interests of the country-drive from their places those neutral Ministers who have adopted it; but until you are prepared to declare war, you are bound to adhere to and to act upon the system which Ministers have laid down.

I stated a few evenings ago that we could have no difficulty in the course which we had to pursue, in observance of a strict neutrality. We have spent much time in teaching other powers the nature of a strict neutrality; and, generally speaking, we found them most reluctant scholars. All I now call upon the House to do, is to adopt the same course which it has recommended to neutral powers upon former occasions. If I wished for a guide in a system of neutrality, I should take that laid down by America, in the days of the presidency of Washington, and the secretaryship of Jefferson. In 1793, complaints were made to the American Government, that French ships were allowed to fit out and arm in American ports, for the purpose of attacking British vessels, in direct opposition to the laws of neutrality. Immediately upon this representation, the American Government held that such a fitting out was contrary to the laws of neutrality; and orders were issued, prohibiting the arming of any French vessels in American ports. At New York, a French vessel, fitting out, was seized, delivered over to the tribunals, and condemned. Upon that occasion, the American

No

Government held, that such fitting out of French ships in American ports, for the purpose of cruising against English vessels, was incompatible with the sovereignty of the United States, and tended to interrupt the peace and good understanding which subsisted between that country and Great Britain. Here, Sir, I contend, is the principle of neutrality upon which we ought to act. It was upon this principle that the bill in question was enacted. I do not now pretend to argue in favour of a system of neutrality; but it being declared that we intend to remain neutral, I call upon the House to abide by that declaration so long as it shall remain unaltered. matter what ulterior course we may be inclined to adopt no matter whether, at some ulterior period, the honour and interests of the country may force us into a war-still, while we declare ourselves neutral, let us avoid passing the strict line of demarcation. When war comes, if come it must, let us enter into it with all the spirit and energy which becomes us as a great and independent nation. That period, however, I do not wish to anticipate, and much less desire to hasten. If a war must come, let it come in the shape of satisfaction to be demanded for injuries, of rights to be asserted, of interests to be protected, of treaties to be fulfilled. But, in God's name, let it not come on in the paltry, pettifogging way of fitting out ships in our harbours to cruise for gain.

At all events, let the country disdain to be sneaked into a war. Let us abide strictly by our neutrality as long as we mean to adhere to it; and by so doing we shall, in the event of any necessity for abandoning that system, be the better able to enter with effect upon any other course which the policy of the country may require.

MR. MACDONALD concluded a speech, in which he took an extensive review of the negociations at Verona, Paris, and Madrid, respecting the affairs of Spain, by moving the following Address :

"That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, to inform His Majesty, that this House has taken into its most serious consideration the papers relating to the late negociation, which have been laid before them by His Majesty's gracicus command.

"To represent to His Majesty, that the disappointment of His Majesty's benevolent solicitude to preserve general peace, appears to this House to have, in a great measure,

arisen from the failure of His Majesty's Ministers to make the most earnest, vigorous, and solemn protest against the pretended right of the sovereigns assembled at Verona to make war on Spain, in order to compel alterations in her political institutions, as well as against the subsequent pretensions of the French Government, that nations cannot lawfully enjoy any civil privileges but from the spontaneous grant of their kings; principles destructive of the rights of all independent states, which strike at the root of the British Constitution, and are subversive of His Majesty's legitimate title to the throne.

"Further, to declare to His Majesty, the surprise and sorrow with which this House has observed that His Majesty's Ministers should have advised the Spanish Government, while so unwarrantably menaced, to alter their Constitution, in the hope of averting invasion; a concession which alone would have involved the total sacrifice of na tional independence; and which was not even palliated by an assurance from France, that on receiving so dishonourable a submission, she would desist from her unprovoked aggression.

Finally, to represent to His Majesty, that, in the judgment of this House, a tone of more dignified remonstrance would have been better calculated to preserve the peace of the continent, and thereby to secure this nation more effectually from the hazard of being involved in the calamities of war."

MR. STUART WORTLEY moved an amended Address

“That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, to inform His Majesty that this House has taken into its most serious consideration the papers relating to the late negociations, which have been laid before them by his Majesty's gracious command. To assure His Majesty of our entire concurrence in the principles which His Majesty has repeatedly declared with respect to interference in

the internal concerns of independent nations, and in His. Majesty's just application of those principles, in the course of the late negociations, to the case of Spain.

"To acknowledge with gratitude His Majesty's earnest and unwearied endeavours to preserve the peace of Europe. "To express our deep regret that those endeavours have proved unavailing; and, while we rejoice that His Majesty has not become party to a war in which neither honour, nor treaty, nor the welfare of His Majesty's dominions, required His Majesty to engage, to assure His Majesty that, highly as we estimate the advantages of peace, particularly at the present moment, we shall be at all times ready to afford to His Majesty our most zealous and affectionate support, in any measures which His Majesty may find necessary to fulfil the obligations of national faith, to vindicate the dignity of his Crown, or to maintain the rights and interests of his people."

Towards the close of the discussion that arose on the third night of the adjourned debate upon Mr. Macdonald's motion respecting the negociation relatives to Spain, and on the amendment proposed by Mr. S. Wortley

MR. CANNING rose, and said—I am exceedingly sorry, Mr. Speaker, to stand in the way of any honourable gentleman who wishes to address the House on this important occasion.* But, considering the length of time which the debate has already occupied--considering the late hour to which we have now arrived on the third night of discussion-I hear that my own strength, as well as that of the

Several gentlemen rose at the same time with Mr. Canning, to address the House, but they resumed their seats, as the call for Mr. Canning became loud and general.-ED.