§ MR. MITCHELLsaid, he wished to ask whether, British property to the amount of more than £1,000,000 being now locked up m Russia, it was the intention of the Government to continue the blockade of the Russian coast pending the ratification of peace; and whether, if the blockade is to cease at once, an arrangement has been made to enable British vessels to enter Russian ports for commercial purposes without risk of seizure?
§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTONSir, the Congress yesterday extended the armistice to sea as well as to land. Hitherto the armistice has been confined to land operations, and has not extended to sea; and the reason is obvious. It was doubtful what might be the issue of the negotiations, and it was evident that if free communication by sea were permitted, a change of position might have been gained by the Russians which would have materially altered the condition of the belligerents in the event of a resumption of hostilities. The signature of the treaty of peace has fortunately put an end to all chance of a resumption of hostilities, and the Congress yesterday extended the armistice to sea as well as to land, and therefore, as a matter of consequence, the blockade has ceased. With regard to the second question of my hon. Friend, that is one which involves other considerations, and to which I am not at present able to give a reply.