§ MR. J. EWARTsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, seeing the possibility of Privateering being permitted and encouraged by the Southern Confederation of the States of America, Her Majesty's Government have placed a sufficient Naval Force, or intend to increase it, in the Gulf of Mexico, with a view to protect British shipping and British property on board of American ships; and if Privateers, sailing under the flag of an unrecognized Power, will be dealt with as Pirates?
§ LORD JOHN RUSSELLSir, in answer to the first part of the question of the hon. Gentleman, I beg to say that Her Majesty's Government has directed that a naval force, for the protection of British shipping should be sent to the coast of America. As to the latter part of the question, I will state to the House that the Government has from day to-day received the most lamentable accounts of the progress of the war in the States of America. Her Majesty's Government heard the other day that the Confederated States have issued letters of marque; and to-day we have beard that it is intended there shall be a blockade of all the ports of the Southern Slates. As to the general provisions of the law of nations on these questions, some of the points are so new as well as so important that they have been referred to the Law Officers of the Crown for their opinion, in order to guide the Government to its instructions both to the English Minister in America and the Commander-in-Chief of the naval squadron. Her Majesty's Government has felt that it was its duty to use every possible means to avoid taking any part in the lamentable contest now raging in the American States. Nothing but the imperative duty of protecting British interests in case they should 1379 be attacked justifies the Government in at all interfering. We have not been involved in any way in that contest by any act or giving any advice in the matter, and, for God's sake, let us if possible keep out of it!