The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1840-04-02

that these movements here, are construed 10
England as indicating a disposition on the
part Of this Government, TO JOIN heart aud
hand . with the British Government IN en-.
deayours TO obtain Commercial Treaties
from the authorities in China. As regards
himself ;lr {. wished to state, this was a
great misconception, if il be not wiliul per.
version OF what is contemplated. He had
thought the present contingency offered a
favorable opportunity TO endeayor TO put the
American trade with China on a Just and
stable footing for the future. Bu. God for.
bid, said be, that an idea should be entertain.
ed here of cooperating with the British
Government in uphodIng the base cupidity
and violence, and highhauded attractions Of
all law, human or divine, which have char.
actefized the British, individually and col
lectivcly, IN the seas of China. He de.
nounced them most emphalically; and at
once TO close The door agaiDs! all misunder,
standing, and TO proven, the Chinese Gov.
ernment from beng misled by supposing
that while the Americans 10 Canton profess
to act IN good faith, and enjoy the benefits
OF II, any different purpose is entertained
here, he put this question to the Chairman
of the Committee of Foreign Affairs
Whether he himself, or so far as he
knows, the Executive of the L. States, has
any idea of making common cause with
Great Britain, in reference TO recent events
in China ;"
Mr.. pckens disayowed any intention Of
making common cause with Great Britain
IN the matter referred 10. No such idea
was entertained by the Committee of For.
eign Affairs. So far as the Executive was
concerned, he had no authority TO speak !;
but he was induced to believe that nc intend.
ed concert with Great Britain existed
Mr.. z. said, he had no intention, directly
or indirectly, TO aid in forcing on the Chi,
nese the odlous traffic in opium. If we
could prevail on China to abandon Der poi.
icy OF uon.lniercourse with the world, and
enter into any arrangement which should
have forts basis commercial relations which
would place US on an equal footing with 9th.
er Powers, II would be all that is necessary.
But Of this he had but little hope, as China
had, from time immemoral, been opposed
10 all treaties. We must, at all events, he
added, act upon our separate and ndepen
den! interests aud on our own views Of policy.
The Chair now stated, that the question
vas on an order pending for call of the
House on "a molten for the previous question
! 10 reference to certain Instructions TO accom-
pany the reference Of a memorial on the
Cumberland Road.
The Clerk proceeded to call th- roll, IN
I'll 1872 members answered. The motion
for the previous question having been Sc
conded, il was put and carried and the
main question was on motion to refer the
memorial to the Committee of Ways and
Means, which motion Mr.. Casey had pro.
posed 10 amend by adding an instruction TO
the Committee to report bill making an
appropriation Of $4,000 to each Of the
States Of Ohio Indiana and Illinois.
Other amendments were offered by Mr..
Pickens and Mr.. Marvin, but the several
amendments being rejected, the memorial
was referred TO the Committee Of Ways and
Means without instructions.
The House then received a considerable
number Of petitions, some Of which were
referred, and others lie over.
The Senate we're engaged most Of the
DAY in the discussion Of the joint Resolution
for the adjournment Of Congress on Mon.
day the 18th Of May. The resolution. on
motion Of Mr.. Williams, was again postpon.
ed for two weeks.