Parliamentary Debates Volume 173; Official Report - ... Session of the ... Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1864 Excerpt: ... tleman, for he would no doubt call it special pleading. Any hon. Member who would take the trouble to consult the more trustworthy representations whioh were made in another place, and which were not vouchsafed to the House of Commons, would probably arrive at the conclusion he had just expressed. Mr. Seward's Ianguage was as follows: --"Can it bo an occasion for either surprise or complaint, that if this condition of things is to remain, and receive the deliberate sanction of the British Government, the navy of the United States will receive instructions to pursue these enemies into the ports which thus, in violation of the law of nations and the obligations of neutrality, become harbours for the pirates' The President very distinctly perceives the risks and hazards which a naval conflict thus maintained will bring to the commerce and even to the peace of the two countries. But he is obliged to consider that in the case supposed the destruction of our commerce will probably amount to a naval war waged by a portion, at least, of the British nation against the Government and people of the United States--a war tolerated, although not declared or avowed, by the British Government. If, through the necessary employment of all our means of national defence, such a partial war shall become a general one between the two nations, the President thinks that the responsibility for that painful result will not tall upon the United States." That was a distinct threat of war. The language in the despatch read by his hon. Friend the Member for Horsham, was also a distinct threat of war. In arguing the case of the Alexandra, the Attorney General intimated to the Court, in language not to be misunderstood, that the result of a decision adverse to himself might poss...