Litchfield enquirer., 1832-02-09

in Gact,-yes, sir, doubly false. What is it " The claims set up by them. and which caused the interruption of the trade in ques- ton, have been erpEicitly abandoned by those who first asserted theM." Now, the first branch 1.-the position is utterly without fOnn- dation, we all know. The last Administra- ton explicitly abandoned no claims which it set up. nor did any claims set up by it cause the Interruption of the trade. The last Ad- ministratiOn was willing to negotiate on the subject of the trade, but the British Govern ment refused to meet their proposal. although made in the most extended and liberal feel ing of compromise. Let the correspondence of our Secretary of State, and the Message of the President prove this. But unfOundGd as is that branch of the assertion, how mani festly~and obviously more sO' how profound ly destitute of even the shadow of correct ness is the other which declares that the miscallsd "American pretenslons'' were trst asserted by the last Administration. Why, sir, does not every one know that in this re- specr the last Administration did hut pursue the settled and fixed purpose of the Admin istraton that preceded #, and that these ''pre tensions" did even commence then ? Sir, all Administrations had indulged these preten- sions. The last Administration, the first to assert them Truly this must have amused the intelligent diplomatist to whom the En- voy was directed to make the communication.
 No, am wrong in this conjecture; for believe from my reading of MT. McLane's letters to his Lordship, that the experiment was not made upon his ignorance of what ev- cry page in the diplomacy of his own coun- try would have taught him. No, sir, this notion of their being first asserted ny the late Administration did not, believe, find place in those letters. What " bearings and rela- tions that reach beyond the immediate ques- ton" were in the view of the Secretary, 1t IS not for me to divine. He speaks in another part of these instructions of the improprie- ty of suffering any feelings that find their or- igin in the past pretensons of this Govern ment, to have an adverse influence upon the present conduct of Great Britain" Sir, do not mean to follow the Secretary in his dark and mysterious language. The plain and un- doubted import of that which. unfortunately for the nation's character, can admit of but one reading. is enough for me. N" man. in my poor judgment, can ask us to conflde |" his care the dignity of the nation and :ts hon or, who has arraytd one political division ot our people against the Govcrrfment. Sir, hat is to be the result? How may this very doctrine recoil on himself! In the same terms may British Secretary for Foreign
 Affairs now say to him ''I do not respec:
 your opinions as those of the American Peo-
 pie: your President is about to witness the termination of his period of office; d new election is to be made inc People, the prop CT tribunal to pass upon his measures' may not sustain him. appeal from your J"dg. ment, and submit the matter to theirs; and until their sentence is recorded, can only re- haVE F6. ed the late administration. Yes, sir, these are legitimate consequences of such doctrine, in- vOiving perfect and entire surrender of all consideration abroad, and all national pride at home. To an individual who has thus outraged the character properly belonging to a great and high minded nation of freemen, who has prostrated its dignity, and brought disgrace and dishonOr upon its diplomatic re- putation, I never can advise the President 10 conide tho preservation of its respect abroad; and this first assertion of course pregnant with every thing that threatens the pride' and dignity, and honor of the American Repub- lic, will, l trust, be marked by the most de- cisiye reproduction of an American Senate.
 REMARKS OF MR. FOOT.
 Mr. FOOT said. since the Ayes and Noes are ordered, and our votes are to be recorded on this question, and especially after the friends of the nominee have opposed reso- lution of inquiry into the conduct of the late Tecretary of State in the discharge ofhis of fcial duties, and have desired the members to examine for themselves, ] feel it. duty and esteem it privilege that may state in few words. and in plain terms, the grounds on which my vote will be given against th's nomination.
 Sir. the evidence of my own senses, of sight and hearing. since the commencement of this Administration, have produced thor ough conviction in my mind, that. upon the tue Jeffersonian principle, viz :-Is he hon est? Is he capable :? Is he CaithfI to the Con- stitution ?-an impcrious sense of duty on the question winch will be proposed, viz :- /" Will the Senate advise and consent to the nomination ?" will compel me to answer in the negative.
 A resolution has been offered, 10 instruct Standing Committee of the Senate to inquire into the conduct of the nominee in relation to certain very singular and extraordinary oc- currences. This has been opposed by his friends. It has been stated on this floor. that there are papers in possession of Senators req dy to be presented to the Senate, or to Committee, sufficient to convince any Com. mittee or any member of the Senate, that the nominee has stated to some of his friends and partizans certain facts in relation to the causes of the explosion of the late Cabinet, which. ifproved, it is admitted, ought to pre- vent the confirmation of this nomination.
 The Senator from New York (Mr. Marcy,)