B62 LIFE OF GOBDEN, [omaz.

1862,
Ar, 58.

well satisfied that Mr. Horsfall originates the motion, as it
will give a better chance of success, the Tories being less
likely to oppose one of their own party than me. By the
way, Lindsay says he thinks there is now a majority in the
House in favour of exempting private property from capture.
The question respecting blockades is quite new, but with
8 little discussion we shall carry that point; and I am still
convinced that if the Emperor will propose the three points
which I quoted in a former letter, we can compel our
government very shortly to acquiesce.”
“March 17. ( ,, )—Inall my political life I have never
suffered a more vexatious disappointment than in being
prevented from speaking last Monday. I had taken great
trouble to prepare, and should have had a good opportunity
of being universally read in the papers, for much attention
has been called to wy intention to speak. But I was seized
with a sudden hoarseness arising from a cold, and on
Monday was unable to articulate. The consequence was
that the debate to my mind was kept to too narrow a basis.
However, enough was said and admitted on all sides to prove
that we cannot remain where we are, and as nobody
seriously proposes to go back, it is quite clear we mush go
forward. Iam convinced that the result will be, after the
usual agitation out of doors, that public opinion in England
will pronounce for a complete revolution in the maritime
law. We have more to gain than any other people from
the complete removal of all restrictions on freedom of commerce
 whether in time of peace or war. But we have our
battle to fight as usual with our own feudal governing class.
I am writing this in my bedroom, and cannot, therefore, say
much. As respects the postage question, I will not loge
sight of it.”’?

* The debate was resnmed on March 19 by Mr. Lindsay, who began by
expressing a hope that Cobden would he able to gpexk before the end of