North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-04-15


pilious, which Heaven forbid, we cen post
pone IL until such measures can be passed
as we NAV deem necessity for the pTotec-
ton OF the country.
Mr.. Allen said he would vote against
the resolution under consideration, or any
other proposing Ia fix day for the al
iournment OF Congress in the present state
Of our foreign relations. He would consi-
der vote fixing day Of adjournment, at
the present moment when we are In ex-
peciaiiou Of Tic receipt of important intel
ligence from Greal Britain, as equivalent
70 declaration that we deemed the antici-
pated answer Of the British Government
as Of no moment, whereas that answer
might involve Us in the most serious diff
euties with that power.
Mr. Benton said he was opposed 10 act
ing on this question Of adjournment at the
present time. He was one OF those who
anxiously desired peace-peace with all
nations; but he was also of opinion that TO
preserve peace we should show to the
world that we were prepared TO defend
ourselves. And he was also Of opinion
that the manner in which we had squan.
dered the public money among the several
States had encouraged foreign nation to
push us to point. Our immense frontier,
embracing an extent OF not less than six
thousand miles, as is generally known,
ia in as deienceless a condition as could
be wished by an enemy. 1t was even, 10
some respects, in worse situation than at
the commencement Of the last war with
Great Britain. To be sure we had some
Qualifications; but many Of them were
without ornaments and defenceless and
could be taken possession of by an enemy,
and made a means of annoyance to US, in
stead Of defence. They would be turned
against US, instead Of being useful against
our enemies. The Senate some DAYS since
passed a resolution which was offered by
the Senator from Michigan, Mr.. Nor
veil calling on the Secretary Of War
for such information as he possessed reIa-
tive to warlike preparations by neigh
boring nation on the Northern and North
eastern frontier. The reply to that reso-
luton has not yet been received but every
Senator is aware that extensive prepare
lions are going on along the whole line of
our Northern frontier-from Lake Superi-
or to Passamaquoddy bay That along
this whole line, the British Government
are not only constructing permanent forti.
fcations, which every nation hes an un-
questioned right to do, but that she is also
constructing field works, which imply ap
preaching operations, and which under the
laws Of nations we had a right to demand
what occasion they were intended for.
But we need not confne our observation
to our Northern frontier for signs of war
like preparation, but we may lcok 10 the
mouth of the Columbia, that important
portion OF our territory which my friend
and colleague Mr.. Lunn] so appropriate.
~ and perseverance, y endeavors to turn our
attention TO. Not only to the mouth of
that important river, but to the Bermudas,
may our attention be turned to the war
like preparations that are being made.
We can also point to the Bahamas-to
the greatly increased facility Of communi- |
cation between Great Britain and Halifax
10 the concentration Of troops in pro- |
vnces bordering on our frontier; all ex- |
hbited evidence Of preparing for a state of
hoStiIities.
Mr.. President, it is time that we cease
plundering our country, and begin 10 de- !
fend il. The miseia able business of divid- |
ing surplus revenue and land revenue.
should be secuted from our councils. The |
armour OF defence is what the nation should |
wear. If we wish to preserve peace, we
must show a will to resist aggression.
The dark clouds are gathering around
US. We see them far above the hori- |
zon, North, South, East and West. |
Great Britan prepares at all points we
remain supine Congress remains supine.
All admonitlons of the late and present
Administrations TO prepare in peace for
war, have been disregarded and now we
are taunted with our delenceiess state. |
at the last session Of Congress, resolu-
tons requiring the heads Of the War and ]
Navy Departments 10 submit plans for the !
general and permanent defence for the |
country, were sent from this chamber. |
One Of these Departments has answered
this resolution the other is preparing il.
When they come in, we shall see what the
general and permanent defence Of the
country REGIMES we shall have pener. !
al plan TO discuss. In the meantime. i'm.
pending events may require accelerated /
action: and he was not for adiourninp /
Or even discussing the question Of adj. |
iournment, until these events were fur. |
her developed. While the question with
England wore its present aspect, he /