Year: 1862

In the House of Commons, on the 18th
ult., Mr.. Lindsay moved the following res
oluti0n:


That in the opinion of this House the States
which have seeded from the Union of the Re.
public of the United States have so long main.
tanned themselves under a separate and estab.
lished government, and have given such proof
of their determination and ability to support
their independence, that the propriety OF Of
fering mediation, with view of terminating
hostilities between the contending parties, is
worthy of the serious an d immediate attention
of her Majesty's government.


The resolution was supported by the
mover, and by Lord A. Vane Tempest, Mr..
Whiteside, Mr.. Gregory, and Mr.. S. Fitz-
gerald was opposed by Mr.. Taylor, Mr..
w. E. Foster, and Lord Palmerston and
was subsequently withdrawn, The remarks
of the Premier were as follows:


al hope the House will come to deci-
sion tonight. The question is one OF such
Importance and delicacy that cannot think
a postponement will be at all beneficial, and
l confess that regret very much that my
honorable friend has thought it to be his
duty to bring it under the notice of the
House in the present state of things. There
can be but one wish on the part OF any man
in this country with respect to this war, and
that is that it should end, but l very much
doubt whether the only end which can be
satisfactorily looked for, namely, an amica'
BILE separation, is likely to be accelerated by
angry discussions in the House, where the
war has been enacted by the champions of
either side. 1t is true that many things
have been said gratifying to the feelings of
both parties, and on the other hand in the
warmth of debate, likely to be offensive,
and it is more of human mature to think
OF that which is offensive rather than that
which is gratifying. Hear.


regret that this debate has been brought
on, and earnestly hope the House will
leave the future in the hands of the govern
ment, content, as believe the country is,
with the past. do not ask this as a mat
ter OF confidence in the government of the
day, because l think that whatever party
be in Office question of such delicacy and
immense Importance should be left in the
hands of the Executive to deal with. For it
is not one which the House by a resolution
pointing out specific cause can take upon
itself. 1t is responsibility which properly
belongs to the government. The motion
points to two things-the mediation and
acknowledgment. The right honorable gen,
tleman has ably laid it down, and I do not
dispute that we should be perfectly justified
if we saw fit to acknowledge the independ-
ence of the southern States, provided only
that that independence had been, in the
words which be used, firmly and permanents
ly established.


quite concur that the fact of our &C.
knowledging that independence would give
to the Northern States no cause of offence
towards this country; but the casel of the
South American Republics was very differ
ent to this. These were not acknowledged
until the lapse of fifteen years, although they
had practically achieved their independence,
and it was quite clear Spain could not re-
establish her dominion over them; but is
this the case now? Only fortnight ago
it was doubtful whether the Federals or the
Oonfederates had possession of Richmond.
1t was but few days ago that the whole
course Of the Mississippi was believed to be
in the hands of the Federals. / know that
New Orleans was, and that Charleston
possibly might be captured; and I contend
that whatever opinion we may have of the
recent battles, and of the determination of
the South to fight to the last for its indie.
pendence, that practically the contest has
not yet ASSUMED a character to justify this
country in assuming that the independence
of the South is fully established. Some
imagine that the acknowledgement of the
South WOuld establish q different nosition
between it and this country. 1t would do
no such thing, unless followed up by active
interference, although neutrality is perfectly
compatible with acknowledgment.


The right honorable gentleman opposite
said that the concession of belligerent rights
was a step towards acknowledgment. I
cannot admit that. No one can be insen-
sibe for moment to the vast Importance
to this country of speedy termination of
the war. We all know the privations and
sufferings which large portion of the peo-
pie are now undergoing in consequence OF
this unfortunate war; but on the other
hand, it has been well said by the honorable
member for Bradford that any attempt to
put an end to the war by active and violent
interference would only produce greater pri-
walton. There is no instance in history of
contest of such magnitude as that now going
on between two nations of the same people.
There is said to be nearly million men in
arms on one side and the other, and their