Arrival of the steamer America.
further from Europe.
return of Hon. George M. Dallas--Debate in the English House of Lords on the blockade.
The steamer America with dates to the 19th arrived at Halifax on the 30th of May, from Liverpool. The America has over $1,000,000 in specie.
Hon. Geo. Mr. Dallas, late U. S. Minister to England, is a passenger.
The steamer City of Washington had arrived out.
The Hibernian had put back to Liverpool, with damaged machinery. The North Briton took her place, sailing on the 18th.
The Galway contract has been annulled, but the boat will continue to run.
Mr. Adams, the new Ambassador, had been presented at Court.
In the House of Lords the Earl of Elleuborough asked the Government whether the term ‘ "lawful blockade,"’ in the proclamation, was to be interpreted literally or with qualifications, as according to the strict meaning of the Paris agreement, it was impossible to maintain an effective blockade. He complained of the vagueness of the proclamation in respect to articles contraband of war.
Earl Granville replied that a lawful blockade must be maintained by a sufficient force, but it was not absolutely necessary to render all ingress or egress impossible, but to render it extremely difficult. With respect to other questions, he stated that certain articles were clearly contraband of war, but that certain other articles depended upon special circumstances and contingencies, which could only be decided by a prize court, and which it was impossible to define beforehand.
The Earl of Derby said that there were two points on which it was desirable that the Government should come to an understanding with the United States. They proclaim a blockade of the whole Southern coast, which they had not the force to maintain. Although they could lawfully blockade certain ports, it was not desirable that they should proclaim a universal blockade, but only maintain a partial one.
The Northern States also declare that they should treat privateers as pirates, but they could not do so by the law of nations; and it was desirable that, notwithstanding the proclamation, if it should be declared such, the penalty on British subjects would not be viewed with indifference by England.
Lord Brougham said that privateering, according to international law, was not piracy; but to join an expedition against a power at peace with England was a piratical act. To constitute an efficient blockade, such force must be maintained as to make the passage of it absolutely impossible, but this was very difficult.
Lord Chelmsford denied the doctrine of Lord Brougham relative to privateers.
Lord Campbell said that the Earl of Granville had laid down the law correctly with respect to a blockade and articles contraband of war. A subject of another power holding letters of marque was not guilty of piracy.
Lord Kingsdown said that the Northern States might consider the people of the Southern States rebels and guilty of high treason, but that this would not apply to the subjects of other powers becoming privateers.
Commercial News.
Liverpool. May 18.--Breadstuffs, --Flont closed firm at 28s ed @ 3 6d Wheat — its 6d@14s for white. Corn quist — mixed 31s 3d@36s, white 36s.
Provisions — Beat firm. Pork steady. Bacon easier. Lard heavy.
Produce.--Rosin dull at 7s, Carolina rice 248; Baltimore Bark 6d
The sales of cotton for the week at Liverpool amounted to 47,000 bales at a discline — of ½@1½d.--Breadstuffs were also declining. Provisions were steady.
Conscis pl@912.
