§ MR. WYLDsaid, he would beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether any communication has been made to the Government of the United States upon the withdrawal of the American squadron from the coast of Africa; whether any attempt was made by the British Government to induce the President of the United States to prevent the use of the United States flag by foreign slavers on the West Coast of Africa; and whether any request has been made to the President of the United States to permit British ships of war engaged in the suppression of the Slave Trade to ascertain (during the absence of the United States squadron) the nationality of ships which may hoist the flag of the United States?
§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTON—Sir, a representation has been made to the United States Government that the number of guns stipulated by treaty to be employed by them on the coast of Africa for the suppression of slavery are not now on that station. The answer given was, that the necessities of war, and of the blockade which they were establishing on the Southern Coast, obliged them to withdraw from foreign stations part of their cruisers which had been there employed. Undoubtedly, this answer, though one cannot altogether contest it, is not a very satisfactory one, because it only amounts to this—that the United States fail in executing the engagement of a treaty relating to a subject in which Englishmen take great interest, because the cruisers which ought to be employed there were employed in establishing a 854 blockade which in itself was very injurious to the interests and commerce of this country. But I believe, however, that I am warranted in saying that the President of the United States is very anxious to co-operate with Great Britain for the suppression of the Slave Trade. In what particular way that may be done, it is not at present for me to say, but I am satisfied there is an earnest desire on the part of that people to employ all the means they have at their disposal to put down the Slave Trade; and, in proof of that, I may mention, what indeed I stated on a former evening, that an American citizen, who was convicted of acts in furtherance of slavery, now lies under sentence of death in New York.
§ MR. WYLDsaid, he must remind the noble Lord that be had not given any answer to the last branch of his question. At present the whole of the Slave Trade on the coast of Africa was carried on under the United States flag.
§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTONMy hon. Friend must be aware that no permission given merely by the President of the United States can be effectual. Such a right of search as he contemplates can only be exercised under a treaty sanctioned by the Senate.