New Parliament, November 18, 1847—Speech from Throne—Mr. Robinson
and Shipowners deceived—Conversation between Mr. Bancroft and Lord
Palmerston—Mr. Bancroft’s declaration—Official letter from Mr. Bancroft
to Lord Palmerston, November 3, 1847—Lord Palmerston’s reply, November
17, practically giving prior information to the Americans—Lord
Clarendon tells the Shipowners’ Society that the laws will not be
altered, December 26, 1846; and repeats this assurance, March 15,
1847—Interview between Lord Palmerston and Mr. Bancroft, published in
‘Washington Union’—Excites great indignation when known in England,
January 1848—Parliament re-assembles, February 3, 1848—Lord Palmerston
admits the correspondence with America—The Earl of Hardwicke’s
proposal, February 25, 1848—Earl Grey grants a Committee—Evidence of
the Shipowners before the Lords’ Committee—Mr. Young proposes some
modifications, the first concessions of the Anti-Repeal Party—Claim in
favour of direct voyages—Government insists on Total Repeal—Detailed
views of Admiral Sir George Byam Martin—Importance of keeping up the
merchant navy—Arguments from his personal experience as to its value
as a nursery for seamen—Working of the system of apprenticeship,
and of impressment—Evidence of Admiral Berkeley, and of Mr. R. B.
Minturn—Details about American ships—Reciprocity treaties so far as
they affect Americans—Their whale fishery.