and some of the officers were on shore fixing the dues demanded by the Circassian authorities, and payable on the value of the goods. … The man-of-war came not coast-wise, but from the open sea."—(Mr. Anstey, House of Commons, February 23. 1848.)
But need we give further proofs of the St. Petersburg Cabinet itself seizing the Vixen under pretext.of blockade, and confiscating it under pretext of custom-house regulations?
The Circassians thus appeared the more favoured by accident, as the question of their independence coincided with the question of the free navigation of the Black Sea, the protection of British commerce, and an insolent act of piracy committed by Russia on a British merchant ship. Their chance of obtaining protection from the mistress of the seas seemed less doubtful, as
"the Circassian declaration of independence had a short time ago been published after mature deliberation and several weeks’ correspondence with different branches of the Government, in a periodical (the Portfolio) connected with the foreign department, and as Circassia was marked out as an independent country in a map revised by Lord Palmerston himself."—(Mr. Robinson, House of Commons, January 21,1838.)
Will it then be believed that the noble and chivalrous viscount knew how to handle the case in so masterly a way, that the very act of piracy committed by Russia against British property afforded him the long-sought-for occasion of formally recognising the Treaty of Adrianople, and the extinction of Circassian independence?
On March 17, 1837, Mr. Roebuck moved, with reference to the confiscation of the Vixen, for "a copy of all correspondence between the Government of this country and the Governments of Russia and Turkey, relating to the Treaty of Adrianople, as well as all transactions or negotiations connected with the port and territories on the shores of the Black Sea by Russia since the Treaty of Adrianople."
Mr. Roebuck, from fear of being suspected of humanitarian tendencies and of defending Circassia, on the ground of abstract principles, plainly declared: "Russia may endeavour to obtain possession of all the world, and I regard her efforts with indifference; but the moment she
