Hence withdrawal of the coasting clauses. defence of Mr. Bancroft, "who was a most honourable and straightforward man." Be that, however, as it may, he certainly deceived Mr. Labouchere; and, indeed, Lord Palmerston also, who up to the 5th March, expressed himself in the strongest manner that the reply of the American Government would fully bear out Mr. Bancroft's pledges. Such was the ignominious rejection of these clauses relating to the coasting trade, which had been inserted in the Bill of 1849 to meet "the conciliatory disposition" of Mr. Bancroft, but which his superiors at Washington sternly and unequivocally repudiated.
The debate.
Alderman Thompson, &c.
Mr. Ricardo.
The debate on Mr. Labouchere's resolution brought
out again all Mr. Herries' arguments and adverse
predictions about repeal. Alderman Thompson complained
that the United States minister was recalled
with every change of Presidency, and that Mr. Bancroft
was notoriously more liberal than President
Taylor, who had been elected upon the principle of
Protection to native industry. Mr. Banks, Mr. Hildyard,
Sir John Tyrrell, and the Marquess of Granby
followed Mr. Herries and Alderman Thompson in
the same line of objection; whilst Mr. Hume, Colonel
Thompson, Mr. Mitchell, and Mr. John Williams,
maintained the Free-trade line of argument. Mr. J. L.
Ricardo vehemently supported the extreme views of
Free-trade, and said emphatically to the shipowners:
"Depend upon yourselves—depend upon your energies
as Englishmen—depend upon the resources of
this country and the wealth which commands the
resources of the world, and do not trust to Acts of
Parliament. It would be better to send forth our
ships free as the winds which filled their sails, with
