Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-01-23
Twegssy-aovertaa Cotags'csS--Ess scss
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nrp,rr IN r;IE srE.in&NT'S MESS &c E-tCoSuNrro
The motion 10 refer Tie Presidents Message on the
subject of relations with France to the COMMITTEE
on Foreign Relations, being under CONSIDERATION
MIR. Buchanan made some remarks IN approval o. ''i'
Message
[Ihese remarks have already been given in our re''
Mr. Calhoun rose as Mr. Buchanan took his seat;
| rise (sad MIR Calhoun) with feelings entire; a.,
eni from those Of the Senator from Pennsylvania M
said he listened to any message %is' lied snch
faction than the present. That which, mas G.'I v,n
agreeable sensations in his breast ia listen 10 docu
the mos. profound regret Never o'a .s ,axoo
ynent with more Inc archo!y feelings, win
tion-tbe war.messagc from tue SAINT iu's. d &c 9
years slnce against one VI ''~
this Conirdcracy , ~ -, a., l;>; g ,h
.snn with strong conviction that there would be no
war saw indeed, many untavorable ana hostile lndi'
th natons was too trivial TO terminate DISASTROUS
~ could not believe that two great and cng htencd
nations blessed with constitutional Governments. and
between whom many emdearng recolectioEs existed
10 bind together in mutual sympathy and Kindness
would This advanced stage Of cpisation plunge into
war for frivolous With this impression, not
wi,ls,anding Ill and heard still believed peace
would be preserved but the message and the speech OF
the Senator from Pennsylvania have dispeed the deu
sion will not undertake to pronounce with certainty
that war is intended, but will say, that if the RECON-
nendaons of the President De adopted it Will be almost
inevitable.
-
country is now placed has been the result OF deliher
ate and systematic policy am bound TO speak my sen
tments freely 1t is due to my constituents and tie
country to act with perfect canaur ana tratE on que
ton in which their interest deeply involved. ~i
not assert that the Executive has deliberately aimed At
war from the commencement; but will say that from
the beginning of the controversy to the present moment
the which the President has pursued precisely
the one calculated terminate in conflict between the
two nations II has been in his power at every period
TO give the controversy direction by which the peace
Of the country might be preserved without the least
succc frePutaon or honor but he has preferred The
opposite feel (sad NJ c. how painful it is to make
these declarations how unpleasant is to occupy Po-
son which might by any possibility be construed IN
opposition to counirys cause but, IN my concel-
tion the honor and the interests OF e country can Gn
be maintained BY pursuing the course that truth and jus
tce may dictate. Acting under this lPrcsSion 40 not
hesitate to assert after careful examination OF lie do
cnmeuts conuccted with this unhappy controversy THAT
if war must come are the auihorS-We arc The re-
s,onsble party Standing, US fear do OIL the eve
Of conflict it would to me have been Of pride
and pleasure to make opposite declaration; but that
sacred regard truth and justice which trust vii! ever
be guide under tie most o!!ncult circumstances,
would not permit.
canno, lsaid Mr. c. but call back to my reco!!er-
ton the position which occupied twentytours years
since as member Of the other House. We we've then,
as fear now, on the eve OF a war with great
and powerful nation My voice then was raised f'r
war, because then believed that justice, honor, and
necessity demanded it. 1t is raised for peace, b.
cause | under the most solemn convection that by
going to would sacrifice justice, honor and n"'
rest. The motive which then iInpeIlrd 10 war
now impels to peace.
have not (sa,d MIR. c. made this assertion lightly It
is the result Of mature and deliberate reflection 1t IS
not my intention 10 enter into minute examination OF
that unhappy train of events which has brounh the
country its present situation but will briefly touch
few prominent points, beginning with that most UNI
fortunate negotiation which destined to terminate
SO dlsastruusly for the country.
FROM. the Of the present King, his Ministry
avowed itself favorable to the settlement Of claims
1t could scarcely be otherwise The King had just been
raised TO the throne, undera revolution originating in
popular impulses which could not but dispose him tavu-
raby towards Lafayette, at the time, possessed
much power and influence and had greatly contributed
elevate Louis Philippe to his present station. His feel
inrs were known 10 he decidedly favorable 10 But
with all this favorable inclination, the Ministry were
fearful Of concluding treaty. They dreaded the
Chambers, they knew how odous all treaties Of in
demnity to the entire French nation, and how
difficult it would be, TO bring the Chambers to
agree TO make appropriation to carry treaty of
indemnity into effect, even with our country With
these impressions. they frankly stated to Mr. Rves, our
Minister, that the difficulty not with he but with
the ChainberS that II treaty made 1t could not
be carried into effect without vote Of appropriation from
the Chambers and it was very doubtful whether such
vote could be obtained. These declarations were not
made once twice. they were repeated again and agn
throughout every stage of the negotiation, and
cmphaiicaly than in the very last just before the
conclusion of the treaty.
The President Of the Council, Mr.. Perricr in 4 con.
versaton with Mr. Rives at that late period stated that
there would be difficulty in arranging the question,
it that he feared opposition the part of the
Chambers, which might place the relations between the
two countries in dangerous state by refusing tU
make the appropriation. How prophetlc as if he had
toreseen what has since 10 pass. do not profess
10 give his words did not anticipate the discussion,
and have not come prepared with documents, but what
state is substantially what he said. With this appre
henson he asked our Minister wait the short period
lbs
they might be consulted botoye the conclusion OF the
treaty, order 10 avoid the possibility OF the enihar
rassmrnt. which has since occurred, and winch has
dangerously emhroiled the relations of the two countries
MIR. Rves objected, and the treaty was concluded.
Now, submit (said Mr. Co. 10 every OF integrity
and hoaor, whether We, III accepting the treaty after
these repeated declarations, did no: accept subject TO
the condition which they npled; that is, whether, in
point of tact, the stipulation OF the French Executive
ought not 10 be fairly construed with these declarations
made at the formation of the treaty, to amount simply
to engagement TO his best cdcavors obtain the
assent Of the Chambers 10 the appropriation Such would
certainly be the understanding, in similar case be-
tween honorable and conscientious Individuals and such
apprehent will be the opinion hereafter when passions
shall have subsidized, Of every impartial inquirer after
truth
The question (said Mr.. CO. is BOW presented has lie
French Executive complied with his PROMISE? Has he
honorably, faithfully, and earnestly enseavorrd TO oh
tain the assent of the Chambers? 20 these questions
shall not reply have the answer to our Executive
and to oar Ministers. They have explicitly and homo
raby acquitted the French Executive this Important
point.
But (sad Mr. C.) let us turn to the conduct Of our
own Executive in relation 10 this mPog tant part Of the
controversy If the implied obligation IN the pnr of tie
French Executive such | suppose, There
corresponding one, the part OF ours to terpose
obstacle in obtaining tie assent of the Chambers How
stands the fact? Mr.. Rives in communicating 10
Executive the result of the negotiation boosted of his
skill and the advantage which he had acquired the
French negotators. pass him by. 1t was perhaps,
natural for him to boast. What does the Executive 10?
With full knowledge Of all the facts, forewarned Of
the difficulty which the Fre.nh ministry would have
to encounter in the Chambers, le publishes to tho
world this boastlul communications which produced