The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1841-01-28
Important Correspondence.
THE CASE Of THE CAROLINE.

Debates
HORSE OF REpRssENrATIvEs-D 81.
The President transmitted to the House
the official correspondence which is an
nexed. /. is highly interesting. The
British Minister, it will be perceived, as
sames that the destruction ofthe Caro-
line was The act of persons In the British
serrics. obeyiag The order af their supe-
rier o1fcers and that tsuf act, therefore,
can only be tie subject Of discussion be-
treen The t,co National governments.
This is extraordinary and unexpected
ground. and gives exceeding interest to
The course Of action Of the respective GO
vernments. The Caroline, il will be re-
llembered, was in American waters atthe
time of her destruction and the murder OF
American citizens OIL board of her, and
up TO the present time it was the general
impression tha. the act was disavowed by
the British government, although the Off
Ger in command was knighted for his SER
vice on the occasion.
On the presentation Of this correspond
encc. Mr. Fillmore moved that 5000 cop
les he printed. After this had been or
dered, motion to reconsider was made,
and the reading of the papers ordered.
This having been done, a debate. arose
which is thus ske,ched by The correspond
emf of lle Baltimore American -
Mr. Afford, of Georgia, who moved the
reconsideration, was the first to break 81
lcace. He was glad that he had submit
ted the motion to reconsider, and the more
SO from the character of the correspond
ence. For one, he was ready to approve
of the letter of the Secretary of State, and
l do cheerfully approve it, said Mr. Afford
and the more readily, since it is the
first official act which can remember
which has been submitted by this Admin
isira,ion, which has met my appreciation.
My party bases are not so strong, but l
can appreciate the good done by an oppo-
nent.
Mr. Holmes of S. Carolina replied, and
with some feeling. am delighted with
This debate. said Mr. H., not because the
doctrines of State Rights have been allu.
ded 10 during the discussion, (thal subject
had been spoken of by Messrs. Stanley,
pickens and Afford before the motion to
reconsider) for any man now interprets
State Rights doctrines as he pleases. Like
the Constitution, the doctrine was con-
sirued as gentlemen chose to understand
ii and every man understood it for him
self.
But am glad, said Mr. Holmes, for AN
other reason. We have heard from gen.
tleman of influence and standing who re-
presents the South, something of the pol
lev of the new Administration. am sor-
ry that the gentleman speaks in tone so
wariike,-of prospects so belligerent. |
am for peace. If there was war, we at
the South would be ruined by it. am
therefore opposed to and fear that it will
be the policy of the administration, for
l presume the member from Georgia
speaks by authority.
MIR Afford replied. "a single word in
explanation TO the honorable and dis,in-
guished gentleman from South Carolina.
When upon The floor before | spoke, not
advisetlIv, or with any knowledge of what
would be the policy Of Gen. HARRISON
I spoke for myself only. The sentiments
gave vent TO were my homes; convictions
] do not agree with the member who pre-
ceded me, as to the position of South
Carolina. When war does come, she
will be found in the field doing battle for
the country. would speak for South
Carolina in reply TO her representatives.
for was one Of The first born children Of
her notification, and know enough Of
South Carolina TO know that she will
stand by the flag of the country"
MIR Gushing. Of Mass. followed in the
discussion, and commented freely and
feelingly upon the correspondence upon
The Speakers table. He reminded the
house of the important avowal now for the
FIRST time officially announced, that our
property had been plnndered, by, Great
Britain, on the authority Of the officers of
the Government. He spoke also of the
conduc, of the authorities of Great Britain
in Upper Canada, both judicial and mill
tary, Ill matters of importance TO us as
Americans. The British authorities were
70 be dealt with upon their own princi-
Piles. Mcleod is now imprisoned and
could be condemned and punished forth
with.
MIR Gushing spoke in reply to Mr.
Holmes of S. G.. also, and III approval Of
the patriotic sentiments which had fallen
from the lips Of the member from Geor-
gia. He was delighted to hear them, and
believed tina, upon reflection they would
find approval even in the heart of the
member from South Carolina. 1t was sim
gular enough, Mr. Gushing thought, that
while The members of this Congress had
from their seats here and from the hust-
ings, proclaimed that the great Wing par
~ were allies of the British, they were
now accusing that very party of being
anxious to rush into war with Great Brit
ain.
Mr. Duncan Of Ohio. rose to offer some
remarks. bu, being of party nature, he
was called to order.
The whole subject was brought to a
close by the withdrawal of the motion to
recnnsitsr