HC Deb 21 July 1862 vol 168 cc589-92
MR. SEYMOUR FITZGERALD

wished to call the attention of Her Majesty's Government to the unprotected state of British Interests at New Orleans. While the Spaniards, the French, and almost every other maritime nation, had a frigate or vessel of War at New Orleans, no British frigate was to be found there, and the Government of this country was the only Government that was unable to give protection to the life and property of its subjects at New Orleans at the present moment. It unfortunately happened, also, that there was no British Consul at New Orleans at present, Mr. Mure, Her Majesty's Consul, being now in this country and suffering from ill health, and his duties were being performed by Mr. Coppell, who was, no doubt, a very respectable gentleman, but who did not appear to be armed with the credentials necessary to render his efforts as Vice Consul effective. During his absence General Butler issued a very extraordinary general order requiring every foreigner who had resided five years and upwards in Louisiana, and who had not within the term of sixty days taken out what he called the "protection" of his Government, to proceed forthwith to take the oath of allegiance to the United States Government, under the penalty of being debarred from every protection that would be given by the United States Government, with the single exception of protection from personal violence. Mr. Coppell, the acting British Consul, thereupon addressed the following letter to General Butler:— British Consulate, New Orleans, La. June 14, 1862. Sir,—I beg to inform you that great doubt exists in the minds of British subjects, who, under the provisions of your Order No. 41, are called upon to subscribe the oaths therein set forth, as to the consequence of compliance with the behests of that order. I would therefore respectfully request that you will inform me whether the oats prescribed in the first instance is intended, or in your understanding can be construed to affect the natural allegiance they owe to the Government of their nativity. Objections have also been very generally urged against the oath prescribed to duly registered aliens on the ground that it imposes on them (in words, at least) the office of spy, and forces them to acts inconsistent with the ordinary obligations of probity, honour, and neutrality. Hoping that I may receive such explanations as may obviate the difficulties suggested, I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant, GEORGE COPPELL, Her British Majesty's Acting Consul.

Mr. G. Coppell received the following answer:— Head-quarters, Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, La., June 14, 1862. Sir,—I am directed by the Major General Commanding to inform you that no answer is to be given to the note of George Coppell, Esq., of this date, until his credentials and pretensions are recognised by his own Government and the Government of the United States. All attempts at official action on Mr. Coppell's part must cease. His credentials have been sought for, but not exhibited. I have the honour to be your obedient servant, P. HAGGERTY, Capt. and A. A. G. It was therefore assumed that the acting British Consul had no credentials from his own Government, and that he was not recognised by the Government of the United States. The British residents were thus not only left without the protection of a ship of war, but there was no person of recognised official status who was permitted to represent them in communications to the Federal General. The amount of British capital at stake in the city of New Orleans was greater than that in almost every other city in the United States, and in the existing state of things serious events might arise which might bring the two Governments into direct collision. It was therefore most important that the Government should take immediate steps either to restore Mr. Mure to his post, or, by direct communication with the United States Government, to take care that English interests were re-represented in New Orleans, so that the representations of British subjects should not be treated as they had been by General Butler.

SIR JAMES FERGUSSON

said, that last autumn the representatives of British interests at three of the most important cities of the Confederate States, New Orleans, Richmond, and Savannah, were absent from their posts. As the manner in which the Federal generals had treated British subjects had been adverted to, he trusted that the House would not forget the very different mode in which the Confederate Government had behaved to British subjects. Her Majesty's Government had refused to recognise the independence of the South; yet the Confederate Government had extended every possible protection to British subjects, while the Government of the United States, when it regained its authority in any part of the territory of the South, refused to give any redress or protection to Her Majesty's subjects.

MR. LAYARD

regretted he was not able to furnish the right hon. Gentleman with as much information on the subject as he should have been able to do if he had received timely notice of his intention to put the question. He (Mr. Layard) had come down to the House that morning upon the understanding that they were at once to go into Committee of Supply, and to discuss the remaining Votes of the Civil Service Estimates. He could not, however, admit what the hon. Gentleman seemed to assume, that Her Majesty's Government had neglected the interests of British subjects in the United States, because not only had the Government in England given a careful consideration to this subject, but it had also occupied the attention of Lord Lyons at Washington. An order had been given at an early period for a British vessel of war to go to New Orleans; but from causes which it was unnecessary to mention, that order had not been carried out. A French vessel of war had, however, rendered every assistance to British subjects. Mr. Seward had expressed his regret at what had taken place, and pending the return of Mr. Mure, who had been extremely ill, the position of Mr. Coppell, who appeared to have acted very judiciously, had been recognised by the United States Government, and his credentials as Vice Consul had been forwarded to him. He could assure his hon. Friend that Her Majesty's Government would continue to give the most anxious consideration to the protection of British interests in the United States.

Motion agreed to.