The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1841-07-15
Debate in the Senate.
CASE OF MCLEOD.
rsdsy. Juas il, Is4l.

Tx NAoL VA "a 'N4@A<OD-
riidsy. Juas Is, Isll.
! The business before the Senate heinz
the notion Of Mr.. Riyes 70 refer 80 much
Of the Presidents Message as relates 70
our foreign affairs 70 the Committee on
Foreign Affairs
MIR. CALHOUN said: rise with tie
intention Of stating very briefly the con-
elnsion 20 which my reflections have
brought me on the question before US.
| Permit me, Al the outset. to premise
that heartily approve Of the principles
so often repeated in this discussion, that
our true policy, in connection with our
foreign relations, is neither 10 do nor %
suffer wrong, not Only because the prin-
ciple is night Of itself, but because il Is, in
is application 10 us. wise and poliic, as
well as right. Peace is pre-eminenily
our policy. Our road 70 greatness lies
not over the ruins Of others. but in the
quiet and peaceful Development Of our
immeasurabiy great internal resources
IN subduing or vast forests, perfeeling
the means Of internal intercourse through
out our widely extended country. and in
drawing forth is unbounded agricultural.
manufacturing, mineral, and commercial
resources In this ample field, all The in
dnstry, ingenuity, enterprise, and energy
of our people may find full employment
for centuries 70 come; and. through ITS
successful cultivation, we may hope 10
rise. not only to state Of prosperity, but
W that Of greatness and influence over the
destiny of the human race, higher than
has ever been attained by arms by tho
most renowned nations Of ancient or mo-
dern times. War, 50 far from acceierat-
ing, can but retard our march 10 greatness
, II is, then, not only our duty, but our pc
: Icy, to avoid il, as long as it can be, viii
! honor and just regard 70 our rights; and
!. as one Of the most certain means OF avoid
, ing wa, we ought TO observe stli justice
: IN our intercourse with Others. But tha
is not Of itself sufficient We must exac
: justice as well as render justice, and BE-
! prepared to do so; Tor where is. there an
example TO be found Of either individual
or nation, that has preserved peace BY
yielding TO unjust demandss
1 II is in the spirit of these remarks that
have investigated the subject before us,
withou, the slightest party feelings, but
with an anxious desire not TO embarrass
! existing negotiations between the two go
vernments, or influence in any degree
pending Judicial proceedings. My sole
object is to ascertain whether the princi-
pie already stated, and which all acknow-
ledge to be fundamental in our foreign
policy, has in fact been respected in the
present case. regret to state that the
result Of my investigation IS conviction
that it has not. have been forced to the
conclusion that the Secretary Of State has
not met the peremptory demand Of the
British Government for the immediate re-
lease Of Mcleod as he ought; the reasons
for which, without further remark, | will
now proceed to state. !.
That demand, as stated in the letter,
rests on the alleged facts, that the transact
ton for which Mcleod was arrested, is
! public one; that it was undertaken by the
order Of the colonia! authorities, who were
invested with unlimited power to defend
the colony, and that the government at
home has sanctioned both the order and
its execution. On this allegation, the
British Minister, acting directly under the
orders of his. government, demanded his
immediate release, on the broad ground
th1t he, as we'll as others engaged with
him, was performing an act of public
duty, for which he cannot be made per-
sonally and Individually responsible to the
laws and tribunals ofaay foreigncountEy;"
thus assuming as universal principal Of
international law, that where a Govern
faent authorizes or approves of an act Of
an individual, it makes it the act Of the
! Government, and thereby exempts the in
! dividlal from all responsibility TO the in
| iured country. To this demand, resting
!. on this broad aud universal principle, our
Secretary of State assented; and, in con-
: formity, gave the instruction to the Attor-
. ney General, which is attached to the cor
{ respondence, and We have thus presented
! for our consideration the grave question,
]. do the laws Of nations recognise any such
!. principles
E feel tina; | hazard nothing in saving
{ they do not. No authority has been ci:
ed to sanction it, nor do | believe that an,
i can be. II would be no less vain to lool
b to reason than to authority for sanction
!, The laws ofnations are but the laws an
u morals, as applicable TO individuals, 8
; far modified, and no further, as reaso
!. may make necessary in their applicado