The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-04-02
CONGRESS.

CONGRIcSS.
u. s. SENATE-MAacH 81, 1910.
| During The morning number Of petitions and
memorials were presented.
OREGON TERRITORY.
| Mr.. LINN, from The Select Committee on the
Oregon TIE rrory to which referred the resolu-
lion OF the 18Th December last reported substitute
therefor; which was read and ordered to be printed
The substitute asserts the title OF the United States;
authorizes the President TO take such measures as
may be necessary protect The persons and properly
Of citizens OF the United States resident thereon, and
to erect line Of military posts from Fort Leaven-
worth TO the Rocky Mountains for the protection OF
Indian traders; provides that when the boundaries
are settled one thousand Of land shall be granted
to each white male nhabitant Of eighteen years of
| age; and for the appointment OF an additional In
dian agent
ADJOURNMENT OF CORNERSTONE RELATIONS WITH
GREAT BRITAIN
The resolution submitted some time since by Mr..
Lumpkin, fixing the adjournment of Congress on
the 18th May, being taken up.
Mr.. LUMPKIN bored that a vote might be taken
| on the resolution. His own opinion on the subject
was unchanged, and he believed as he had formerly
taken occasion to say that the business oil the coun
try would be greatly accelerated If a definite day
| fixed for the adjournment. He was aware that
majority OF the Senate differed with him as TO The
time mentioned; but if il was too early the resolu-
ton might be amended so as 10 fix il AT more
mote day; but he hoped that some day would be de-
signaed.
Mr. NoRvELL though, that Congress could NOT
with proprely fix day for adjournment until intel
igence was received Of the action Of the British Go
vernment on the propositions submitted 10 her in re-
ation TO the boundary question. With view, how
ever Of dsposng of this matter for the present. he
would move that the resolution, with the bill, intro
duced by him days since, fixing the day OF the
meeting for the next session. be referred TO the Com
mitee on the Judiciary.
Mr. BUCHANAN said he agreed with the Sena-
tor from Georgia on This subject and had voted with
him throughout His legislative experience, which
was not Short had taught him that seldom was therea
determined purpose evinced TO transact the business
Of Congress until day fixed for the close Of the
session. As TO the question OF this Northeastern
boundary, The British Government last July Che
spoke from recoecton) submitted proposition TO
this Government for its settlement This not prov
ing satisfactory, our Government submitted 10 the
British Government counter proJet, 10 which, as
yet no answer has been received He very
glad to learn from the communication of the British
Minister, which was read in this body on Tuesday
last though he did not like The temper displayed in
that paper, thai an answer might be shortly expect
ed. When The expected answer to our counter pro-
jet is received, will see daylight on this question:
We will then be Informed whether the British Go
vernmen accedes TO the proposition, and is disposed
TO settle it annie bly,, whether she refuses, and in
that event will know what we have to do. He
was not willing 10 vote for fixing the 18Th OF May as
the day Of adjournment, but that he thought that in
all human probability The reply Of the British Go
vernment would be received before the first Of june
Should that answer be unPropiious which Heaven
forbid, we can postpone il until such measures can
be passed we may deem necessary for the prolec-
ton of the country.
Mr. LUMPKIN having acceded tolhe modifca-
ton of his resolution, suggested by Mr. Buchanan,
Mr.. ALLEN said he would vote against the reso-
luton under consideration, any other proposing 10
fix day for the adjournment Of Congress, In .the
present state OF our foreign relations. he wonld
consider vote fixing day OF adjournment, at the
receipt Of important intelligence from Great Britain,
equivalent TO the declaration that we deemed the
anticipated answer of the British Government as of
no moment, whereas that answer might involve US
in the most serious difficulties with that power.
MIR. BENTON warmly opposed the resolution, While
the question with England wore its present aspect, he
deemed it neither wise nor polite to discuss ad-
iournment Ii would look like saying we would do no.
thing defend ourselves, and thereby would encourage
and embolden the power whose preparations me-
Il would operate encouragement 10 Great
Britain to continue to push usto continue TO press and
bear upon US and from that measure collision aud ex
plosion might He for deerring the question
Of adjournment until the public business attended
to, and especially until the question with England
changed its aspect.
Mr.. BENTON also dwelt on the preparations, he al
legged. had bcen made and were making by Eng
land. The Senate days since passed resolution
which was offered by the Senator from Michigan, Mr.
Norvell, calling the Secretary OF War for such
formation he possessed relative warlke prepara
tons by neighboring nation the Northern and
Northeastern frontier The reply that resolution has
yet been received, but every Senator ia that
extensive preparations going along the whole
line Of our Northern fron,er-from Lake Superior 10
Passamaquoddy bay. That along this whole line the
British Government are not only constructing perma
nent ortifcations which every nation has unques-
toned right do but that she is also constructing field
works. which imply approaching operations, and which,
under the laws Of nations, we had RICH, to demand
what occasion they were intended for But need
not conhne our observation TO Northern frontier for
signs of warlike preparation. but may look to the
mouth OF the Columbia, that important portion OF
territory which my friend and colleague fMr. Lnn]
appropriately and perseverngy endeavors TO turn at
tenton to- Not only to the mouth Of that important III
ve but TO the Bermudas, may attention be turned
TO the warlike preparations that are being made, We
also point TO the Bahamas-o the greatly increased
facility OF communication between Great Britain and
Haifax-to the concentration Of troops in provinces
bordering our frontier all exhibited evidences Of
preparing for state Of hostilities.
He repeated that under these circumstances, he was
not for adjourning, discussing the question Of
adjournment
upon the table, but withdrew it a, the request Of
Mr.. NORVELI,, who wished TO be informed nv the
chairman Of the committee military sfairs whether
it the intention Of the committee report, at a day
not very remote bill for the defence Of the country
Mr.. BENTON said an answer to this question was
intended IN his previous remarks. The committee had
delayed their action until report from one OF the depart
ments which was expected at early day, should be
received.
After some remarks from Mr.. Prenliss in favor Of
the resolution
Mr. LINN said, as his constituents had a right to
know his for voting against this resolution he
would briefly state them II he was asked will Com
gross be ready TO adjourn the LIST June, he would
answer in the negative.
Mr. l.. then sdverted TO the amount Of private bust
ness before them, and said that independent, OF any
raneoos matters and leaving entirely out Of view the