In the Duke OF New
castles despatch OF the 4th of November 1868, to the
Governor Of the Cap, of Good Hope, which remains
still unrevoked, are at variance Win the prnclpes VI
international law.
general debate ensued.
The Sol citor General densd that the Tuscaloosa had
right 10 be treated COMM stoned vessel, and IN
sisted that the Government was bouod to regard her at
an unconc emned prize. If they did not take this
course the Coufederaes would be able to take all their
prizes into British ports in defiance of the Queens
proclamation. He admitted that the instructions to the
Governor were not explicit as desirable and 1t was
intended to send out fuller instructions soon on all CUES
tons of international law-insruc ions which would be
thoroughly considered.
tSNN-
in delencs of the Government He insisted that the in
s,ructions to the Governor Of the Cape Was strictly 10
accordance with international law, although their i'm
mediate OH ct was to maintain the dignity and ne u
tray of the country. 10 the case OF the Tuscaloosa
as abe had unwi.ngy entered the port and been seized
through msconception OF the Instructions the only
proper ald fair course was to rel ase her.
Speeches were made on the opposite side by Nj
Whitesde Mr. Z lohiI stone, Sir Il. Cairns and othe g.
who charged the Government with favoring the Fede-
rails at the tx oense of the Oonfederates.
During the debate the House was very thin, and q
motion was made 10 count out, but considerable
number of members in and made up the requisite
quorum.
Finally. the House divided with the following resul.
For the resolution, 1876; against it, 2l9.
The Lordon Herald charges that the Government
was saved only by having planned "oount out" du-
rirg the absence OF many opposition members
In the House of )rds on the 20 n, Earl Derby call
ed attention 10 the grea. length Of the published
respondence between the Government and hesss Laird
relative TO the seizure OF the rams built by the latter
Hs insuuaed that the Government was TO some extent
acuated by the fact that Mr. iird was political oppo-
uent He said that he could not understand the seizure
of the rams with view TO the trial OF the question oil
their destination, but 10 throw upon the owners the
onu, Of proving their innocence was, he centended,
monstrous aud illegal.
Earl Russell warmly defended the course taken by the
Government and submitted that it was owing to the
vigilance OF the Government that the LairdJ had not
succ eded in punging Eogand in With the United
ates Earl Russell cloed his speech by expressing an
earnest hope that the would result 10 the final de-
struction Of slavery.
. Lord Chelmsford contended that the course of the
Government Eas illegal
The Duke of Argyle vindcated the Government.
TIE subjec! was then dropped.
TIE hostility of the existing Government of gland
10 thu sOuh appears to become more and more openy
expressed every day.