Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-07-28
Messrs. Gladstone and Bulwer on
the Alabama Case.

On the question of the Alabama clsima
Mr.. Gladstone and Sir Henry Bulwer
lately spoke in the British Parliament
Mr.. Gladstone concluded as follows
1--WE have no reason t. believe that the
Government of the United States re-
CARDS the question as having defnitively
dropped but on The other hand 1t has be-
come known to US that the Government
of the United States thinks it highly de-
sirable that some interval should elapse
with reference to the state of opinion and
feeling in that country before the nego.
tiations on the subject are resumed. /
am inclined to think that it is our duty
to concur in that sentiment of the Gov
eminent ofthe United States, and to fa-
vor the prevalence of the view in which
they have acted. | may also observe
that this ia not only the view of the Ex-
ecutive in that country, but 1t is fact
that this important and delicate subject
has not been made theme Of discussion
iu either of the branches of the Legisla-
ture of fhe United States. OF course, am
aware that speech Of great length was
delivered, expressing the views Of the
Chairman of rough Foreign Relations,
and that speech delivered in Congress
was afterward published by license of the
Senate. But general debate, an ex-
preston of divers opinions in the two
Houses, has not taken place. Having
regard to these circumstances, think
the House will sympathize in the feeling
that it is our duty, in our anxious desire
that nothing may occur that can impede
the resumption of negotiations, with ia
vorable prospects at the proper time, to
renew to my right honorable friend the
request which / have made to him on pre-
vious occasions, that he will refrain from
asking the House to enter upon a gene
raj discussion of this question, which is
still substantially pending question be-
tween the two Governments, during the
present session of Parliament. Cheers.
Sir FL. Bulwer--Sir, | am sure the
House will feel that must be most de-
sirous, on personal and public grounds,
to comply with any request made by my
right honorable friend, who is the respon-
sible adviser Of the Crown and the head
of Fer Msjesty's Government But ]
think | may say without presumption
that am not altogether unqualified to
form an opinion conscientiously, and /
have been somewhat strengthened in the
opinion which have formed by looking
back to those which have previously ex-
pressed, and finding that they have by
experience been found correct. Now,
sir, / say this because upward of two
years ago bad conversation which |
lhink | may repeat, as it relates to rnb'
lie matter, with my right honorable
friend, the member from Buckingham
shire, who is not now in his place, upon
these American affairs; and everything
| sad at that time eventually proved
correct. When my noble friend Lord
Clarendon accepted the office of Minis
ter for Foreign Affairs, took the liberty
of re questing an interview with him, and
from my experience of the affairs of the
United States, and of their Constitution,
| pressed upon him my opinion that no
negotiations which he was then carrying
on with Mr.. johnson in this country
could have any beneficial effect. Now,
sir, | say, with the same confidence with
which | expressed my opinion to my
noble friend at that time, that | am con-
WINGED that if you leave the question as
it now stands between US and the United
States of America, you will have cause
to repent of it. Hear, hear am for
leaving well alone, but ! an uot for leav-
ing ill alone"