By referring to the debate in the House of Commons^ of the
17th March, 1837, it will be seen that Mr. Roebuck laid the
case of the Vixen at full length before the House— demon-
strated its illegality and enormity in almost every point of
view^ and proved the intention of the possession of Circassia
by the Russian Government as absolutely demanding a decla-
ration of war by England, if war should be necessary for its
frustration. Mr. O'Connell, Mr. Hume, and all the sup-
porters of Government concurred with him, and the opposi-
tion side of the House gave their tacit consent. The motion
of Mr. Roebuck was for the production of the correspondence
connected with the voyage of the Vixen, that the House and
the Nation might judge of the case. Lord Palmerston
concurred, in the most explicit terms, with everything ad-
vanced by Mr. Roebuck as to the danger of permitting, and
even the invalidity of, the Russian claim to the dominion of
Circassia, and denounced her attempt as a violation of her
own solemn promises. I do not know that I can better ex--
plain the tendency of the sentiments which Lord Palmer*
STON delivered, in reply to Mr. Roebuck, on the occasion,
than by quoting from an organ of the Government : — " Lord
Palmerston admits the absolute necessity of curbing the inso-
lent ambition of Russia — he charges her Government with the
commission of the most heinous crime that one Nation can per-
petrate against another,viz. an unprovoked seizure of Territory,
contrary to the sacred feith of Treaties ; his Lordship, therefore,
stamps his own character with infamy, unless he takes such
measures as will prevent such a crime from passing unpu-
nished, and such insatiable ambition from destroying the
Balance of power in Europe.
