The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-03-01

ho.s .y,sy for Inc purposes Of rspne and punder or
OF conquest were totally hostile principles Il MAS
true thai under the operation Of laws prevent hostile
aggression citizens designing nothing more than ekpa,
,fiation might be effected but that this hazard
which an citizens must incur the price Of lhe peace
and Of their safety aud security.
Il does not often happen that citizens who have no
other purposes but those Of peaceful expsration APP
Woaeh the boundary Of the counry which they intend
adopt, anayed IN all the pomp and splendor OF militia
~ preparation, and equipped an all the aEnor Of war
No, SIR Their preparations are Of totally different
charaeler it would not be difficult 10 distinguish be-
tween the and the other As broad as IS the mantle
OF expalration folds ample enough TO cover
hostile expedition. or 10 give mpuny to such design
Our citizens cannot be regarded having thrown oil al
legianee government until they have efi our soil;
aud il they invade the rights Of friendly power, and
commit acts Of hostility against il, The right OF expara-
ton would be good defence against demand for re-
paralion from the power invaded. This government
would be- as ought 70 be, held responsible Tor al the
consequences.
II had heen objected to the adoption Of this measure,
said Mr. O., thatit improper to do that In relation
Great Britain, which bad failed TO do IN relation
TO Mexico under like eircumstances-that u would be
regarded as an evidence Of imidy. He said he did
inteud to enter into yindlcaton OF the colrse OF
the late administration in reference 70 Mexico and Tex
as he thought that the late Executive had exercised
all the powers with which ii invested, and had so
inmacd Congress upon this intimalion, Il was the
duty Of Congress- being well apprlzed OF the true state
Of things, have reviewed the laws in force and sup
piled all defects il there were any, Not having done
so, the administration could only enforce the existing
laws, which feel satisfied done. How far all the
officers Of tho government At the points where our neu-
iraly was violated. have done their duty. Mr. G. said
he could undertake 10 say, he feared however, by
many very negigently He did not doubt that neu-
tralty, many occasions, had been violated, arising
only from the defects Of existing laws, but also
from the disncnaon Of our citizens in good faith to
enforce the laws which were IN existence. Mr. g. said,
il singular that gentlemen had denonnc-
ed the OF the late administration for not doing
that which they now say il had no power 70 do, and
which they are unwilling now to give power to do.
They commend the Of the late Executive BY this
course rather than disparage it, He said perhaps the
existing state Of things northern frontier had done
much deveope the insufciency Of existing laws 10
preserve our neutrality, and cvnced the necessity OF
more efficient legislation The present Executive
deeming il doubtful whether armed with sufficient
power 10 suppress such violations Of neutrality as
were, aud daily threatened northern frontier,
had in accordance with what he regarded most
santary principle, appealed TO the true source of pow
err the Legislative Department. for the enlargement Of
spowers. This example he regarded worthy Of oil
emulation one which he trusted would be continued by
the present, and practsed by oil succeeding admnistra
lions and that there would, during history, never
again be exercised any doubtful power whatever.
He said he had no idea that Great Britain would as
cribe any action on part with view 70 perform
clear and well defined neutral obligations, TO mi-
dity, She could not, and would not ascrbe tito any
disposition but that OF fidelity to the principles Of
rality, and determination perform duty, in good
faith, under circumstances which required IT, AZ to
national courage. she had already had sufficient
experience not TO doubt IL She had only to recur to
Saratoga and Yorktown-to Niagara and New Orleans,
and other fields for ample proofs that courage
sufficient for any demand upon it, 1t is proper at all
times and under all circumstances, that Government,
partic uarly Republican Government, should faith
fully and punctualy meet all its obligations and perform
all It's duties and that whenever its legislation was de-
fective, il should be amended all proper
occasions threatening breach Of national faith II is
proper that should be controlled BY the
want OF legislation upon the subject by other.
powers-we should do our duty and il the want Of le-
gislaon the part of other powers, should subject
hostile aggression by citizens Subjects should
do not doubt would hold them strict respon-
sbility We must look 10 their obligations under the
law OF nations and not their of legislation in ex-
acting responsibility for injuries
MI Speaker said Mr. G., the fact is known to that
hordes of swless maraudcrs ravcrsng northern
frontier TO invade in hostile manner, the provinces of
friendly power--they have prepared and organized
themselves territory, and within our jurisdiction
Has this government the power to prevent II ithas
not these may involve the nation in war--may in
volve the whole frontier IN scenes Of confagraon blood
and carnage, while the government and the people who
indisposed to war, cannot avoid it There is no
constitutional power to prevent it, Surely sir this can
not be -! il is impotency which never attached
to any government, however, organized Sir, said Mr.
G carry out this principle of npotency, reflect upon
the consequences which will result horrid catas-
trophe which may ensue, and the objections founded on
the want OF power must vanish. II these should
invade the Canadas and commence hostilities Il be
for moment doubted that should be held respon-
sibe by Great Britain and that she will not be satisfied
with the pretext that have preventive power!
This pretex certainly will not, and ought not to be
satisfactory answer to demand for reparation Re-
view the case, suppose horde Of marauders from Ca
NADIA were TO invade territory, burn our houses,
plumber our property and murder citizens with the
full knowledge Of the British Government, and she
to exert no means to prevent it-wouM we not
hold her responsible and would we be satisfied with
the declaration on her part that she had authority to
prevent it, Surely not Mr.. G. said the dangers with
which we were threatened, demanded the prompt and
efficient exeron Of all constitutional powers, to
avoid an unnecessary and calalnitous war which the
present state Of things threatened and which he rust
ed would be exercised. With these brief remarks he
concluded what he had to saw upon the subject.
OLIVER CRoawELL,--Emigratons from Old Eng
land to the New England colonies, became frequent
during the reign Of Charles the First of England that