Palmerston took much credit for the energetic military preparations, but stated "from that position of strict neutrality, it is not our intention to depart "-- an important declaration if taken, as apparently it was not, as fixing a policy.

In substance all speakers, whether Whig or Tory, praised the Government's stand, and expressed gratification with the peaceful outcome[497].
A further debate on the _Trent_ was precipitated by Bright on February 17, in connection with the estimates to cover the cost of the military contingents sent to Canada.

He asserted that England by generously trusting to American honour, might have won her lasting friendship, and it is worthy of note that for the first time in any speech made by him _in Parliament_, Bright declared that the war was one for the abolition of slavery.

Palmerston in reply made no comment on the matter of slavery, but energetically defended the military preparations as a necessary precaution.

Bright's speech was probably intended for American consumption with the purpose of easing American ill-will, by showing that even in Parliament there were those who disapproved of that show of force to which America so much objected.