Year: 1866

mf,ted by both, as they have been admitted by the
Powers who made acceded the Declaration OF Paris
hcncelorth TO form part Of the general of nations


Her MJestys government would be glad TO be made
acquainted with the views of the imperial government
&c, ]. RUSSELL


LORD }. RUSSELL TO LORD LYONS.


FOREIGN OYncE, May Q, 1861.


NY LoRD-Her Asesty's government are disappointed
In not having received from you by the mail which has
just arrived any report Of the of affairs and of the
prospects Of the several parties with reference 70 the
commenced between them but the interruption Of com
muncation between Wash ngton and New York sulli-
GENTLY explains the non arrival OF your dispatches


The account, however which her Majestys consus at
different ports were enabled to forward by the packet
coincide in showing that, whatever may be the final re-
suit OF what be designated otherwise than as
the civil which has broken out between the several
States OF the late Unon the present at least those
States have separated into distinct conederaces anI
such, are carrying on war against each other


The question for neutral nations TO consider is what is
the character OF the war and whether It should be re-
garded carried between partiss severaly in
position to wage war; and to claim the rights and TO per
form the obligations attaching TO be.ligerents.


her Maesty's government consider that the question
can only be answered in the Affirmative If the govern
OF the Northern portion of the late Union possess
the advantages inherent in long established govern
ments the government of the Southern portion has,
nevertheless duly constituted ITSELF and in
regular form the administration of the civil government
of the States OF which 1t is composed


Her Majesty's government therefore, without assum-
ing TO pronounce upon the merits OF the question on
which the respective parties are at issue can do no less
than accept the facts presented TO them They deeply
deplore the disruption Of confedeacy with which they
have at all times sought to cultivate the most friendly
reatons they view with the greatest apprehension ana
concern the misery and dcsolaton in which that dis.
rpton threatens to involve the provinces aTayed
IN arms against each other but they feel tta they can
not question the right OF the Southern States to claim to
be recognized begeren and as SUCH invested with
all the rights and prerogatives Of a beligerent


think it right TO give your Lordshp this timely no
tce OF the view taken by her Majesys government Of
the present state of affairs in North America and her
Majesty government do not wish you To make any mys
terry Of that view.


shall SEND your Lordshp, by early opportunity,
such further Information on these matters as may be re-
qured for your guidance Al present have only to add
that expression of regret that employ at the
present disastrous state Of affairs will too strongly declare
template all the evils which cannot iail to result from It,


am, &C., j. RUSSELL
EXTRACT OF LORD JOHN RUssEL's SPEECH IN THE


HOUSE OF COMMONS, NAY 30, 1861.


Ny honorable friend, the member for the West Riding
Of Yorkshire, alluded the other night to subject
tone which very sorry TO hear used by any one.
My honorable friend SAID that he great republican bub
confess-I may be subject to correcton-but for my
part when find that dark and tyranncal despotism
has been abolished and that people are likely to enjoy
free government in its place. rejoice. 1t is my duty
represent her Majesty friendly to all existing states;
but if despotic government fall, and the people who
have been subjected likely to obtain better and
freer government cannot conceal that gives satis
faction, and that Isympathize with them But own
have very different feelings when great republic which
has enjoyed for seventy eighty years institutions
under which the people have been free and happy,
enters into conflict IN which That freedom
and happiness is placed In jeopardy, I must
say the joy VIII ch l felt ut the over
throw Of some Of the despotsms Of Italy is
by the pain which experience at the
events which have lately taken place in America ad
NIT that have thought and that still think, that in
this country enjoy real freedom than the United
States have DONE admit also, that the great
founders Of that republic, wise and able as they
were had not the materials at hand by which they could
nterpose able to do in this country, the curb
and correction Of in order TO restrain the passion
ate ouburss OF the popular will Yet we cannot be
blind to the fact that the republic has been for many
years great and free State exhibiting to the world the
example of people in the enjoyment OF wealth. happi
ness and f9aom and aording bright prospects Of the
progress sna psfysrsment Of mankind. When reflect
that the rcproaceS which are cast by the states OF the
North upon the States q the sss:nth: and the re-
sistance which they have called fo:th pave arisen
from that accursed institution Of slavery cannot pn!
Jecolect also that With great end glorious nsu-


lions we gave them that curse and that ours werc the
hands from which they received tbat fatal gi(t q the
poisoned garment which w&s flung around theh fr6hi
the first hour Of their establishment Therefore do not
think just seemy that there should be among us
any thing like exultaton at their decord and still less
that we should reproach them with an evil for the
origin Of which are ourselves to blame. These are
the feelings with which heard the remarks OF my hon
orable friend tho other ght and must say that be-
lcve the sentiments which he expressed form excep
tion to the general impression in England. Indeed l
think nothing could be moro honorable 10 country
than the prevailing pam and grief which have been
casioned the prospect Of That great and free people
being about rush into destroy each other s
happiness and freedom.