The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-03-02


The Hon. RUFUS CHOATE, elected Senator
from Massachusetts, in place of the Hon. DsNEt
WEBSTER, appeared, was sworn in, and took his seat
RELATIONS WITH GREAT BRITAIN.
Mr. BUCHANAN moved to discharge the Com
mtee of Foreign Relations from the further conslde-
ion Of the resolution calling for whatever correspen
dcnce had passed between the British Minister and
the Secretary of State the subject of relations
with Great Britain, which had not heretofore been
communicated.
Mr. BUCHANAN took occasion to make some RENAL ks,
expressing the belief that peace would be preserved
between the two nations; and declaring that the
ports which had been set afoat, intimang that
angry correspondence had recently taken place be-
tween Mr.. Fox and Mr.. Forsyth, were entirely
founded.
Mr. CLAY, of Kentucky who is a member of the
Committee Foreign Relations, made few remarks.
He briefly referred to the points of immediate interest
in our relations with Great Britain the most impor
tant is the question OF the North Eastern Boundary
which has been referred to arbitration for final settle
ment. All the principles which should regulate the
composition Of that arbitration have been settled with
the exception of few comparatively unimportant
matters. As TO the Of the Caroline the Chief ques
ton was that submitted to the British Government
whether the proceedings in that affair Were taken
under its authority and order, received its sane
ton? With regard to the case of MCLEOD, much de
ponds on the course Of the Government of New York
Mr. CLAY thought there thould have been request
from the General Government to the Governor of New
York to take that Mcleod be brought to place
where fair trial might be given him. and his personal
safety secured Without snch suggestion, he hoped
the Governor would be prompted to take this course.
He sincerely hoped that he would receive fair trial
and that the jury might find the evidence of charac-
ter to require his acqutal. As TO another important
question, the captures made the coast Of Africa,
he hoped that satisfactory expa would be made
by Great Britain, because that Government must know
that we will never submit to this right of search.
Mr. CLAY said that, in his opinion the state of our
relations with Great Britain was not such as
mi all misei IN he
mission quite sufficient For one, he had not even
begun to think of the possibility Of immediate war.
But yet he heartily wished that the country should be
put in proper state of defence He looked with
deep regret on the condition Of the Navy-on the
want of steam vessels and steam batteries particu
larry. He hoped that of the first acts Of the com
ing Administration would be to apply It's energies to
the construction of adequate naval force for the
defence of the country.
He saw no immediate cause for war--and he believed
both Governments disposed 10 maintain that peace
essential TO the prosperity Of both-and that there
need be apprchensions of hostility arising except
from collateral causes which the Government has
no control
The Committee were then discharged from the con-
sideration of the resolution.
SENECA INDIANS.
Mr.. PHELPS asked that the Committee on Indian
Affairs be discharged from the further consideration
Of certain memorials demonstrating against the execu
ton OF The treaty with the Seneca Indians which
was agreed to.
OPINIONS OF THE HuN. DANIEL WEBSTER.
Mr.. CUTHBERT said thai the occasion of the
resignation Of Mr. WEBSTER, on Monday last he had
made statements respecting certain doctrines
tanned by that gentleman, and especially charged him
with holding the opinion that Congress has the CON
stituona power TO prohibit the slave trade between
the States He had pledged himself to prove the
charge and he wished present the proof to the
Senate. Mr.. Cuthbert was proceeding 10 read from
documents before him, when
Mr.. PHELPS, of VT, rose TO a point Of order. He
submitted whether il in order 10 90 into the dis
cusson Of the opinions of an individual when there
was no proposition whatever before the Senaie7