war on land, I am perfectly ready to admit that I have entirely altered my mind on that point. Further reflection and deeper thinking have satisfied me, that what was at first sight plausible—and I admit that it was plausible on the surface —is a most dangerous doctrine, and I hope honourable Members will give weight to my thoughts. A maritime nation ought not to give up any means of injuring its enemy on the sea."
I may here be allowed to remark that, if Lord Palmerston (on a subject of such primary interest to his country, and one so closely akin to the subject of the Declaration of Paris, that, with it, it can only be considered as part of a great whole), changed his mind between 1856 and 1862, his authority, as the person chiefly responsible for the Declaration of Paris, is very much diminished. The change of opinion and the avowal of it were highly creditable to his candour, but the necessity for it is a
