Additional Foreign news.
In the House of Commons, on the 28th, Sir Geo. Grey, in the absence of Lord Palmerston, said, in reply to an inquiry by Mr. Hapwood, that the Government had no intention whatever of proposing a Conference on American affairs, as in that Conference the British Government was quite certain the American Government would not concur.Mr. Peacock called attention to the case of the Tuscaloosa, and criticised the action of the Government in her case. He charged the Government with adopting the views of the Federal agents, and moved a resolution that the instructions contained in the Duke of Newcastle's dispatch of the 4th of November, 1863, to the Governor, of the Cape of Good Hope, which remains still unrevoked, are at variance with the principles of international law.
A general debate ensued.
The Solicitor General denied that the Tuscaloosa had a right to be treated as a commissioned vessel, and insisted that the Government was bound to regard her as an uncondemned prize. --If they did not take this course the Confederates would be able to take all their prizes into British ports in defiance of the Queen's proclamation.--He admitted that the instructions to the Governor were not as explicit as desirable, and it was intended to send our fuller instructions soon on all questions of international law — instructions which would be thoroughly considered.
The Attorney General also made an elaborate speech in defence of the Government. He insisted that the instructions to the Governor of the Cape were strictly in accordance with international law, although their immediate object was to maintain the dignity and neutrality of the country. In the case of the Tuscaloosa, as she had unwittingly entered the port and been seized through a misconception of instructions, the only proper and fair course was to release her.
Speeches were made on the opposite side by Mr. Whitehead, Mr. Elphinstone, sir II Cairns, and others, who charged the Government with favoring the Federals at the expense of the Confederates.
During the debate the House was very thin, and a motion was made to "count out," but a considerable number of members came in and made up a requisite quorum.
Finally, the House divided, with the following result: For the resolution, 185, against it, 219.
The Government majority of thirty-four was received with loud cheers.
The London Morning Herald charges the Government with having planned a "count out." They failed, but the absence of many of the opposition members saved them, in a division, the consure they deserve.
In the House of Lords, on the 29th, Earl Derby called attention to the great length of the published correspondence between the Government and Messrs. Laird, relative to the seizure of the rams built by the latter. He insinuated that the Government was, to some extent, actuated by the fact that Mr. Laird was a political opponent. He said that he could have understood the seizure of the rams with a view to the trial of the question of their destination, but to throw upon the owners the onus of proving their innocence was, he contended, monstrous and illegal.
Earl Russell warmly defended the course taken by the Government, and submitted that it was owing to the vigilance of the Government that the Lairds had not succeeded in plunging England into a war with the United States. Earl Russell closed his speech by expressing an earnest hope that the war would result in the final destruction of slavery.
Lord Chelmsford contended that the course of the Government was illegal.
The Duke of Argyle, vindicated the Government.
The subject was then dropped.
A dispatch from Egypt announces that the Commission in the matter of the Mersey rams had finished its labor, and the commissioners would return to London by May 7th.
At the Shakespeare Tercentenary celebration at Frankfort ill feeling was manifested at the banquets given on the occasion between the English and Germans; but the American Consul and others made conciliatory speeches, and restored amity.
The British exports for March show an increase of thirty three per cent. over the same month of last year. Cotton manufactures are largely in excess of the requirements.
