Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-02-02

now to tho consideration which stamps up |
this subject its peculiar character which sets
off in colors of still darker shade and which must
leave us to infer, that no mere want OF manly,
stern, republican feeling Of sefrespcct not the un
/ observed prostration careless disregard of nm
tiona dignity and character, not alone a cold and
caous nscnsibility to those feelings of cherished
pride, of nice and delicate honor which kindles
into active resistance ut even the appearance of re-
buko, but that more latent motive of proposed
effect has caused this deep dyed stain upon the
nations history and its fame Sir if it were not
enough to bow down the knee and suppcato for
givencss in terms of dolefu regrets for wrongs
and anxious solicude to repair them, if it were
not enough to open to u Foreign Power the history
of our internal disputes and political divisions and
| to ask them to consider party here as moro
kind in their feelings more reasonable in their de-
mands, moro conciatng in their tone, and there.
fore more entitled to hopc for the favorable notice
oil England,-as If the measure of our degradation
was not to be accomplished by a gratuitous con-
| cession of acknowledged injustice of "American
pretensions" "abandonod," the Secretary has re.
sorted In the absence ofothcr provocations, to mis-
statements of fact to create condition Of things
for the purpose of giving color to the ficrceness
and covert wrath which he aims at his political
adversaries.
Sir, say, and the diplomatic history of the ma
Coh VIII prove, that the statement made in this par
ticular charge of tho Secretary is false in fact
yes, sir, doubly false. What is it7 1.-THE claims
set mp by them, and which caused tho in terrupton
OF the trade in question: have be crpLc itly aban.
|
first branch of the position is utterly without found
alton We all know. The last Administration
explicitly abandoned claims which it sot up,
nor did any claims set up by it cause tho in
terruption or the trade. The last Administration was
wiling TO negotiate on tho subject of the trade
| hut the British Government refused to meet their
proposal, although made in the most extended and
liberal feeling of compromise. Let the correspond
ence OF our Secretary of State, and the Message
OF the PRESIDENT prove this. But unfounded as
is that branch OF the assertion, how manifestly
and obviously moro SO, how profoundly destitute
OF even the shadow of correctness is the othcr
which declares that the mscalled american pre-
tensions" were first asserted by the last Admins.
tra,ion-Wh ny, Sir, does not every ono know that
IN this respect the last Administration did but pur-
sue the settled and fixed purpose of tho Admins
tration that preceded it, and that these "preten
slons" did not even commence then? Sir, all Admin
istrations, ha6 INDUCED these pretensions-The
last Administration, tho first to assert them! Truly
this must have amused the intelligent dipsmatist
TO whom the Envoy was directed to make the
communication.
No am wrong in this conjecture, for believe
from my reading of Mr.. McLane's letters to his
Lordshlp, that the experiment was not made upon
his ignorance of what every page in the diplomacy
OF his own country would have taught him. No,
SIR this notion of their being first asserted by the
| !ate Administration did not, believe, find place
| In those letters What 'bearings and relations
that reach beyond the immediate question" were
IN the view OF the Secretary, it is not for me TO
divine tie speaks in another part of these in
structions OF 1.-THE improperly of suffering any
feelings that find their origin in tho past preten-
sions of this Government, TO have an adverse in
huence upon the present conduct of Great Bri-
tain" Sir do not mean to follow the Secretary
in his dark and mysterious language. The plain
and undoubted import of that which unfortunately
for the nations character admit of but one
reading, Is enough for me. No man in my poor
judgment can ask us to confde to his care the dig
nlty OF me nation and It's honor, who has arrayed
one political division of People against the Co.
yernment Sir what is to be the resut2 How
may this very doctrine recoil on himself? In the
same terms may British Secretary for Foreign
Affairs now say to him 81 do not respect vour
opinions as those of the American People; your
President is about to witness the termination of
his period of Office; election is to be made;
the People, the proper tribunal to pass upon his
measures, may not sustain him. appeal from
your Judgment and submit the matter to theirs
and until their sentence is recorded. can only
regard your administration as you have regarded
the late administration" Yes, sir, these arc legi-
Inmate consequences of such doctrine, involving
perfect and entire surrender of all consideration
abroad, and all national pride at home. To an
Individual who has thus outraged tho character
properly belonging to great and hgh-minded ma
ton OF heemen, who has Frustrated its dignity
and brought disgrace and dishonor upon its dipo
matte reputation, never advise the President
to confide the 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 Republic, will, trust
be marked by the most decisive reprobation of an
American Senate.
REMARKS OF MIR. FOOT.
| Mr.. FOOT said, since the Ayes nd Noes are or
ocred, and our votes are to be recorded on this
question, and especially after tho friends of the
nominee have opposed resolution of enquiry into
the conduct of the late Secretary of State in the
discharge of his official duties and have desired
the members to examine for themselves, / feel it
duty and esteem it privilege that NAV state i'm n
few words, and in plain terms, the grounds on
which my vote will be given against this nomna
ton.
Sir, the evidence of my own senses, of sight and
nearing, since the commencement of this Admin
istration have produced thorough conviction in
my mind, that, upon the true Jeffersonian prnci-
pie, viz" Is he honest7 Is he capable7 Is lie
faithful to the Constitution?"-an imperious sense
of duty on the question which will be proposed
viz; "Will the Senate advise and consent to the
nomination." will compel me to answer in the
negative.
A resolution has boon offered to instruct n Stand
ing Committee ofthe Senate to enquire into the
conduct of the nominee in relation to certain very
singular and extraordinary occurrences. This has
been opposed by his friends. 1t has been stated on
this floor, that there papers in possession Of
Senators ready to be presented to the Senate or to
Committee, sufficient to convince any Commit.
tee or any member Of the Senate, that the norni-
nee has stated to of his friends ard partzans
certain facts in relation to the causes of the ex
plosion the late Cabinet, which, il proved it is
admitted ought to prevent the confirmation Of this
nomination.
The Senator from New York, (Mr. Marcy
states that she does not believe these statements
entitled TO credit; he does not believe that Mr. Van
Buren, has ever made such remarks or admissions
to any person." The Senator from Delaware
(Mr. ClaytoD,) proposes to introduce the witness
on this floor if desired. l shall not look for any
admissions or confessions Of this nominee to his
friends elsewhere which would crim;nato him
SiDpr call fH,ro cfI,orc I,,,a