[110] While the second reading was under discussion, ministers did not present the papers from the United States, in which the coasting trade was reserved. They discreetly kept the secret up to the last moment before the division. Had the Bill thrown open the whole coasting trade, we now know the Americans would have declined to reciprocate. [111] This is quite true, but the reader has had this fully accounted for by the antagonistic interests of the non-navigating and navigating States. The opposite feeling was disclosed in the very first debates of the Republic. [112] The entries and clearances of foreign vessels in the coasting trade of the United Kingdom are quite insignificant. [113] In the ‘Shipping Gazette,’ March 17, 1849, there is a list of the 51 members of seaport towns in the United Kingdom who voted in favour of the Bill. Mr. Hudson, Sunderland; Mr. Barnard, Greenwich; Lord J. Stuart, Ayr; and Lord J. Chichester, Belfast, were absent. [114] The Amendment would occupy two pages; it will be found in ‘Hansard,’ vol. ciii. p. 1206. [115] _Vide_ Letter of Mr. Crampton, 18th February, already referred to. [116] At the head of the London petition were the names of Thomas Baring; Charles Baring Young; Fred. Huth and Co.; Ransom, Norton, and Co.; Palmer, McKillop, and Co.; H. Davidson; Masterman, Peters, and Co.; Spooner, Atwood, and Co.; Fletcher, Alexander, and Co.; Bosanquet and Co., &c. [117] “Let us be first Venetians, and then Christians.” [118] Yes! But they lost their seats by it. [119] Literally, “You can’t retrace your steps.” CHAPTER X. Debate in the Lords, May 7, 1849, on second reading—Speech of the Marquess of Lansdowne—Lord Brougham—Condemnation of Mr. Porter’s statistics—Protected and unprotected Trade—Voyages to the continent—Napoleon’s desire for ships, colonies, and commerce—Earl Granville—Earl of Ellenborough—Increase of foreign peace establishments—Earl of Harrowby—Earl Grey—Lord Stanley—Admits need of modifications—Canada not our only colony—Majority for the Bill, 10—Duke of Wellington votes for it—Proceedings and debate in Committee—Lord Stanley’s amendment—Rejected by 13—Earl of Ellenborough’s amendment—Claims of Shipowners, and fear of competition—Amendment rejected by a majority of 12—Bill read a third time—Timber duties, &c., admitted to be grievances—Lord Stanley’s protest—Royal assent given, June 26—Coasting trade thrown open, 1854—Americans, October 1849, throw open all except their coasting trade. [Sidenote: Debate in the Lords, 7th May, 1849, on the second reading.] [Sidenote: Speech of the Marquess of Lansdowne.]