During the years 1858-9 a feeling sprang up in Spain hostile to England. This was partly attributable to France, which, in every direction, professing alliance with England, endeavoured to foster jealousies and enmities against her. Partly the feeling arose from the demands of the English government for the payment of a debt due by that of Spain ever since war between Don Carlos and Christina. Nearly half a million sterling was then advanced by England to aid the cause of the Spanish queen. The queen and her government, while indulging in the most reckless extravagance, were unwilling to pay.
In 1859 Spain went to war with Morocco, on grounds which England did not deem sufficient, and projects of territorial aggrandizement were suspected as actuating the Spanish administration. England could not allow Spain to erect a fortress opposite to Gibraltar, on the Straits, and such was believed throughout Europe to be the real object of the Spanish minister. France was solicitous to weaken the power of the Moorish empire, and so promote her own designs of encroachment. A Spanish war was favourable to such an object. It would also be practicable for the French, at any time, to expel the Spaniards, and seize upon their positions, and hold a point as powerful for the command of the Straits of Gibraltar as the rock itself. The policy of France was anti-English and anti-Spanish throughout, although O’Donnel, the Spanish minister, regarded it as advantageous to Spain. The demand by England for repayment to her of the loan so long due by Spain, at such juncture, was interpreted by the Spanish government and people as an act of hostility; and the press of Paris, with the connivance of the imperial government, kept up, and, to a great extent, created the opinion. The modus operandi of the English government was, however, so conciliatory, yet firm, as to force respect from the cabinet of Madrid, and evoke assurances which were satisfactory, although few in England believed them sincere.
HANOVER.
The Hanoverian government had levied for a long time, at the mouth of the Elbe, certain monies, called “Stade dues.” This excited much complaint amongst English merchants, and led to an investigation in the English house of commons, in 1858, of the claims put forward by Hanover to such exactions. The committee of the commons reported that the imposts were injurious to British trade, and that Hanover rendered no return. This led to negotiations which, after much tedious diplomacy, ended in the extinction of the rates thus levied upon British ships.
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
The opening paragraphs of the message of the President of the United States contained the following statements, which were as just and true as they were remarkable, coming from that source:—
“It has been the misfortune of both countries, ever since the period of the revolution, to have been annoyed by a series of irritating and dangerous questions threatening their friendly relations. This has partly prevented the full development of those feelings of mutual friendship between the peoples of the two countries, so natural in themselves, and so conducive to their common interest. Any serious interruption to the commerce between the United States and Great Britain would be equally injurious to both. In fact no two nations ever existed on the face of the earth which could do one another so much good and so much harm.”
The year 1858 terminated one of the questions thus referred to by the president—“the right of search.” It was settled, as all questions between England and the United States have been, by concession on the part of the former. English ships of war were, on no pretence, in time of peace, to board, or detain, the American commercial marine on any pretence whatever.