Litchfield enquirer., 1836-03-03

For one, 1 cannot doubt if. From what has trsnspired-frOn the history of our "wn events l, in this controversy, trust it will toe admitted that the greatest caution is necessary In senu
 ing communications from one branch oI me
 Government authority tO another. The h'ns of Great Britain might. with as mnch a"'""'' iy as the President Ofthe United states ""'r
 sent message to the Lords ana t"om'''s z, "' England, or the King of France to ihe FetTS and Deputies of his gOVernment' mrnac'"g Our gOvernment and threatening as whh war 1 or rrnrisaIs. They had the same right tO dO an that the President Oftbe United States had. and why did they not do It!
 Here Mir. Clay briefly impressed the nrces- sitv of the greatest caution in the transmission of com municaiiOns from those in authority. He cOntendcd that this very administration which so much dreaded apologies aud expla- nations. had made them.
 The Secretary of State, when that "ttice was filed by Martin Van Buren the Vice President was in the Chair befnre MT. Clay was, during the course of his remarks. brought before the Senate in no envable light He reminded the consistent and immutoble Matty ofthe time, when he enforced his explanations to MT. McLane, our then Minister at St. James, in reference to our West India Trade. He told, in terms not to be misunderstood, of the hour when he enforced upon Great Brit ain the doctrine now so Odious to him, that the opinions of one administration, or one Exec utive, was immateraL When he maintained that preceding administration had been busted by the people for doing as they had done. Any apology then, or explanation to Great Britain was not only law ful but proper. But now, ye gods, if you say that man should explain his reasons for threatening war. you are traitor. Oh consistency, con-
 sistency, fe upon thee.
 But, says Mr. Clay. the President has made , explanations, notwithstanding his declaration and determination to the contrary. He did
 in his Message of December-he has done it
 in his Message of day. In his first mes- sage he played two parts-assnmed tw o char.
 acters-endeavOring to convince the French that in that document he had made the ne cessary and absolutely required explanation ; and on the other hand, to convince his cOnn- trymen this side of the water. that he had made no explanation, and would make nOne. What was the effect abroad they were sat isfed with the explanation. How was it here? :? none has been made, is the cry of the many. The truth is, as was stated when the message was issued, that it meant any thing-a perfect enigma in all it said regarding France.
 Regarding this unhappy controversy, said MT. Clay, towards the close of his remarks. both countries have been in the wrong. We have, thank Heaven, escaped a war-a war waged not for civl liberty or for maritime rights not for national honor or national in dependence, but a war oceasionea on the one hand by false translations, and on the other by great and unhappy misunderstanding war for debt which would have been can- celIed by the very declaration of war.
 But, sir, he continued. our good old Presi- dent is determined that we shall not be at peace. He DOW makes war upon our surplus revenue. I call upon the members of the ad-
 ministratiOn to be at peace, and apply that
 money to the advancement of peace. and the internal prosperity of our country. Peace Institutions will surely rebound more to our glory than a contest of war.
 WASHINGTON. Feb. IF.
 Mr. Francis o. J. Smith is in hot water.- He has attempted to vindicate the memory of the Hon. William T. Barry, for the pur- pose of excuIpating himself, and in doing So, has assailed in a pamphlet the reputation and the integrity of the Committee on the Post
 office of last year. MT, Smith is unlucky as a pampheteer.
 In the pages of his book-I have not read or seen it-he crossed the path of the Hon. MT. Hawes of Kentucky, one of the Post-of-
 flee Committee, and yesterday. whilst prop osi;ion to print letter from the pen of Mr. Barry. made by Mr. Smith, was before the House, MT. Hawes took occasion to tell Mr. f Smith that he was liar-that is to say, he { told him that his book on the Post office was /. grossly false. For this FACT. Mr. Hawes was !, called to order. and required to take his seat.
 It was immediately reported that the gen
 tleman from Maine, and the gentleman from
 Kentucky would have fight. But no fight P. has taken place. nor will the honorable gentle
 man go to Bladensbursh. And why not e Why, for this very good reason. Mr. Hawes l. wh" IS brave man, and man ofvery hand }. some talents, has got cooked eye, and |" can e not see good." and Mir. Smith has got cor - rect eye, and can see to keep out of danger 'f and haint got no gizzard."
 n Mr. Hawes, notwithstanding the delinguenc1 5, of one of his eyes, would afford MT. Smith IS chance at a fight, 1.-the gentleman should de d pand one but as Mr. F. O. J. or jog. a lc MT. Wise calls him, could not fght the las
 winter no way you could fix it, ! doubt r. he takes up the code ofhOnor, as his rule an k guide this season. It is but a sorry bushes 't, tO light duels, was the expressed opinion q a Bob Acres, and MT. Francis O. J. Smith, Ih doubt not, is precisely of the same opinion. e. The speech of Mr. Evans of Maine, ha at been pronounced by competent judges one 0 !. the ablest that has been delivered in COngres '- this session. We have room only for tn, a concluding remarks. in which he speaks o
 the conduct of Mr. J. Q. Adams in terms 0 }, scOrching severity:-
 8 "The honorable member. with a precision if of aim which lea yea nothinpe of dnuhf as as