The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-07-20
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF MR.. HUNT,
OF NEW YORK,
ON THE MCLEOD QUESTION.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
THURSDAY, July 8, lsii.
Mr. HUNT, being being entitled to the moor on
the resolution in the Of Mcleod, called ior It's
reading, lit was rea 4, and IL as follows:
Resoirsd, That the President Of the United States
be requested inform tins House, II not mcompaii-
HE with the public interest whether any officer OF the
Army or the Attorney General of the United States
has since the 4th March last been directed 20 visit the
State Of State Of New York for purpose connect
ed with the imprisonment nr trial OF Alexander Nc
Leod and ii So TO communicate 10 this House copies
Of the instructions TO and report Of such scer and
whether, by any Executive measures or correspon-
dence, the British Government has been given 10
understand that Mr. Mcleod will be released or sur
rendered
Mr.. HUNT then said Mr. Speaker, had ! been
called to vote upon this resolution, as my coissgue,
(Mr Floyd,) who introduced IL, left Il, should nave
given il my silent support should nave done %
notwithstanding have ever deprecated all attempts al
interference with the various departments Of 1osefn
ment Executive Judicial, IN the discharge oil thel
appropriate duties and more especially 10 matters OF
the delcaey and grave import Of the one under cons
deration Siill in practice well as in theory this
Government has no state secrets, and II gentlemen
choose 10 embarrass il in its foreign negotiations SO
be it with them must the responsibility but LEI
them have the information asked for
But, sir, the gentleman from Pennsy lvana MIR.
Ingersol) with acknowledged nay, aroned dislnte-
RESIDENCES, patriotism, and freedom from all party
views, has, in his speech, placed the question upon
other grounds. As presented by him cannot yield
it any support. He has made the resolution the occa
sion for a studied elaborate and abored attack upon
the present Secretary Of State and through him upon
the President.
choose sir to meet this attack, and SO far as am
concerned, court its continuance, for most assuredy
gentlemen Of the Opposition wilt in the end, DIS
that they have mistaken both their object and
subject
understood the gentleman from Pennsyly ania Mr.
lnpersoll as making some allo ance for the gross
errors Of the State document Of The 24th April last,
inasmuch that the first diplomatic paper OF the
Secretary. Sir this most kind and considerable
The part of the learned genteman-klndly meant,
beyond all doubt, and therefore, should be kindly
ceyed. Still, It occurred 10 me at the time, and SO
it still seems that the American people the world,
and posterity, will make allowance TO Daniel
Webster, for a want Of knowledge in municipal or
internaiioni law. No. sir the man who, for at least
quarter Of century, has stood out in boil relief
tho great constitutional lawyer of his country and
who has been designated in Europe the master
mind, not OF America, but OF the age, can claim no
such indulgence. He asks nothing upon this score
DO bis friends-he friends of the present Admi-
nistI alton.
In one respect this attack If il have any aim or end
would be directed, | will say against, but
tonards, the Judiciary OF my own Stai- King Mob
exiIaneous influence Is invoked IN ad of correct
sober impartial, unbiased Judicial decision in
involving merely the life of individual but the
still fearful consequences Of war.
The contemplate individual, ALEX ander Mcleod
whom gentlemen in the Opposition seem Determined
TO make of some Importance, is now prisoner in the
State of New York, charged with arson and murder.
His case in now under adyIsemeEt before the Supreme
Court OF that State, after most able and elaborate
argument. And : one of the mistakes of the OPP
position, let me tell them, that Court will eariessly
discharge its high duties despite all foreign influence
from this floor or any other quarter Be the conse-
,oences 10 individuals or nations what they may,
growing out Of this case, have known that court
long enough and well enough, TO know that the
will be decided according law according the die
tales of conscience and enlig tened judgment In
this respect, therefore, tell gentlemen OF the Opposi-
ton, they have mistaken their otject and subject.
In another aspect the attack attempt to en-
barrass negotiations nfame the passions of men, and
embroil two powerful nations in war.
War sir, may be very fine subject for orators, or
gentlemen in Congress to talk about but let say
" War is game that, were the People wise, kings
would not play at"
War at this day with England For what on our
part2 Conquest No. Acquisition of territory
No. We already have more than we know what TO do
with. Sir, If war must come II will on part be
in defence of national rights and national honor
What, sir, will 1t be on the part OF EnglanIl One of
pride, and what she deems due her Go,ernmeDt-I
holding, as II does great portion Of the globe trbu
tuary provinces and colonies OF the imperial Gov
eminent at home Is any lnsa ne enough 10 sup
pose England looks To This country for conquest and
aggrandizement2 No, sir; her views are, and have
been for halt century directed TO another hemisphere
Hei North American possessions are only bill Of
pense her and did she know OF any mode Of celing
them to US without yielding the great principle upon
which her Government rests the principle OF conquest
and colonizing, she would To- morrow give US deed
in fee of all her possessions in North America.
And, sir, the resuH Of this war On our part,
doubt not, gallant vndicaton of national rights
and honor, and acquisition of all the possessions
Great Britain in this country--an acquisition after
years OF hard fighting alternate and feverses
the loss OF thousands OF lives, and the expenditure OF
hundreds OF millions OF money. lay out of this &C
count the breaking up of all the highways of life its
regular and healthy pursuits, its morals and religion.
But, sir, as a gif do we want these British posses
slons Let SouLttrn gentlemen this question
let them lock TO II. enter not upon the Argument
OF giving an illimtable number Of free States this
Union. | only now stop to say we have territory
enough; acquisition and conquest we do not desire or
need.
But sir, as mere party measure, who are to gain
by war Most assuredly the Admin of John
Tyler The patriotism of this country Will never de
sert the Administration in the day of foreign peril and
battle. Right or wrong my country men will stand
by their own government and support is officers
In this respect, also, gentlemen will find they have
mistaken their object and subject
And now, SIR, permit me to call your attention TO
the history of tins Mcleod affair furnished by the
past Administration.
Under date Of December 81 1887, (the Caroline
having been burnt On the nigh OF the 29th of that
month"; Garrow, the marshal of the northern district
OF New York, writes from Buffalo to President Van
Buren, amongst other things, as follows, viz:
Sir: This frontier is in a state of commoton
came TO this city the 22d inst | learned on nv
arrival, that some 200 or 300 men, mostly from the
district OF country adjoining this frontier, and from
this side o. the Niagara, had congregaied upon Navy
Island (upPer Canada,) and were then in arms, with
Rensselaer, Van Rensselaer, of Albany at their head
as commandment chief From that tme TO The pre-
sent they have received constant accessons Of men
munitions of war, PROVISIONS &c. from persons ri ST
ding within the States Their whole force is now