Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1841-01-28


pointed out what they thought its objection.
able nature as lnconvenlent to EDgland. =
II was suggested that Mr.. Oswald, who had
negotiated the treaty. had shown himself
deficient in local knowledge.
The general answer to This was that when
it was resolved 10 acknowledge the indie
pendence of the Colonies, nothing was to
be done but to acknowledge them with their
existing limits and boundaries and to de-
clare those boundaries according to former
grants, acknowledgements and acts of Par
lament. This (said Mr.. w J is the gen
eral run of the debate, so far as at present
recollect it. Some years ago referred to
II here, in a speech upon this subject of the
boundary. On that occasion too, refer
red to an opinion OF the Lord Chancellor
upon the effect of such division of empire
as was brought about by the American
Revolution. Lord Loughborough admitted
IN effect, that the treaty Of Peace granted
nothing to the United States. 1t only &C.
knowledged that independence which they
had declared for themselves. The British
agents, while the matter was pending be-
fore the Dutch King, had attempted to
maintain quite different view of the sub
ject. They had contended that the indie
pendence of the United States was grant
from the crown of England, and therefore
that the treaty of peace was to he construed
like grant. and, if in any part uncertain,
so far void. All this was quite inadmssi-
BILE against the fact aud history as well as
against the plain language of the treaty.
III h
the debate in the British Parliament, to
which il referred, was one of great impor-
lance. 1t proved that shortly after the
original treaty was concluded British states
men of all parties agreed that the line de-
signated by it included within the limits OF
the United States the territory now In dis
pute between the two Governments. But
why should the Senate be made the instru-
ment of communicating this debate to the
Public Such course was unprecedented
SO far as his knowledge extended. This
was information proper for the public, and
it might be communicated, like all such in
formation, through the agency of'the public
press. He thought this would be the best
and most appropriate course.
Mr.. Allen, of Ohio, made quite bel
ligerent speech. He thought the United
States ought not to argue the matter, or to
hunt up documentary history in support of
their claim. He thought it time TO take
decided stand tn the matter, and say that
no further discussion should be had
Mr.. Clay Of Kentucky said that he would
be glad to throw a few words Of peace into
the discussion, after the Indignant aud war-
like tones which he had just heard. He
argued that the subject was now under ne
gocialon, and he thought II not good policy
tor the Senate TO interfere. He referred
to the language Of the British minister, and
had been informed that the whole cores
pondence on the part of that Minister was
without instructions, aud he was not going
to put himself in passion on account OF
language used by minister under such
circumstances. The affair OF the Caroline
is one of much delicacy; and it remains to
be seen whether the order BY the British
authorities to capture the vessel was not
intended to be limited to the waters over
which they had jurisdiction, which might
have been perfectly justtiable, but her cap
ture and destruction at Fort Schlosser, on
our own shore, was another and very dit-
ferent matter. Whatever concerns our
foreign relations should be approached al
ways with the greatest caution on the part
of Congress, aud should never be touched
but to strengthen the hands OF the EXecu-
tive, or after it had failed in lis exertions to
secure indemnity and establish our rights.
.Ne,ubmHpori Herald.