Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-02-26
TweHnty-tllird Consress---ssd. aess
Saturday, FEBRUARY 81.
IN SENATE

The Chair laid before the Senate n communicates.
from the Department of the Treasury CONTAINING TO-
Potomac River. " VIC
Mr. Silsbee presented memorials from five or six hun
dred citlzens OF SALEM two three hundred citizens
oil harblehead, and many citizens OF Beverly all i'm Mo
sacusets, on the subject of relations with France
81 eS1 10 '"e most eHectnai measure to be adopt
e. on'iniercourse law. lie to lay the memo
rails on the table, and print them
On this motion, an incidental discussion of about tcn
minutes durallon arose, IN which Aessrs Calhoun
hlng OF Alabama, Pondexter, Webster Benton Brown
buchanan and Leigh, took part. Mr. Calhoun deemed -
war with France, our present condition In, ro. r
GVls winch could beial the country while Messrs KING
Brown and Buchanan. expressed the opinon t,t ~
loss OF national honor evil of preater mani
tudc and that we ought to be ready to defend iof NJ
all hazards. Mr. Pondexter attributed the nos;tion m
winch our affairs stood with France TO the m
Vi e resident ana stated that there risk threat
ehhg our national honor until that message provoked
IT, Nh Benton answered. that the fact Showed tbat al
though the Chambers had been sitting do bc
ore inc arrival oil the Message of the President the King
had not sent IN the appropriation bill but as soon AZ ts
message was received, the bill was INSTANTLY ironsited
to the Chambers which he considered as rroof ba, t
message would lead to the adjustment of the matter Mr.
Leigh expressed regret that the letter of MIR Lvngsfon
on The subject Of the tone Of the message had ever
PuDsned and said that lac had fears for the result The
ground taken by Mr. Webster in two or three scntencc
was that the affair had ceased to become mere ouet;
OF oGo ana that ne viewed the crisis serious one
DutuePTecated any discussion at this time.
tine above was furnished by our Reporters Aner
was Pacea ID type we were enabled by the kindness of
others to present the following fuller report OF the TO-
marks OF two Of the gentlemen who took part in the dc
bate 4. ''' u'
Mr.. Webster said he was surprised that sueh n do
bate should arse on a motion TO print memorial con
sidcrng the Importance and decacy Of the question and
me state OF the information before the Senate He os
not IN ms place, not having from the Committee
room, when his colleague presented the paper but he
found from the remarks Of gentlemen since he had
ms scat, that the occasion had been taken TO exnrcq
strong opinions the subject Of our relations vitI
France Tie hoped most sincerely the discussion ,vod
not be pursued at present. If it were he should he
quite Obliged to express his sentiments because no
was bound 70 say that they differed from the opinions
winch mad already been uttered by those for ho,n e
entertained much respect lie could not consider lie
question between and France mere question about
deby controversy only about so much money He
thougb certainly, that the question was of n much era
yer and higher character He was anxious most an
loqs TO preserve the peace of the country without sac
hcng. at the same time its honor and dignity lie st;ll
hoped that these objects not incompatible Inc All
trusted that peace might be maintained without diecredit
orIcprodch, and without sacrificing any right or any n
tercst OF this country, any of it's citizens ha, how.
ever, depended much the course udopfod Iv others
But at present, the Senate in no condition p, dis
cuss or consider this high subject No Official communi
cation was before them All they had was paragron,
rom French newspaper IL seemed 10 him in all points
OF view, to be much wiser to wait till Official
cations shall be received in the usual and regular
lie earnestly hoped the discussion would not proceed
Mr.. Buchanan said he entirely concurrod i'm the sc,ti
ments expressed by tie Senator from Massachusetts
lMr Wcisicr0 We ought not now 10 discuss the
French question ON he printing Of This memorial W.