The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-04-09

Ing H. Al the present moment he did not think y
night make any observations on the subject but u
they given to understand that the report was to
be considered official he should feel 10 bc his duty
at proper time, to bring the matter before the house
for document insulting TO this nation could not
possibly be conceived.
Viscount Melbourne said, he was unable to give
any other answer to the question of the noble earl than
by stating that he was not aware whether any com
muncation had been received that morning from ief
Majesiy's Minister in the United States relative 70 .ne
subject referred to- But he apprehended nom me
form in which the document appeared that there could
be no doubt Of its authenticity
HOUSE OF COMMONS MARCH 5rH.--THE UNITED
STArEs.-On the question that the mouse 90 INTO
Committee of Supply, to which the army estimates
were TO be referred.
Nh s. OBrien took the opportunity OF adverting
TO the state of the relations between Great Britain and
the United States Two circumstances were stated
in the newspapers to have occurred recently which, II
true deserved the immediate notice of the House OF
Commons The first that true bill had been
found in the United States against Colonel M Leod
for murder and arson, the allegation that he had
been present at transaction ordered by the colonial
authorities of Canada, and the second was, that the
Legislature of Maine had recently passed these TWO
resolutions -
That the governor be authorized totake immediate
measures to the troops of the Queen OF Great
Britain quarered on the territory called dispu-
ted by the British Governments that the resources oil
this state be- and they hereby placed at the dspo-
be- and the same hereby is appropriated out OF any mo
ney in the treasury for the purpose OF carrying ,he
said resolutions into effect he did not know wha'
authority there believing these resolutions TO
be genuine but if they authentic, they amount
ed to nothing less than declaration OF war against
Great Britain. (Hear, hear) lie was more adverse
TO war than any individual in that house He looked
upon war with the u. States more to be dep
| recated than any other nasmuch it must be OF a
fratrcidal character, Hear, hear lie likewise saw
that the commercial interests Of this country must
be exposed to disaster by its continuance
Still if war did take place the present occasion,
il would not be u war of seeking. Besides we
should lose our high character nation, If we did
not defend colonies when attacked neither could
claim their allegiance if we did not give them pro-
lection when they acting under our authority.
| (Hear, hear.) He had great exercise of our
vigor under the auspices of the noble Secretary for
Foreign Affairs in another part Of the globe, where II
was OF more ambiguous character than It would be
the present and that he trusted that the
noble lord would this emergency display the same
vigor which he had displayed elsewhere Ills move
ments, however, were secret-and he did not blame
the noble lord for tthat the house had opportunl-
ty of forming opinion upon the efficacy of his d.
i rections. (Hear.) II was, however, his duty, as
member of parliament to say that our interests would
be better secured than they at present in case we
had strong fleet in front of the harbors OF the nj
ted States and strong army the frontiers of Bri
fish America. He left it to the government to say
/ whether the naval and military estimates were on q
sufficiently large scale to meet every contingency that
might arise in that quarter Of the globe. Clear
hear) II they not, ministers would be wanting
in their duty if they did not come down to parliament
and ask for such sums would enable them TO mee
every contingency. (Hear, hear) He was sure thai
the house would willingly comply with any demand
which would enable them to secure the honor and In
terests of the country. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Ewart did not the necessity for anticipating
differences between the two countries He believed
that the great body of Americans were inclined t
peace with this country they knew their own int
rest we'll he believed, to wish for He trustee
that the unhappy discord which il appeared existed
present might pass off without evil results; and h
confident that if it did, not only the interests bu
the wishes, of both nations would be satisfied.
Mr. Hume hoped that the noble lord would be ab'
satisfy the house and the country by some statement
on this subject (cries of oh and remove any preju
dice which might be occasoned by silence. He Mr.
Hume) was Of opinion that there was no ground TO
immediate interference He thought that nothing ha'
taken place in America, but what had been done un
der the civil law, 1t hanifestly too to ap
peal to war when they not informed that an,
thing had taken place which not in accordance
with the laws of those countries in which they ha'
tax en- place.