§ MR. SEYMOUR FITZGERALDsaid, he wished to direct the attention of the noble Lord at the head of the Government to the proceedings of the United States cruisers in the immediate neighbourhood of Nassau. On a former occasion it had been stated in that House that the United States squadron were actively engaged in enforcing the blockade on a portion of the coast of the United States; but it appeared that their cruisers had since been 1215 withdrawn from that service, and were now employed in blockading British ports. There could be no doubt, indeed, that the United States authorities had pressed, and were pressing to the utmost, without moderation or discretion, the rights which they might possess as belligerents, and he hoped the noble Lord would give the House an assurance that this matter would not escape the notice of the Government; but that, on the contrary, the most vigorous and earnest remonstrances would be made to the United States Government on the subject. He might also take that opportunity of referring to certain proceedings which had been adopted by the United States authorities with respect to British goods at New York. Hitherto it had been the practice to send British goods to New York in steamers, and afterwards to forward them in American bottoms to Nassau. It now appeared that the United States Government would not permit these goods to be exported from New York to Nassau unless the owners entered into a bond that the future owners of the goods at Nassau should not ship them either to the Confederate States or to any port in communication with them. He hoped the noble Lord would also give the House an assurance that this matter would be made the subject of a vigorous remonstrance to the United States Government.
§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTONWith regard to the first Question of the hon. Gentleman, the House must be aware that there is no nation more interested than the British nation in maintaining to the utmost extent belligerent rights at sea. It is an undoubted right of a belligerent to search vessels met with at sea; and if there is a reasonable ground to suppose that they are carrying contraband of war to an enemy to take them into court for adjudication. When a ship is so brought for adjudication before a competent tribunal, it is the right of the owners to urge in defence such circumstances as may show that the vessel should not be condemned. Her Majesty's Government are, of course, not disposed to interfere with the proper exercise of their belligerent rights on the part of the United States. The remedy in the first instance is to be sought in the Court of Admiralty, in the country to which the vessel is taken; but, at the same time, if any abusive exercise of those rights can be shown to have taken place, Her Majesty's Government will take steps 1216 to make a proper representation on the subject. As to the second Question, it is quite true that bonds have been required from the owners of British property at New York, intended to be sent to Nassau, that those goods shall not be sent thence to a particular destination; but we are advised that the United States Government have no right to exact such bonds. It is an abusive power, and Her Majesty's Government have already made representations to the Government of the United States on the subject.