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a different matter, not depending on treaties, but wholly actuated by an English Nature.
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Secondly, defined even more clearly, the attempts go beyond the Conventions in entertaining the most serious apprehensions from attempts to meddle with foreign Enemies Merchant Vessels on the Seas under the Authority of a British Act not recognised or adopted (as the Slave Trade Acts are) by any solemn international Treaty. That the British Parliament has no real distinction in such jurisdiction is of course beyond question. But then the attempt to arrive at the same result by the private bargain of a Shipmaster will commit himself to the risk that he and his Ship are pressed to obligations inconsistent with the general principles of National Law, appears to me one which never would be really successful and which at the same time is fraught with the most dangerous dangers.
With a strong faith in our own intentions, we may think that we had power. With good intentions which underlie the power to regulate the Passenger ships of other Nations as well as our own, since we have no legitimate power over them, I do not believe that the end is to be attained by contrivance or by circuitous arrangements.
Lord John Russell
7.7.8.20
It will, I think, be necessary to consult The Foreign Office not only as to the 14th Clause of the Draft Bill but also as to the...