AMERICAN PASSENGER ACT.
We have been requested by Mr. Gilpin, the American
Consul at this port, to give insertion to the
following documents, as important on the subject of
emigration to America, and the bearings of the recent
Passenger Act of the United States Congress:-
Tower Chamber, April 29, 1847.
Dear Sir,-I have the pleasure to hand you the
enclosed statement of the result of our interview
with Lord Palmerston, together with a recommendation
which, as chairman of the meeting held on the
subject, you will, perhaps, be good enough to make
known to all parties interested.-I am, dear Sir,
yours respectfully and truly,
Wm. RUSHTON COULBORN.
H.C. Chapman, Esq.
The undersigned having been appointed a
deputation, to wait on the Right Hon. Viscount
Palmerston, on the subject of the recent Act of the
American Congress, to regulate the conveyance of
passengers, deem it right to report to all parties
interested, that they had the honour of an interview
on Saturday last, when the construction of the new
Passenger Act was very fully discussed, and every
suggestion of the deputation most kindly considered
by his lordship, who promised to make a suitable
representation to the American Government.
The opinion of the Attorney-General, that any ship
sailing from this country, or the Continent, on or
after the 30th of May next, would be exempt from the
operation of the new Act was mentioned; but as the
American Minister may not so construe it, the
deputation consider it desirable, to prevent detention
to a ship, that each party should draw up a short and
clear statement of his case, have it properly attested
before a magistrate, certified by the American consul,
and forwarded to the agent of the ship in the United
States. As Lord Palmerston expressed his conviction,
that whatever the intention of the American government
might be, a liberal construction of the Act would be
extended to those who had entered into engagements,
according to the present law, in good faith, and in
ignorance of the new enactments. (Signed)
JOHN MILLER.
WILLIAM RUSHTON COULBORN.
T.D. ANDERSON.
LIVERPOOL, 29TH APRIL, 1847.
