The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-09-21

ence to the orders Of lawful superors must be regard
ed a valid defence otherwise individuals would be
holden responsible for injuries resulting from the acts
of Government, and from the operations Of pub
| lie war"
Yes, sir the British Government have been given
TO understand that since their avowal that Mcleod
acted under their authority he must be ultimately re-
leased or surrendered. And what, then 7 Is i not
so2 Why, sir, Indian sayages-eannibals to whom
revenge the first Of yrtues-accept OF ransom lot
the blood of their relatives slain and is IL for Chris
TRAN nation in cod-blood, four years after deien-
sve rregulary OF border war; provoked by their own
people, to hold responsible to their municipal
law for murder because the life of man was lost In
nocturnal foray, authorized by the public authorities,
civil and military, of the country in whose defence IL
was undertaken and achieved Sir, there is not a
civilized country upon the earth but would cry shame
upon for carrying such barbarian principles INTO
/ practice. war provoked by such an act would be
war of eIterminaon--a Of merciless butchery
and the Of its first unuterable suherngs would
| be the very border OF own country, upon which
we should bring down this judgment Of Heaven.
| ask every member Of this House to put himself IN
the position OF being prisoner IN foreign land LOT
| an act done by orders of his Governmeni-for The
burning Of boat, or the killing Of men ask every
man here TO put himself in the situation of Mcleod,
either in Great Britain or any part Of the British do
minions and suppose II matter OF negotiation De-
tween the two Governments-what would they say,
if the British Secretary of State from representation
that this done by tue Ortefs OIL tne 1oscIhutht
of the United States and that the nation held itself
responsible for the ac-the British Secretary OF State
would say, of course, ultimately we shall release
him Z" Now, would ask ii this would be Disgrace
full TO the British nation IL would have been direct
Iy the contraTyhat there IL descending from the
dignity, and rights, and independence Of nation, IN
admitting the principle that the authority Of nation
covers with mantle the deeds OF individuals per-
formed under it and that, if arrested under civil or
criminal process for it, there be mode of OBJ
lfain hair | hat fh. minis of
nation upon earth would be ashamed Of making such
a declaration as that And carry this correspon
dence TO the utmost extent. What is IL more How
does it compromit this countryl II does not take Me-
| Leod out Of the State of New York 1t never pre-
tended to arrest the operation of the law. The Br
fish Minister has been given to understand that II Is
question between the two nations and that the Gene
ral Government, as you and have deep interest al
stake well as New York and that, if il should
come to hostillties 1t is not for the empire State o
New York TO carry on the with Great Britain
No; it is question for which the honor Of the whole
nation is pledged and therefore the Government OF
the United States has right TO speak upon it. Now,
ask why is this question raised raised in this
resolution, between the Government of the United
| States and the Government of the State of New
York Il is the easiest thing in the world to do what
the Constitution of the u nited States and the Con
situations of the several States intended to do above
all other things that u.s. that each Of them shall dis
charge Its own duties passing along in parallel lines,
| without crossing each others path. And the course
taken by the United States is calculated for that AT
ter commenting, as have done, upon the effects pro-
duced in foreign lands by report Of this House,
so famous and notorious last winter, ask you
what has been the countcractng effect of this very
respondence The effect has been to calm the irritation
Of the British Government, reused it has been to
Indignation and resentment by that nhammatory re-
port This effect is apparent in the tone Of Mr..
Pcel's speech to his constituents at Tamworh
have doubt that MIR. Fox represented the thing in
that light, and from the complexion Of these commu-
ncatons he represented that there was no spirit of
hostility to Great Britain the part of this Govern
ment say is of the best papers that was
written and the effect of II upon the nation is 10 be one
Of glory and not Of rcproach. Sir it has fully au-
thcnticated the saying of the gentleman from New
Hampshire, that you will not have war with Eng
land while the present Secretary Of State shall re-
main in office. believe il. | thank God il is so
and your constituents, and my constituents, and the
constituents Of tho gentleman from New Hampshire
those of the gentleman from New York who Of
fered this revolutionary, sir the constituents ofevery
member of this House, have great to raise
their hands in joy and gratitude to the God of Mercy
that il and in supplcation that may be still
for, were totherwise--
The child may rue that is unborn
The sentence of that day
As to this first resolution-[here several members
and addressed the Speaker, who gave notice to
Mr.. ADAMS that the hour had expired. Several mem
bers moved that he should have leave to proceed
other voices were heard" Move to lay i, on the ia
BILE. Mr.. ADAMS said, for my own par, should
prefer 70 take direct vote upon the resolution, and
record my name upon the Journal, "No" Several
voices, Move the previous question: Mr. ADAMS
Upon the whole, to lay the table is miIder mega
tive and SO, il no member wishes 10 reply to me-
move to lay the resolution on the table.
II was laid on the table by yeas and nays-1O9 to 10