The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-06-12

there. There Were many practical reasons in favor
OF ths frequent changes Of the positions of command
IN one command, officer was in danger Of ceasng
10 De an ohcer, and becoming politician. He de-
MED also the Senator's assertion that General Ar
buckle had been dsgraced by the removal. He was
nonoraS'y and pleasantly situated now, and no reaec
on had been cast upon his character. The precedent
established by the adoption of such a resolution,
would tend to the speedy ianformaton of the Senate
into Court OF Inquiry, and their Chamber into an
Adjutant Generals Office.
Mr. ARCHER opposed the resolution. He OBJ
ected TO the unconstitutional encroachments Of the
Legislative branches upon duties expressly reserved TO
another department Of Government. This Office OF
military command was one of the most transcendenta
rights of the Executive Department and should not
be attacked by the Legislature except in of
doubted great wrong, calling for correction and reme-
dy.
Mr.. SEWER replied to Mr.. Bayard, Mr.. Preston and
Others. He found fault with an expression in Mr..
Bayard's speech He understood him to characterize
the resolution as "impertinent" (Mr. b. disclaimed
the term) Then il charged upon him as some
thing like impertinent curiosity (Mr B. explain
ed that he had referred to idle curiosity one ofthe
possible motives of such acal) Mr.. Sewer expressed
himself satisfied He then very warmly defended his
resolution with characteristic energy Of tone and
ner. He observed that there always was party in
this country in favor of the concentration of power in
the Executive. He knew that this would be acted on
party measure. II would be rejected by the Wing
majority Mr. Prestons resolution, calling for SINH
lar information as to the return Of the Mediterranean
squadron would pass by the majority. (Some Of
the Wings said " noP Very well said Mr.. g, 1--WE
shall see. Nose peerons, as Tom Richie says
Mr.. BENTON spoke for some minutes, insisting
that Gen Arbucke had teen disgraced by being thus
transferred.
Mr.. PRESTON explained the difference between
his resolution and Mr.. SEvIER's. The President had
issued order to recall the Mediterranean squadron;
and was precisely for that that he had made
the call. Ii the President should reply to them that
squadron did return by his ORDERS that would be
sufficient answer Mr.. SIS resolution, on the other
hand called for the reasons Of an order given He re-
newed the motion to lay on the table.
The resolution was laid on the table.
YEAS-Messrs, Archer Barrow, Bates Bayard,
Berricn, Choate, Clay, of Kentucky Clayton, Dixon,
Evans, Graham, Henderson, Huntington, Mangum,
Merrick, Miller, Phelps Porter Prentss, Preston,
White, and Woodhridge-27 ".'
NAYS-Messrs. Allen, Benton, Calhoun, Clay, of
Ala, Fulton, King, McRoberts, Nicholson Pierce
Sewer, Smith, Of Conn, Sturgeon, Tsppan, Walker
Woodbury., Wright, and Young-l7 ~ ii,
Mr., RIVES motion to refer to the Committee on
Foreign Relations that part Of the Message which al
udes to our negotiations with Britain was then taken
up as the general orders.
Mr. DIXON asked to postpone for short time
with view to act on the resoution-of which he
had previously given noce-to elect printer of the
Senate. Objection was made, and Mr. CHoATE took
the floor being entitled to it at the adjournment yes
terlay.
i Mr.. CHOATE spoke for an hour and half on
the correspondence between Mr. Fox and Mr. Web,
ser replying with great force and eloquence to Mr.
Buchanan's commentary of yesterday. He gave
critical analysis of the whole argumentshowed the
false position in which the late administration had pa
ced our government in relation TO the affair of Nc
Leod and distinctly proved that individual to be in the
condition of soldier sailor Of the British Govern
men bound at the peril Of his life to obey their
mands
The great strength of his argument, however, lay
his mastery exposition of the character of the
expedition against the Caroline. He demonstrated it
to be an of war; against the United States in the
srictest analogy with the similar proceedings of the
1905 and against the Spanish treasure ships in 1905;
both these nations being at the periods of these out
/ RACES. I........E "....e
It is impossible 10 give, tonight even abstract Of
the argument, though very full notes were taken The
manner to evnce the most profound knowledge Of Thu
Vatte and Grotius showed that his learning had pene
trated to the sources and revised the history Of tina
wide subject For deep learning and close reasoning
intermingled with involuntary flashes of the mos
moving eloquence this remarkable speech is withou
parallel even in that illustrious field Of oratory
full report, soon forthcoming will justify this
MUM, and-what is more-prove Mr.. CHoATE worth
to fill the Senatorial Chair of Webster. ~.
Mr.. CALHOUN followed with an attack on Nj
, Webster; and Mr.. HUNTINGTON then took the fool
making animated speech in reply, which lasted til
the adjournment "