Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-03-05
CONGRESS ON MONDAY.
Correspondence OF the Baltimore Patriot.
wAsufseroS. MoNpAY. March le4

the vacancy caused by the resignation OF MIR Web.
ster, appeared to-day, was sworn, and took his scat
OUR RELATIONS WITH GREAT BRITAIN.
MIR BUCHANAN asked that the Committee on
Foreign Relations, be discharged from the further
confederation OF the resolution calling for any addi-
tonal correspondence that may have passed between
MIR Fox and Mr. Forsyth, in relation TO the matters
in dispute between this Country and Great Britain
He would state, with much brevty as posi-
BILE, the reasons which had induced the committee TO
believe that il would be nexpedien, at the present
moment, to publish the correspondence TO which
the resolution referred.
Ii would be recollected by Senators who had d-
rected their attention this subject, that IN
quence of the correspondence already uublished be-
tween the two Governments, and TO wnch he need
not particularly refer, il became the duty OF Great
Britain to submit to Government the project Of
convention for the settlement OF this long-dispu-
ted boundary question. This duty had been per-
formed by the British Government in the month Of
May, 1889. The President did not approve of this
proposed convention chiefly because it contained no
ultimate provision which must inevitably and final
ly determine the controversy between the two
countries. Indeed, from its character, 1t quite
probable that had been adopted, il would have
produced this result, much to be desired and
the President was firmly convinced, considering the
long delay-the high state OF mutual irritation ex-
istng along the border, and the imminent danger Of
actual coison--hat the interest of both parties I'M
peratively demanded the adoption Of such treaty
supulations as must necessarily make end OF the
question. The British Government had unequivo.
cally conceded with the President in these senti-
rscnts; and the two Governments had already
agreed upon the essential points of a convention
based upon these principles, and alike advantage
Gus and honorable 10 both. There still some
PROVISIONS OF this convention of comparatively mi
nor importance, and involving detail rather than
principle, which had not yet been agreed upon
but II were the sincere desire of both parties,
ne believed It was 10 arrive at an amicabe conclu
sion, the negotiation must be successfully ter
minated Under these peculiar circumstances, the
committee believed that II could do no good to either
party, whilst it might be embarrassing to both Go
Vernments 10 publish TO the world the correspond
enee and the different projects and counter projects
OF treaties which had passed between them.
Mr u. said that his official position in the Senate
mad afforded him ireeaccess TO all this correspon-
uence.-He had examined il with care, and would
now frankly stste the impression which il had
made on his mind. Although he would not pre-
tend TO say that there were no omens OF war in the
conduct of the British Government on our northern
1rontier yet this he should assert, with much con-
hlence that, IN the negotiation itself relative to our
North Eastern boundary, nothing had occurred in
consistent with the sincere and anxious desire which
mad always been protested by that Government TO
preserve the peace which now so happily subssted
between the two countries, and 10 bring the cues.
tion to hpa and satisfactory COMMUNICATIONS
o'y thls expression might be too strong, and that
ne ought to have qualified the general terms he had
useo, by excepting the delays we had experienced
from the tardy movements of the British Govern
ment at every stage in the progress of the neso,ia
ZION. Still he felt himself justified in using al the
"ouicH'y language OF the President
ms message at the commencement of the session
that iron the character of the points still in differ
enee and the undoubed disposition Of both parties
10 bring the matter TO an early conclusion, I look
win entire confidence a prompt and satisf,ciorv
termination OF the negotiation" He had reason 10
peieve That such were still the authorizations of the
President IN regard to the Northeastern boundary
question.
