The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-04-07
ENGLAND AND AMERICA.
The English Government and the Civil
War.

The English Government and the Civil
In the House of Lords, on March 81, the fol-
lowing remarks were made concerning the att-
tude OF the Government during the strife in the
United States:-
Lord Houghton said that notwithstanding the
great events which had occurred since the Anne
rican war; there was hardly any decision of the
British Government which had more historical
importance than the,determination in the crisis
of the American Rebellion, not to recognize the
Southern Confederacy. He had no doubt that
that decision was come to on grounds of large
policy policy broad enough to overcome all
personal opinions and prejudices; but 1t was
probable, indeed almost certain, that it was not
arrived at without weighing the position of the
question in the minds of other European Gov
ernments. He believed twas admitted that one
great European power was decidedly in favor of
came to a, decision counter to
the opinion and desire of that power. Now
rumor had lately been spread in that great
country on the other side OF the Atlantic, with
which we were at present engaged in such in
terestng negotiations, to the effect that he
British Government was fully inclined to
recognize the South, and was diverted from that
purpose by the influence and expressly ayowed
perhaps somewhat ostentatiously,t to be the chief
friend of America in Europe. That rumor has
been widely spread in the United States, and the
name of distinguished dlplomatist, the Rus
up with the story, he having, it was alleged,
stated that the rumor was correct. He had
given his noble friend Carl Granville) sufli-
dent notice of his question to enable him to
refer to contemporary documents at the Foreign
Office so as fully to inform himself whether
there was any intervention by the Russian Gov
ernment to influence the decision of the British
Cabinet. He had brought the matter forward
because If such an opinion extended itself it
might seriously injure the pending negotiations
with the United States. It was important that
that country should understand the real motive
of our conduct during its great struggle and
that it should do justice to the course taken by
the British Cabinet of that time with regard to
its interests. He would ask his noble friend
whether the rumor that the Russian Minister
had made such statement was correct, and If
not, whether he could throw any light on the
subject.
Earl Granvile-The rumor to which my noble
friend has alluded has certainly reached me, but
l trust like many other rumors, 1t is unfounded,
for any such statement would be founded on a
complete misapprehension of the facts. AS to
the facts, can speak with authority, for had
the honor of being member of Lord Palmers-
tons Cabinet, and l have communicated not
only with Mr.. Gladstone and Mr.. Cardwell, who
were also members of it, but with Lord Russell,
and am speaking IN the presence of the Lord
Privy Seal Discount Halifax, and the noble
Duke behind me (Somerset), who are also cogni-
Zant of the facts. There is no record in the
Foreign Office of any influence having been used
in this matter by the Russian Government, and,
moreover it was not required as no proposal
was ever entertained by Lord Palmerston's Cabi-
net for the recognition of the Confederate
States.
The Duke of Somerset-As member of Lord
Palmerston's Cabinet, can perfectly confirm
the statement of my noble friend. Being at the
tims at the Admiralty, and therefore at the head
of the navy, any such proposal as this would
have attracted my serious attention at the time,
and / could not possibly have forgotten 1t.
am certain that no such proposal was ever
made.