Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-01-23
Twesa y-fouYsI. congresses - sess.
.M~ndiy, JanuGrr Ia.
IN SstsN AMI,

IN SENATE
DEBATE on riIE rnESiDeNr's MESS coSr,Suro.l
The motion To rcleT tile Presidents Message the
subject ot our relations with France The Committee
onForelgn Relations, being under consideration,
Message
[rhese remarks have already been given in our rcgu
Mr. Calhoun rose as Mr. Buchanan took his scat
rise (said Dir. Cahoun) with feelings entirely differ
ent from those OF the Senator from Penns yvana lie
sad he never listened TO message with greater
faction than the present That which has excited such
agreeable sensations in his breast have heard with
the most profound regret Never did listen TO dozen
ment with melancholy feelings with single excep.
ton--the war-message from the same quarter a few
years since, aguinst of the sovereign members of
arrived here (said Mr.. CO at tie beginning Of the
session. with strong conviction that there would be no
war. saw, indeed many uniavorabe and hostile ind
cations; but thought the of difference between
the two nations too trivial to terminate so
~ could not believe that two great and enlightened
nations, blessed with constitutional Governments and
between whom many endcaring recoections existed
to bind together in mutual sympathy and kindness
would atthis advanced stage of civilization plunge into
war for cause frivolous With this impression not
whstanding all and heard, still believed neace
would be preserved but the and the snasch ~
the Senator from Pennsylvania have dispeed the eu
SION viii not undertake TO pronounce with certainty
'ha war is intended, but will say, that if the recon-
inevitable.
fear (said Mr. CO that the condition in which the
country is placed has been the result of deliber
ate and systematic policy am bound to speak my SEN
hnents freely 1t is due my constituents and the
country to act with perfect candor truth on oues
ton In which their interest is deeply involved will
not assert that the Executive has deliberately aimed at
war from the commencement but will say that from
the beginning of the controversy the
the course which the President has pursued is precisely
the calculated terminate conflict bet tho
Two nations ii has been la his power every period
to give the controversy direction by which the peace
OF the country might be preserved without the least
sacrifice of reputation honor but he the
opposite feel (sad Mr.. O. how painful it is TO make
these declarations; how unpleasant it is TO oceunv no.
si'ion which might by any possibility be construed in
oPposuon 10 our country cause; butt in my concep-
on the honor and the Interests Of the country can only
be maintained by pursuing the that truth and us
,ice may dictate Acting under this impressions do not
hesitate TO assert after careful examination of the do
cuments connected with this unhappy controversy that
it war must come, the auhors-we are tie re.
sponsible party Standing, as fear we do ON the ove
Of conflict, il would have been source of pride
and pleasure to make opposite declaration; but that
sacred regard TO truth and justice which trust will ever
be my guide under the difficult circumstances
would not permit.
cannot (said Mr.. c. but call back to my recoec
ton the position which occupied twenty.iours years
since, as member of the other House. We were then
as fear we are now, on the of war with great
and powerful nation My voice then was raised for
war, because then believed that Justice honor and
necessity demanded it, 1t is raised for peace be-
cause am under the most solemn conviction that by
going TO would sacrifice Justice honor and nS
rest The same motive which then impelled TO war
impes to peace
have not (saId Mr. @ made this assertion lightly It
Is The result OF mature and deliberate reflection 1t is
not my intention to enter into a minute examination of
that unhappy train of events, which has brought the
eHv tone
on lew prominent points, beginning with that most un
fortunate negotiation which destined TO terminate
SO dsasrousiy for the country.
From the accession of the present KING his Mins,r,,
avowed itself favorable 10 the settlement Of our claims
1t could scarcely be otherwise The King had lust been
raised to the throne under revolution origin.fnr in
popular impulses, which could dispose him
rably towards us. Lafayette, at the time possessed
much power and influences and had greatly contributed
eeVale Louis Philippe TO his present station His feel
ings were known TO be decidedly favorable to us But
with all this favorable inclination the Ministry were
fearful OF concluding a treaty. They dreaded the
Shahoers' uey knew how odious all treaties of in
hennlty were to the entire French nation and how
diihcult 1t would be, TO bring the Chambers to
agree TO make an appropriation to carry a treaty of
indemnity into effect, with our country With
these Impressions, they frankly stated Mr. Rives our
Minister That the difficulty with them lint i'm
the Chambers that if treaty were made il could moi
be carried into effect without vote Of pration from
the Chambers; and was very doubtful whether such
vote could be obtained These declarations were not
made once twice; they repeated again and
throughout every stage Of the negotiation and ne YER
conclusion of the treaty.
The President of the Council Mr. Perricr in n con-
versaon with MIR hives iat late period stated that
here WouId De no difficulty IN arranging the question
were 1T not that he feared opposition on the part of the
Chambers which might place the relations between the
two counTles in dangerous state by refusinr IN
make the appropriation How prophetic as if he had
foresoeu what has to pass do not nrof;ss
TO give his words; did not anticipate the discussion
ana have not come prepared with Documents but what
state IS substantially what he said With this appre-
hensIon he asked our Minister wait the short period
Chambers. hat
they might be Consulted before the conclusion of the
treaty, IN order avoid the possibility of the cnbnr
rassment, which has occurred and which has en-
dangerously cmbroiled the relations of the two countries
Mr.: Hiyes objected, and the teaty concluded
NOW, submit (sad MIR. c. every man of INTEGRITY
ana honor, whether We in accepting the treaty after
these repeated declarations did not accent IL suffice, ia
The condition which they implied; that u.s. whether in
point OF fact, the stipulation of the French Executive
ought not to be fairly construed with these declarations
made at the formation of the treaty amount sifnpv
10 an engagement 10 his best endcavors to obtain e
assent oil Tie Chambers to the appropriation Such would
certainly be the understanding, in similar case be-
tween honorable and conscientious Individuals and such
apprebcnd, will be the opinion hereafter wien passions
shall have subsidized, of every impartial inquirer after
truth. ~
The question (said Mr. c. is now presented has Tho
French Executive complied with his promise Has ,e
honoraby, faithfully, and earnestly endeavored TO OBJ
tam the assent OF the thambers To these questions
shall not reply. ! have the answer to our Execulive
raby acquitted the French Executive this important
point.
But (said Mr.. CO let turn to the conduct Of orr
own Executive IN relation TO this important part Of the
controversy NJ The implied obligation on the part Of the
french Executive was sucl, / suppose, there was
corresponding one on the part Of ours to nerpose no
obstacle ia obtaining the Of the Chambers How
stands the iact2 Mr.. Rves in communicating TO our
Executive the result Of the negotiation boosted of bis
ski, and the advantage which he had acquired oyer the
french negotators. ! pass him by. Ii was PERHAPS
natural Tor him to boast What does The Execnve do
WIN foil knowledge of all the facls forevarncd of
the difficulty which the French ministry would have
10 encounter IN t3e Chambers, he publishes 10 the
world this boastlul communication which produced n
sensation in France, such might have been expected
which increased in the proportion the dialplts ~
obtaining the assent Of the Chambers the approra