Mr.; .. SAID that, on the present occasion, he
should PurPosey refrain from the expression of anv
opinion IN regard TO the Of the ssa mbont Gao
line This was rendered unnecessary bv the fac,
That all the correspondence in relation to this sub
Ject OF any general importance had already been
published, and each Senator had the same means of
forming an opinion which he himself enioved
lhere was no truth whatever in the rumor now so
current that there had been angry CORRESPONDENCE
between the British Minister and Srcre,,rv oc
state since the date Of the last correspondence he
twe.n them, now before the Public. There was
no foundation for this runor IL was true that since
that time, single note bearing upon the subject
had been addressed by MIR. Fox to Mr. Forsyth
which the latter had answered; but this NOTE and
answer were OF SO little importance that he mr.
b. did not deem II necessary TO call for their pnbli
caton and their tone was far from being of an an
gry character. 49,
MIR CLAY made few brief remarks, understood
IN substance TO be that, in his position with ,Le
Committee on Foreign Relations, derived as il had
been from the Vice President it might not lie anns |
~ Nun 20 say n lew words IN relation TO the sub
Ject. The questions in immediate dispute between |
the two countries were the Northeastern Rounda,y
the affair OF the Caroline, the case of Mel cod and
certain seizures on the coast of frica The mos, |
nPortant was DOUBTLESS that relating the North
eastern Boundary. Reference had been made IN
an arbitration that was 10 settle defnitvaI,, ,ho
question: and all the principles that should regulate
the composition OF the arbitration had been set,Ied
on except some minor points Of detail With re !
gard 10 the Caroline, there had been some delay in |
answer 10 the mand Of our Government whether |
her capture within our jurisdiction had been pfe.
v'ousIy authorized or subsequently sanctioned.
AS 10 the case OF Mcleod, good deal depended |
on what the Government Of New York should do ,
IN the matter. In his opinion, there ought I, have
been some lniimatlon by the Executive TO the
proper authority in New York, of the necessity of
nhording to the accused fair aud impartial trial;
and TO his person, If acquitted, perfect security.
If this could not be obtained where he was, he
should be brought 10 part of the country where
strong prejudice did not exist and where the safety
OF his person should be put beyond all question.
lie thought II probable that New York wouId ,.ke
That course without suggestion from any quarter
lie hoped he might have full, fir and impartial
trial, such as II was the duty of the country 10 have
guaranteed TO him.
With respect to the African captives. he did no,
Know what correspondence had taken place I've. |
tween the two Governments; bu. under no cir. !
of search. e"'
Mr.. c. gave it as mis- decided opinion tba, the
state OF the difference between the two countries
was not such as 10 require a special Minister The
minister resident there would he able 10 do all thai
would be necessary in the premises without dificul
~, and ne thought without delay.
Mr. Buchanan, I'm an under tonel am sorrv
10 near mat J expected TO be your Secretarv Of
Legation. MIR. Clay bowedl
AFTER all, (sad Mr. C) | have not We, beoun IN
think OF the possibility of any immediate war with
Great Britain that lime has not arrived vet But
however distant 1t may be, would relax no effort
70 place lhe country m proper state Of defence
ne looked TO the absence Of means Of aoltinv de-
fence, steam-bateres, &c. with the deepest conce,n
lie thought the Government should apply ali lis
energies 10 place the country in such state NJ de
fence as would prepare il to meet any possible eyi-
gency that might arise. ''''
Mr.. e. expressed his belief that both C,ov.,,-
ments desired peace; that II was essential To The in
terests OF each; and that, if war did come # would
not be from the viii Of the Governments. but f,oro
collateral causes, over which they would have no
controul. '''''' wv
The committee was then discharged. aeeording N
the motion Of Mr. Buchanan.
DANIEL WEBSTER
Mr. CUTHBERT, Of Georga, rose. and aid
that on the occasion ofthe resignation Of Mr. Wei.
ser on Monday last, he had made statements 70.
spectng certain doctrines entertained and expressed
by Mr. Webster in reference TO a question most
deeply interesting TO the South, and especially had
charged thal that gentleman had avoyyed the opi.
mon that Congress has the constitutional power 10
prohioh the slave trade between tho States lie
had pledged himself to DO So and he wished now
10 present the proofs TO the Senate
Mr. CUTHBERT was u,oreeJ;,,- -.