The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-11

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secretary The subject oftbe recent invasion Of our
territory ON the Canada frontier and destruction Of
the lives Of our citizens by the British authorities Of
Upper Canada.
House proceedings Of Mondayl
The message having been read,
Mr.. CLAY, OF Kentucky, rose, and moved that
that portion Of the message which relates 10 an APP
preparation be referred TO the Committee Finances
and that the other portion Of IT, relating 10 our foreign
affairs be referred TO the Committee Foreign Re
lations. While up, Mr.. @. said he must take occa-
sion 20 say that he did think that the recent out
rage committed on the soil Of the United States and
the lives OF lis citizens Of the most airccous
nature In rs character and consequences-wholly
unjuslilabe, and not in the slightest degree paaled
by any thing which preceded IT, And, sir, (said Mr.
CD there was character Of elaboration attending
IL which aggravates the enormily. IL was in the
dead hour OF the night; IL was from shore in a be-
hgerant condition, and therefore in state OF con-
slant watchfulncsS; II was aer state Of prepare
tion, which must have been at least three or four
hours, showing that the commander OF the British
forces was apprised of H. and the destination Of the
attacking force. 1t was altogether impossible that
he ignorant ofthe fact that this vessel was lying
quietly at anchor within our jurisdiction, and there
fore in a condition which could not justify an attack
II under all these circumstances that the attack
was made. Neither the people ofthe United States
in the aggregate, nor those in the immediate neigh
borhood Of the disturbed district nor the Govern
ment Of the United States had done anything to JUS
tify this most unparalleled outrage want no far
". S.,l
to me, TO satisfy me that there nothing to justly
H. II was 10 be regretted Mr. @. said that in our
own history examples had been furnished by which
this outrage might be palliated Without, however,
adverting To them, or 10 any recent occurrences he
would only say that the true ground for great
ton 10 place itself on, that of JUSTICE that II
should respect The rights OF all nations the weak as
well as the powerful; and To abstain from all acts
which might hereafter be bought up precedents
| against them While he made these remark, he by
no means wished TO be understood asdesirng 10 kin
die up spirit OF war between this country and Great
| Britain though he thought that ample, prompt and
! full indemnity should BE- given rs. He should, as
much as any man, deploTe war; bat looking iothe
vast resources Of our country the valor of our cit
zcns, and our achievements in former times he
would not fear the result. If said Mr. c.. il should
b. with Great Britain, he should deeply de-
plore il bui in this cause ii would be just war and
ne would be ready 10 meet il, With the present
friendly relations between this country and Great
Britain with the exception of the recent
ces in the northeast he did see any cause 10 APP
| prehend it,.
Mr.. CALHOUN expressed his hopes that, in this
early stage, and before were fully advised that
no attempt would be made to excite the feelings OF
the public by debating The subject which must be the
natural result Of such a He had hoped that
all the papers relative to this important matter
would be carefully examined before taking farther
steps.
The late difficulties on our frontier might, by any
reasonable person, have been anticipated. There
are SO many ties which necessarily bind the feelings
OF the population on either and both sides of the
boundary line on that part of frontier, which
has been the scene of bloodshed and outrage, that
any attempt By either government 10 Cypress such
population, would call forth the sympa:hies of the
other; and in case fany movement in Canada, what
could we expect but that citizens would take par
with the inhabitants, even though their wrongs were
but pretended, in case due not taken by got
veTnment to prevent such interference
Mr.. BENTON said that before this question went
out oflhe Senate he must be permitted to say sol
tlry word arising of H. Alter characterizing this
outrage in very appropriate language the member
said, as i had caught his ears that this outrage had
precedent in our conduct towards other nations"
Now, lest the British should derive an excuse for it,
from hearing it said in this chamber that an exam
pie for this outrage had been given by our Govern
ment, he Mr. B. y would take this occasion TO saw
emphacally, that he knew Of no such example TO be
found in our history.
A report from the Secretary Of the Treasury, in
conformity with the resolution of the 9th instant,
specifying the amount and character of the Treasu-
~ notes issued under the law of the last session.
having been read,
Mr.. WEBSTER remarked, he should move the
printing OF the report and should hereafter its
reference to the Committee on Finance AT the last
session The issue of these Treasury notes had been
authorized by law, and when the bill its pas
sage, it was then proposed that the should bear
no interest, and movement was made TO strike out
the clause specifying the interest This plan, how
over did not succeed and the issue was authorized
cih Interest.
The rate of interest to be fixed upon the notes
was left TO the direction of the President with the
proviso that such rate should not exceed six per
cent
The friends Of the measure urged its adoption on
the ground that 1t was good mode of securing
loan to Government. II seemed, from the report,
that some of the notes had been issued on interest
at the rate Of six per cent. and others at the mere
nominal rate of one mill II was on this point he
should hereafter express his opinion and inquire
whether, in this respect, the Secretary had per-
formed his duty according 10 the spirit of the law
No nj n nj he maj
ner in which these notes had been disposed of, and
here would repeat the question he so often put at
the last session. Does any man voluntarily receive
less per centage than the limits of the law allows
him Or would any man receive for deb. due
five per cent less than par, when he entitled TO
par
These persons might voluntarily receive this de-
preciaed paper, rather than surrender valuable
contract, without which such contracts could not be
fulfilled, yet they would expect the difference to be
made up from some quarter, and how was this diffe
renee to be Obtained.
Why all heavy contractors WILL Of course come
to Congress with their petitions, and demand and of
right expect remuneration for this loss difference
He had already been frequently applied TO to petition
for an appropriation for this purpose He should
Finance, the expedency OF amending the law SO as
10 meet these exigencies.
A report relative 10 the business Of the General
Land Office for the present year; laid on the table,
and ordered to be printed, with, on motion an addi-
ton of 1000 copies.
The CHAIR presented communication from the
War Department, embracing the report Of the Sc
cond Auditor, of the expenditures for the military
service for the year 1887 also report of the sur
veys, by Col. Long, Of the Western and Atlantic
railroad: seyerally laid on the table and ordered to
be printed.
Petitions we're presented 'a
BY Mr.. MckEAN.
BY Mr. BUCHANAN, of citizens of Philadel-
phia, demonstrating against the diSconlinuance of
the express mail: referred 10 the Committee on the