Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-01-09

menl 10 !IldblHc tudL le leoPie u Ihol hoh"~' W."
ever submit to The occurrence Of such acts without com
plant and redress. 1t was. therefore, in any view, high
iy important that the House should obtain all possible
information upon a subject so important.
MIR. Hamcr did not rise 10 discuss the subject at length,
md should moi have opened his lips, had not sentiments
been expressed which demanded some notice. il sound
ed strangely 10 his ears, 10 hear gentlemen declaring
upon that floor, when any opposition, however siisht,
is made to their measures, that such opposition proceeds
from n majority Of that House who are always required
to "loc the mark" upon every question that is presented:
while they, who make this complaint, do not act oil all
from party motives, and are not Influenced by party feel
ings. Now, he could easily conceive that gentlemen
who really thought thus, would he very apt 10 give ut.
trrance to such sentiments; but he should think that
they might sometimes expect 10, meet with opposition
from the other side, grounded upon motives more pure
and disinteres,ed. MIR. Hamer then vindicated the ohjec-
tons taken by tie chairman OF The Committee on Fo-
reign Affairs 10 the amendments proposed.
air. Hamer could not agree with gentlemen that this
country was either on the eve or in any imminent danger
of war with Great Britain. He could see no such signs
as others had declared they had perceived, Of such an
event. He did not believe a greater calamity could now
fall on the whole civilized world than a rupture between
this Nation ind Great Britain; for such Importance must
he attach 10 such an event between Two nations bound
together by so many common ties OF blood, oil language
and of interest. He did not believe that that harmony
was destined TO be destroyed by the hair.brained rashness
of a small portion of the People of Canada. The cause
was inadequate, and could not result in an effect SO dis
astrous.
lie linen reCdpluIaleu LIE lHClueHtS VI III ubai1, 10
they appeared from the papers, aud from the letters read
10 The House by MIR. Fillmore and commended that the
attack was the rash act Of British officer who was sent
TO cut out The boat, while on the Canada side, and who
transcribed his orders in making that attack alter The
boat was within the United States lines. de doubted
whether there were any wounded persons on board the
boat when she was sent, on fire, over the falls, and re-
pudia,ed the idea that any portion Of the People of the
British provinces could possibly have been guilty OF an
act so barb1tous.
Mr.. Fl. did not believe that any occasion OF war ex.
listed between this Government and that OF Great Bri-
tain. British troops, he admitted, might have crossed
disputed territory, or even over our acknowledged ter.
ritory, in Maine, to reach those who had violated our
laws in carrying arms and other aid in favor Of those
with whom that country were ut war; but even from
that fact, allowing tito exist, it is not the necessary con-
sequence that there should be a declaration Of war on
the part Of the U. States against Great Britain.
MIR. Hamerd did not object 10 The amendments, in them.
selves considered, and was willing that all the informa.
ton which could be obtained should be had.
The debate was further continued by Messrs. Cilley,
of Maine, Bronson of New York, Gushing Of Mass.
Howard of Maryland, SibLey Of New York, Patton Of
Virginia, Fillmore of New York, and F. o. Smith Of
Maine.
Mr.. Rhe.t, of South Carolina, obtaiued the floor and