Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-04-21

in the community He had expressed the opinion that
those who were looking for prompt and energetic
measurcs-who were, in fact, looking with Impatence
for an immediate rupture between the two countries,
woud have these hopes repressed; and that others,
who felt alarmed at the tone OF the correspondence
lately communicated to the Senate, would be relieved
from their apprchensions; and he repeated that le
Senator from New York. who had Just taken ms seat,
appeared TO entertain the same OPINION OF the ehect the
report was calculated 10 have on the people OF the
frontier of that State who were excited with the pros
meets of an immediate declaration OF war.
In answer to the question put TO him by the Senator
from Ohio, mir. Alen,) whether he would have the
committee make report in favor OF an immediate de-
cIorat;on Of war ne would say that he had no such
wish nor had he ntmated any such desire. In an
swer to the Senator's further inquiry what sort OF
report he would have the committee make, ne would
not undertake dictate to the intelligent and parIoc
Committee on Foreign Relations what sort of report
they should make this or any other subject he
would not undertake to say that they ought TO make
any other report than they had made II they were to
make any report at all this time. lie believed that
nothing new had transpred to render any report ne
cessary at this particular time. The report communica-
tod M new facts The Senate well knew and the coun-
ry well knew that the President had caused to be made
to the British Government counter proposition, ana
that we were expecting response TO That proposition
in MI This month"; or early in the next. This intorna-
ton had been communicated by the President, and
contained i'm the last correspondence which was before
the country He understood that the further conslde
ration of the Maine question was postponed till thai
response should be received report from the COM
mittec on Foreign Relations had not been looked for
iii il should appear whether have at the time ndl
Gated the promised reply of the British Government
He had acGuesced in that, and had expressed no wish
for report at this tmc IN favor OF ultra measures
So far from that he said he did not believe, nor had he
At any time believed that with Great Britain would
necessarily grow of this controversy lie founded
his opinion partly the fact that OH her part she had
no cause for war. Her claim to the disputed territory
was wholly without foundation, and would not afford
her the slightest justification for pursuing II to that ex-
tremity She would not dare go TO war WIN this
country without better cause for IT. She had 100
much respect for the opinion of mankind to enter INTO
such contest with without some better pretence
than the groundless claim she has set up:
But. sir, said Mr. r can Great Britain be greatly
blamed for pushing her claims bascless as they are,
whilst she has heretofore little to create De-
lief that this Government would resist them TO the last
extremity lie remembered TO have urged al the last,
and at previous sessions, the fertilization OF some ex-
posed points on the maritime frontier OF Name lie
proposed it as amendment TO an appropriation OIL
then before the Senate, and had the silent vote, IN sup
nort Of il, of the chairman on Military Affairs; but it
was voted down BY large ma GRITTY lie had not Tor
gotten il: and could not forget the exposed condition
of the whole country. His opinion that war would not
cnsue was necessarily subject to the condition. that
preparation should be Immediately made 10 meet any
possible contingency. .
We could never expect submission to our rights III
we rive substantial indications OF determination To
vndicate them We must prepare for war to avoid
war Sir said Mr. r., without finding any lault WIN
thn report he would say that he had much rather have
seen a report from the Committee on Military Affairs,
and another from the Committee Naval Affairs, al
fordnr on the part Of this Government an earnest OF IT'S
determination to vindcac the rights OF Name ana The
honor of the nation.
| Mr. CLAY Of Kentucky begged leave to say a Few
words on the subject not much IN reference 10 the
i l. al, hp
general and more important one involving The relations
between this country and Great Britain. lie was nap
py TO hear the Senator from Maine Mr. Ruggles) say
he was not for war; though he did remark when he rst
rose that this report would be unsatisfactory to por-
ton of the people of his State who were for war lie
would saw that If there any party in tins country
| for war with Great Britain, it was criminal party
There was sufficient cause for and he took oc-
cason to saw that far he informed, the OPT
Mons both of the Administration party, and o the par
tv with which he acted, were, that war was 10 be avoid
ed so long as it could be done without compromising
the rirhts and honor of the nation The Senate had
solemnly expressed the opinion, that the question OF
right with MS, and all parties, every individual OF
those parties 50 far their views had been express
ed seemed determined to obtain for Name, by some
of those modes by which national rights are asserted
full and absolute possession Of all the territory within
her rrhtful limits. But he must say that there were
two modes of arriving at this result One was by ne
collation. and the other was by war; and these qncs-
ded by united voice OF inc
country and BY the Executive branch of the Govern
ment as the case NAV be- and 10 be decided by the
voice of one single member of the Coniedcracy the
honor Of the country assacd the councils OF the whole
country must determine rs to the manner and Tune OF V
dicating it. He would take occasion TO say for The benefit
of the Senator from Maine, and the whole people o.
Maine that whilst lie believed them 10 be as valorols
and as enlightened any people IN the Union, he wa:
not inclined 10 conide in their Judgment as TO declaring
war; and the period at which this last resort may be
come necessary If Maine expects the Government
of this country TO secure her rights she must contde
the Government Of this country the whole agency III
settling the controversy. If it is TO be done by neSol
alton it must be left to the Executive and hs constu
tona advisers If to be by war, should be eil &c
that department Of the Government TO whIch the power
of declaring is confded by the Constitution. IN
saving all this he nothing in condemnation OF the
state of feeling that had been evinced by the people OF
Maine. Justice was with her; and he sympathized with
her natural feelings this subject. Her claims mao
unfortunately long been delayed; butt nowlthstand
ing that he said that this Government alone shonlt
conduct the negotiations; and, II war became necessary
decide upon the time and manner OF commencing It
He could not, however, believe that this last resor
would be necessary. There two securities winch
we had for the continuance of peace The first security
was, that Great Britain, enlightened as her councils
were, must perceive what we know, that the rght Was
with us; that she had claim and after being SATISFIED
with these facts upon examination OF the necessary
information, will ultimately concede the right TO us bu
let me suppose, continued Mr. c., that she does not
Let suppose that after investigations she comes tc
the clear conviction to which have arrived, that the
right is with her. that the territory in dispute accord
ing to the treaty of 1888, is within her limits What
then, will be the presented to the world: Iwo Ell
ghtened nations coming TO different conclusions on inc
same testimony and unable 10 agree. What, then are
to be the consequences; Is war, that calamity wheel
every lover of humanity must deprecate, the only al
ternative3 No, Sir. There is another there is sub
sisting treaty stipulation contained in the treaty
Client by which this question is 10 be left to the dec'
sion of impartial tribunal, in the event that the two
countries cannot settle it themselves. say there y
a treaty stipulation still subsisting; and how do
make it out: 1t may be alleged that the matter av
ing been once committed to the umpirage of thirt
party, and that party having given an award, thu
stipulation in the treaty fulfilled, and it was ne
longer in force. Not There an attempt at ar
bitration through the insrumentaity of the King o
Holland; but il was an abortion-a failure-thc Kin!
did not settle the question; both parties acknowledge
that he did not, and the treaty remains in full force
binding the parties to refer this question, if unable t.
settle it amcably themselves, to an impartial tribunal
D..4 tl,1t ~ ant ~ noe