The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-06-29
CONGRESSIONAL.
THE CASE OF MCLEOD
IN SENATE,

The motion of Mr.. RIyEs 10 refer 80 much OF the
Presidents Message refers 10 foreign relations
TO the Committee on Foreign Relations, being taken
up
Mr.. PRESTON, who had The floor from Friday
last proceeded address the Senate ia reply 10 the
remarks of Messrs Buchanan and Calhoun
Our limits enable US to present but brief general
outline of the interesting speech delivered by Mr..
Preston. He commenced by promising to show how
sincerely he concured in the determination which
had been avowed his side OF the Senate To save the
public time by COMPRISING his remarks into short
space as possible He could not feel excused in Civ
ing silent vote, because the principles involved were
OF the deelest importance well as the widest appca
tion and their effect must operate through all time.
He bound 10 enter his protest against views
which were not only in contradiction TO those laid
down by all the publcists but in plain opposition
the dictates of morality and the high and pure spirit
of the Christian religion He arranged the objections
which had been made to the course pursued by Mr..
Webster under four heads Fist that there was not
proper tone in the reply which he had given de-
mand from the British Minister accompanied by a
paipable threat. Secondly, that he had been too
hasiy and too frank In announcing his concurrence
in the principles Of national law laid down ny Mr..
Fox. Thirdly that he was mistaken IN his views of
the law of nations. And fourthy, that he had com
| nlted in sending the Attorney General into
the State of New York
And first Mr.. p. admitted that the demand Of MIR
Fox had been made in very peremptoy terms and that
there haughtiness about his reference to con-
sequences which wont to characterize the dplo-
matte intercourse of Great Britain with other nations
and which they were not wont 10 meet as they ought
to do. He should not have been ndlsposed 10 iniuse
something more of abIuptness and corresponding
peremptory tone into reply for was necessary
that all soyeIeigns treating with each other should
assume the high port and employ the dign-
fled language A naughty manner must be met with
haughtiness If il is hoped TO exact that homage
which the proud never pay but othe proud. Yet he
thought Mr. Websteis tone had enough of this to
tsfy the requirements of moderate though a firm and
a spirited people Mr. p. treated the attack upon the
espondence obviously party movement direct
ed against the Administration He then adyertcd to
the general appreciation with which Mr.. Webster's
letter had been received throughout the country and
pronounced eloquent euogium on the paper
exhibiting noble stream of argument, clear, con-
vincing irresistible, and swelling at times into a
bme eloquence such as had not been exemplified in
our previous diplomacy this subject. As to the al
legged threat there might be some question as TO its
terms bearing that character although Mr. P. frankly
confessed that in his il sounded very much like a
menace But language of this sort was not unire-
quent in diplomacy, Mr. Rivos had employed terms
quite strong in his late intercourse with the Court
OF France, and Mr.. Forsyth language infinitely
stronger in his correspondence with the Spanish Mi
mister, Don Onis. Yet the use of such language by
public ministers had been considered as cause for
war. True, the threat il il were one, derived more
consequence from having been made in the very words
of Lord Pamerston. But the demand of Great Bri-
look at consequences had been rttored by our own
Government in terms quite Ineligible and decided
as those employed by that OF Great Britain In sup
port OF this view Mr.. p appealed to three several
clauses in different parts Of Mr. Wehsters communi-
cation, which he quoted with much emphasis as evin-
cling any thing but disposition to quail or to yield
under threats of Great Britain.
As TO the avowa of concurrence in the British views
of international law being made with much promp-
ude and rankness, he considered il as WORTHY of all
DiulOmatisfs had hpan 1efinaJ ~, ha
70 lie for their country, but the correspondence of
Mr. Webster went honoraby TO show that in our
own case at least, diplomaist man not unwil-
ling and not afraid either 10 tell the truth acknow-
ledge the truth for his country Instead Of preyari-
eating and clubbing he admitted at once what be be.
leved to be true and if position taken by the adj
verse party were true and sound position the sooner
we acknowledge it the be ter. The straightforward
course was not only that most worthy Of the morals
OF the country, but was principles of policy the very
highest wisdom. Most OF our diiic utes and dangers
had come upon us for want of the adoption of such
course in times past
Mr. +. adverted with great severity To the contrast
between the perfect supneness with which the course
OF England had been borne for more than three wears
WIN the sudden fit OF Indignation assumed by the late
administration as soon they had become aware of
the result OF the election which deprived them of pow
err The outrage in the case Of the Caroline now
thrilled every fibre of their souls How much more
might IT have been expected affect them when the
blood of our slaughtered fellow citizens was vet sok
ing from the ground, and blazing fragments of orr
vessel were yet qucnched in the waters Of that ire
mendous fall which she had hecn precirated
The matter had now grown comparatively cold and
with what face could they charge their successors
win being laggafds IN matter which they them
selves had slept profoundly for three years Ii they
were IN power they would dispose Of this case Of
Mcleod. Oh, yes, But this tunult of their blood
had never been reused till the issue of the election had
become known When they were Just going out OF
power, report was made in the House such as he
should not stop 10 notice Il seemed as if they were
anxious TO show that they had the power 10 create
panic, when power 10 do any thing else in the had
departed from their hands They could sink the price
OF stocks, they could bring home our fleet when i,
was too late for them TO take any relieve
the real difficulties of the country.
MT T. vIndlcated, in manner equally decided de-.
patching MIR Cnuenden into the State OF New ork
1t The point of national law were az Mr. Fox con
tended, and as Mr. Webster admitted il TO be then
both justice and policy required that every suitable
measure should be tlken. and taken promptly To pre
vent The shedding OF innocent Hood Ought the Se-
ereisiy 10 have stood the nice points Of qustte
when the rla OF Mcleod was lust at hand and there
was danger Of judicial murder A. TO the ALLEGED
sactihce OF dgnHy, from the indulgence Of too much
haste IN TINS movement in OF humanity no haste
could be too great On such a mission the most dir
nihed individual might be sent, and instead Of being
degraded, would be- henored hy the mission
Mr. T. here referred to the interruption of the laws
which had taken place cncc already, when Mcleod
was discharged hail and insisted that this rendered
still more proper that every suitable step should h.
taken % establish the supremacy Of The law These
are broad, wise, tfuehea-tcd principles Of policy The
plea ~ Mcleod T. the indictment against hm vas
The plea Of the UNITED States The United States
were party IN the trial is business was 10 guard
Mcleod, and obtain possession Of his body that il
might he taken from the municipal and delivered up TO
The treaty making power. Various pleas might be en-