Mr. Fitzgerald on Tuesday brought forward his motion for the
production of all papers on the steam rams. The Government refused them, and, after a spirited debate, the House supported their view by 178 to 153. We have commented on the debate in another place, but it is necessary to correct a statement made by Mr. Fitzgerald. He affirms that the Foreign Secretary, after refusing to seize the steam rams from want of legal authority, agreed to seize them on receipt of a menace from Mr. Adams. This was denied by the Attorney-General, but the facts only appear clearly in the American Blue-Book. Earl Russell did announce to Mr. Adams that the rams would not be stopped, and on the 3rd Sept. Mr. Adams wrote saying that the note received would produce a declaration of war. That note arrived at the Foreign Office just as a second note from Earl Russell reached Mr. Adams, stating that Government had received further information, and would retain the rams. The source of this information the Attorney- General said was the one point in the matter which Government must keep secret.
