Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-02-18
GoEaSvcss. --scss. 1
DEBATE IN THE SENATE
ON MIR VAN HyTREN,S NDAIIN l,rIoN

ON MR. VAN BUREN'S NOMINATION.
REMARSs OF MR.. BROWN, NORTH CAROLINA.
DsoeTed IA Secret Session. la The Senate Of the United
States, on Ahe nomination Of M Fan Buren, rs
Minister 10 EHglGad
MIR. BRowN said, that unwilling as he had been IN
participate IN this discussion he could not in Justice
to his own feelings and TO the distinguished ndivid-
uai, whose nomination, rs Minister To England WAS
then before the Senate, refrain from giving utter
ancc to tho mingled sentiments of indignation and
regret, at the course which the debate had taken.-
course which struck him M least as extraordinary
and extremely unjust towards the nominee The
acrimony with which Mr.. Van Buren had been as
sailed, the cplthes which had been so literally he
slowed on him, required some vindicalion at the
hands of those who were favorable to confirming
his nomination., against the injurious and as he he
hevcd, understandable charges which had been pre-
ferred against him. lie would here take leave to
remind gentlemen, that reproachful epities afford
cd but poor substitute for argument and more es-
pccially when addressed to body, whose delibcra-
tons should be governed by calm and dispassionate
consideration.
The Senate had been told by the honorable GEN
tloman Mr. Clay,) who had preceded him i'm this
debate, that Mr.. Van Buren,, when acting as Secre-
tary of State, had dsgraccd his country by certain
expressions contained i'll his Instructions given TO
Mr. McLanc, late Minister TO England, in relation to
the negotiation between the United States and Great
Britain, on the subject of the West India Trade
Waving all discussion to whom the responsibility
should attach, for instructions given to foreign
Minister'S whether TO the President of the IT, States
or to his Secretary OF State, lac would conccdc TO
those opposed to the nomination, the principle con-
tended for by them, that the Secretary of State was
responsible for his official conduct, to the fullest ex-
tent. He knew Mr. Van Buren, too we'll TO believe
for moment, that Inc would desire that any shield
should be interposed to screen him from a proper
responsibility; he believed he would sooner court
the strctest inquiry, than endeaVor TO escape from
at. But to return To- the Instructions What was the
Language which was deemed so exceDtionable2 I'm
order to remove the impression, that feeling of
hostility was felt in this country towards c. Britain.
which the improyldcnt course of the late admins
trauon, IN relation to the West India Trade had pro-
tuced, the late Secretary OF State had alluded i'm
ms instructions, to the change which the people of
the United states had made, i'm those who admins
tered our government, in the following language:
" The opportunities which you have derived from
participation in our public councils, as well MS
other sources Of information will enable YOU TO sneak
with confidence (ds )oT as yOW may deem II proper
and useful 10 dO) Of The respective parts taken Inv
Incnt now committed in relation to the course here
t0orc pursued upon the sub ect Ofthe colonial trade
Their views upon that point have been submitted to
the people OF tho United States and the counsels by
which your conduct is now directed, are the result
ol the judgment expressed by the only earthly trbi-
nal to which the late administration was arncnable
for It's acts" In making this SUGGESTION Mr. VIM
Buren, had asserted what most tr,teuublic oui-
Mon had discarded the late Administration from
power, and the party whom the people of the n
States had committed the reins of Government had
beeU, and were then, favorable to the proposed ar
Tbngemcn hc could, therefore, recognize i'm this no
soid objection but TO his mind, il had more tho ap
pearance OF the capOusncss Of verbal criticism thar
any uhhg else. II there was any thing IN the Ian
guuge which he had noticed, Of submissive tone
as gentlemen had supposed by proceeding little
further I'm the Instructions they would have found
language, which would Cicctualy have removed
all uelr approximations, and shows if the late Sccrc-
tary Of State knew how 70 use tho language Of con