§ MR. J. C. EWARTsaid, in the absence of bis hon. Colleague (Mr. Horsfall), he would beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, if Merchant Ships seeking freight at New York were chartered by the Federal Government of the United States previous to the arrival in America of Her Majesty's Proclamation, the owners of such ships would be liable to the penalties therein stated?
§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTONsaid, the question was one which involved a good deal of legal difficulty. He had communicated with his hon. and learned Friend the Attorney General, and he expected that he would have been present to answer it in a formal and more authoritative manner. Being absent, the hon. Member had better postpone the question for a short time.