The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-05-01
SATURDAY. MAY /. 1871.
PIcKENs' REPORT.


prudent and sagacious, has been to produce an
unusual sensation in England, to withdraw public
attention, both there and here, from more import
ant and more grave points of difference between
the United States and Great Britain, such as the
Boundary Question, the revival of the right OF
search and certain other matters of grave national I'M
portance, suspend even the negotiations that were
pending about the Caroline, and to direct all eyes
to Alexander M'Leod, as prisoner at Lockport,
about to be tried foI Murder and Arson and perhaps
to be hanged. We say all else is forgotten, and this
only seen.
The unfortunate character Of ibis Report
!. II was perhaps unfortunate that any action of
Congress, whatever, should have been had upon this
subject SO long as il was business pending as sub
ect of negotiation between national Executive and
the British Government It is difficult to see that
was not an interference of one branch ofthe Govern
ment with the appropriate Offices ofanother to embar
rass its operations Certainly it has produced that Of
feet and entirely changed the aspects of the affair,
a negotiation between the two Governments. The
Executive of the United States had not done with it.
had submitted no part Of the business to Congress,
and would not have done at this tme but at call
Of the House of Representatives II would seem to
be indelicate therefore, if not improper for the House
TO do any thing that should compromt or embarrass
the Executive, and much so, to pass by the Exc
cutive, and extend its action SO far as to fall directly
on the third great party.
But 2. The report itself was unfortunate in its
tone Was official as relating to the British Gov
ernment2 No. It was SO, however, in relation to
the House, and medately and remotely its authority
had bearing foreign power. The want Of re-
spect in the authorities of one country towards those
of another, is not only offensive, but undignifed,
and whatever may be the state Of feeling between the
parties, it is not commendable. Language which
Of high honor would nottoerate in private inter
course would be much more unsuitable between the
high functionaries of two great nations.
3. 1t was unfortunate because it travelled out Of
the record The business committed was the cores
pondence between Mr.. Fox and Mr.. Forsyth about
Mcleod chiefly, and the Caroline by Implication,
and nothing more But in the Report we have all
he other points of difference between the two coun-
tries brought up-and that is not all. Great Britain
has homiy read to her her ambition that knows
no bounds" and her evil practices Of circumventing
other nations. The spectacle of her unrvalled mill
tary and commercial importance is paraded the first
as being "equa to million Of men under arms and
the last being the reservoir Of the wealth Of ma
tions"-somewhat overrated, we think in both these
particulars, and not little humiliatng to ourselves
We told where Great Britain lies geographical
ly-a very important piece of informaton-and that
her internal resources Skill labor and machinery,
with her capital, are beyond calculation" We are
made acquainted with the fact that Cheat Britain has
converted the rock of Gibraltar into military post
instead Of raising cotton upon tia very suspicious
circumstance She is also responsible for having
something to do with Malta, the Ionian islands,
and recently with ST. Jean DAcre. She traver-
SEES the Mediterranean and the Levant She is
also acquainted with ST. Helena and the Cape of Good
Hope. Nay, farther There is Bombay and Calcut-
ta The British Indies, East and West, are spread
out before US in this Report, and China too. Falk-
land Island is introduced, and forced to visit
Cape Horn. Halifax, Trinidad, Bermuda, and the
Caribbean sea, arrest our attention. Moreover: 1t
remains to be what effects is to have
Indeed according to this report there is end to the
impertinences of this ambitious and all-absorbing
Power. A million of men under arms, and behold
the extent Of her marinel
One would think it more prudent not to insult such
power, without some preparation to encounter her
frowns. Her Importance is doubtless represented in
this document, to her entire satisfaction. All
this may be very true and very proper when said in
the proper place and at the proper time But for the
highest functonaries Of nation to speak thus to
those of another, while attempting to negotiate the
settlement of difference, is very unusual
4. This Report was rather belligeIant. Mr. Gran
ger said, "that he considered this report il acted
upon and adopted by the House, as approaching very
nearly in its consequences declaration of war; if
the British Government should desire SO to consider
it." Mr.. Adams said she confessed that he entertained
small degree of anxiety that it would inevitably
come to that result" Mr. Fillmore said, eff this
report was calculated to stir up war feeling without
corresponding preparation to meet the consequences
he for one was opposed to it, He regarded il rather
the act of mailman to precptate the country into
war, before it was prepared for it, than the act of
statesman"
5. This Report was unfortunate, as being of a
party character, and as wanting that unanimity with
which such important and eventful action ought to
be supported. The vote in the Committee on Foreign
Relations was against 3. The votes in the House
in its several stages, follows: ITO against III
100 against 70 and l03 against c. It was evident
y party vote, which shows that it was regarded as
originating in some party design. Mr.. Adams said
" he wished that the Report should be recommitted,
and that all those parts which related to the general
policy of Great Britain and to her ambitious charac-
ter and power, might be left out"not because they
were true but because they discoureous and
irrelevant, and equally unbecoming to the dignity and
selfrcspect of the body. They also calculated
rather to irritate the party with whom we have to
do, than TO bring them to equitable terms. If we
90 to war with Great Britain" added Mr. Adams, "it
should be united people,"
6. This Report was calculated to increase the ex-
element the frontiers, which already greater
than could be desired and to add fuel to the war
fame both in this country and in Great Britain. We
know already what has been the effect of in Eng
land Mr.. Granger said, "thcre is an excitement
the western border ofNew York which is already suf
a Pit docun,cnf "a