The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-04-30
PIcKENs' REPORT.

ant and grave points of difference between |
the United States and Great Britain, such the
Boundary Question the revival Of the right Of
search and certain other matters Of grave national inn
portance to suspend the negotiations that
pending about the Caroline and to direct all eyes
to Alexander MLeod prisoner at Lockpor, |
about to be tried fol Murder and Arson and perhaps
TO be hanged We say all else is forgotten, and this
only seen.
The unfortunate character Of his Report
l. II was perhaps unfortunate that any action of
Congress, whatever, should have been had upon this
subject so long il business pending as a SUBJ
ect of negotiation between national Executive and
the British Government II is difficult 10 see that it |
not interference of one branch ofthe Govern
ment with the appropriate offices Of another embar
its operations Certainly it has produced that eff
feet and entirely changed the aspects of the affair as
negotiation between the two Governments The |
Executive Of the United States had not done with it,
had submitted part of the business to Congress,
and would not have done at this time, but call
Of the House Of Representatives 1t would to
be indelcate therefore, if not improper for the House
to do any thing that should compromt embarrass
the Executive, and much SO, pass by the Exc
cutive and extend its action far fall directly
on the third great party.
But 2. The report itself unfortunate in its
tone. Was it official as relating to the British Gov
ernment7 No. II was So however, in relation to
the House, and mediatey and remotely its authority
had bearing foreign power The want of re-
spect in the authorities Of country towards those
Of another, is not only offensive, but undgnifed,
and whatever may be the state Of feeling between the
parties, il is not commendable Language which
men Of high honor would tolerate in private inter-
course, would be much unsuitable between the
high functonaries of two great nations.
3. II was unfortunate because it travelled out of
the record The business committed was the cores
pondcnce between Mr.. Fox and Mr. Forsyth about
| Mcleod chiefly, and the Caroline by implication
and nothing But in the Report we have all
the other points Of difference between the two coun-
tries brought up-and that is not ALL Great Britain
has homly read to her her ambition that knows
no bounds and her evil practices of circumventing
other nations The spectacle Of her unrvaled mill
tary and commercial Importance is paraded, the first
as being equal TO million of men under arms, and
the last being "the reservoir Of the wealth Of
ons"-somewhat overrated we think, in both these
particulars, and not little humiliating ourselves.
We told where Great Britain lies geographical
ly-a very important piece Of information--and that
'her internal resources skill labor, and machinery
with her capital, beyond calculation" We are
made acquainted with the fact that Cheat Britain has
converted the rock of Gibraltar into military post
instead of raising cotton upon tia very suspicious
| circumstance She is also responsible for having
something to do with Malta the Ionian islands,
and recently with ST. Jean D'Acre. She traver-
scs the Mediterranean and the Levant She is
also acquainted with ST. Helena and the Cape of Good
Hope. Nay, farther There is Bombay and Calcut
ia. The British Indies, East and West, are spread
out before in this Report, and China too Fak-
land Island is introduced, and forced to visit
Cape Horn Halifax, Trinidad, Bermuda, and the
Caribbean sea, arrest attention. Moreover: /" 1t
remains to be what effects steam power is to have
Indeed, according this report there is end to the
impertnences Of this ambitious and all absorbing
Power, A million of under arms, and behold
| the extent of her marne
One would think it more prudent not to insult such
power, without preparation to encounter her
irowns Her importance is doubtless represented in
this document, to her entire satisfaction. All
this may be very true and very proper when said in
the proper place and at the proper time But for the
highest functionares of nation to speak thus to
those of another, while attempting to negotiate the
|
4. This Report rather bellgelant Mr. Gran
ger said, that he considered this report if acted
upon and adopted by the House. as approaching very
nearly In its consequences to declaration of war;
the British Government should desire so to consider
it." Mr. Adams said she confessed that he entertained
small degree of anxiety that would inevitably
come to that result" Mr. Fillmore said "If this
report calculated to stir up war feeling without
a corresponding preparation to meet the conscqu
he for one was opposed to it. He regarded il rather
as the of mailman precpitae the country into
war, before it prepared for it, than the act of
statesman"
5. This Report unfortunate, as being of
party character, and as wanting that unanimity with
which such an important and eyentiul action ought to
be supported The vote in the Committee on Foreign
Relations was against 3. The votes in the House
in its several stages, follows: ITO against III
100 against 10; and l03 against e. II was evident
ly party vote, which shows that it was regarded as
originating in some party design. Mr.. Adams said,
he wished that the Report should be recommted.
and that all those parts which related to the general
policy of Great Britain, and her ambitious charac-
ter and power, might be lcn out" mot because they
true but because they were dscourteous and
irrelevant, and equally unbecoming the dignity and
sefrespect of the body. They were also calculated
rather TO irraic the party with whom we have to
do, than TO bring them to equitable terms. " II we
go to war with Great Britain, added Mr.. Adams, q"
should be united people"
g. This Report was calculated to increase the e1-
| element the frontiers which was already greater
Than could be desired, and to add fuel to the war
flame both in this country and in Grea, Britain We