Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-10-04

utmost freedom ana hbcsaltys was TOO tnet UPON
my shoulders, and in my DISCRETION, rested the uu
decision Of every question at issue between the
| two nations.
desire also to acknowledge, ss do with hearty
cordially tie aid received from tho other gentle
men concerned in the administration Of the Govern
| menL may here say what I have said in more
official manner. that the highest respect Is due to
the Commissioners Of Maine and Massachusetts Tor
their cordial CO operation-ther faithful adhefenee
to the interests OF their States. mingled WITH
lust cons 6eralon OF what was due to the General
Government And hope shall notuespass on
the properties OF the occasion, speak Of the hap
ny selection made by the government OF England,
in the servant on this mission OF peace;-who tho
steadily pursuing the interests of his own govern-
ment vet possesses large and liberal views with
strength and weight OF character which would
every thing 10 which he should agree TO receive the
appreciation Of the whole people;-intiuately &C
quainted with the relations Of tho two countries, and
always acting with strict integrity towards the PEG.
pie and the government OF the u. 5. am sure he
will find his work received with commendeion at
home, and il peace should be made, with congtatu
lations for having been instrumental IN making an
arrangement satisfactory and desirable. not only 10
party but to all paTties-for making arranse>
ment honorable TO 10th nations, as all just arrange.
ments are-and which he may we'll consider the
greatest labor of his life
hardly know whether il is proper on this occa-
sion to advert to the correspondence; but when it
shall appear, with the discussion Of the other mpor
tant quesiious-for the occasion was sought there
TO treat upon subjects OF great moment and concern
when these shall be before the public, and shall
be calmly aud thoroughly read, l shall venture to
trust their judgment concerning them.
There yet remain, gentlemen, in our foreign re-
latons several subjects of considerable interest yet
unsettled with England. In the first place there is
the important subject OF our colonial trade. or the
trade OF the United States with the Northcrn Bri-
tsh provinces and the West Indies. IL became my
duty to look into this subject-to keep the run OF It,
as we say, from 1889 TO the present time. was
Ill. al a.
ration OF that arrangement is aufavotebe to the
shipping and navigation of the United States espe
eially OF New England.
Ii is en- important subject for the exertons OF
diplomacy or for the consideration OF Congress
one both. Congress called upon the depa rtme Mt
in which l am for information, and a respectable
Committee Of the House of Representatives pre-
sented report upon the subject. Ii is one which |
hold TO be OF vital Importance 10 our navigation and
to the interests of the nation.
Then there is the question, some hat more re-
mote, but which it will be we'll enough TO settle;
mean the Oregon Boundary towards the Pacific
and the Rocky Mountains. There arc reasons why
this dispute should be settled before the country it.
Sc ( is peoplcd on the one side or the other. The
relations OF other States require nttentiou and many
OF our citizens have claims of indemnity which &c
qurc prosecution. Ii becomes the Government Of
the United States, by a calm and dignhed but deci
sive and vigorous tone TO administer her foreign
affairs so as 10 ensure just arrangement in these
respects.
Gentlemen, am here TO day as guest. was
invited by n number OF highly valued friends TO
partake with them Of public dinner for the pur
pose of giving them an opportunity 10 pass the
usual greeting OF friends after absence
TO pay their respects to my public services and TO
tender their congratulations at the result of the
CoiIaiions just concluded. II was at my instance
that this festival, from a dinner, took its present
form; and instead OF meeting you at the festive
board choose, for obvious reason this public man
ner. Still, gentlemen, its general character is pre-,
served, and am here as guest. i am here IL &c
celve your salutaiions and greetings on particular
subjects. am not here under an invitation, or an
expectation, that should address the gentlemen
who have been pleased to meet me here on topics
not suggested by yourselves. Ii would not befit the
occasion, therefore, in my opinion, that sould use
the occasion for any such purpose, because although
! have desire at some time not Tar distant hope,
TO make my sentiments known upon tho political
occurrence Of the country generally, and the poli,i-
cal state OF the nation and Of parties the present
moment, yet know well that 1t would be improper
for me 10 DO so now, because | know well ihat the
gentlemen who have written TO invite me here on
this occasion, entertain, many of them, opinions
different from myself; and they might properly say,
I'VE came here 20 greet Mr. Webster, and 10 extend
oar congratulations, on those matters in which we
agree; and we did not come with the expectation
that he would use the opportunity 10 discuss cues.
tons on which differ.
On that account, and for that reason, shall for
bear, thinking it my duty so to do; and abstaining
s.
lnc my own opinions and OF stating how far | agree
with friends with whom have acted for years and
how far | am most reluctantly constrained 10 differ
ffom them, look forward TO 4 future OCCASION il
such should be Offered for the opportunity Of ful-
filling this promise.
will say one thing. gentlemen, because it has
been alluded to. The Mayor has been kind enough
to say that in his judgement, having discharged
the duties Of the Department in which have acted
IN a manner satisfactory to the country | might
gatH " Lao left In tai of
reputation. | suppose he meant to cay that in the
present distracted state nf the Wing purity and in
The contrarIety OF opinion which prevails (f there
be conirareiy Of opinion) to the course proper
to be pursued by me-the decision Of that question
might be left 10 myself. an exactly Of his opini1n
Loud and repeated cheers.) i quite of this !
opinion, gentlemen, that, ia question touching my |
own honor or the consistency OF my own character
as am TO bear alI the consequences Of the |
d2cslon might deal better be trusted TO make |
II. And though, gentlemen, man values more
nightly thlnl DO the advice of my friends, vet On
question so important and Of such a nature as this
Ike 10 choose The friends TO advise me; and this
whole subject, with thsreference shall leave YOU
just as enlightened as | found you. | give no |
pledge; ! make no in.imation, one way or the !
otheri and will be as absolutely free, when this |
day closes, TO &C, as duty calls, as WAS when it's
dawn trsi broke upon me. repeated cheers)
Gentlemen there is a deicscy IN this case-bs-
cause there 10 always deiieacy in speaking Of DIFF.
erences with friends; but there no emblrra sment
NO embarrassment. 1t see the path of duty
clear before me- trust have that within me which
will enable me to pursue II, and throw ell cmbar.
rassments TO the wInds. A pub ic man has no occa-
sion 10 be embarrassed, If he is honest. He him /
sef-his own feelings are nothing, his country and |
bis pnblic dI'y are everything, and he should sink
whatever is personal 10 himself in far higher consi-
are the characteristics that mark /
~ rs great or as LITTLE men.
There were many persons in De-, 1871, who |
lound great oblectons 10 my remaining in the Pre-
sidsnrs cabinet. You all know, gentlemen tina, 90 !
years Of honest, DO not say Of efficient service Of
not altogether undsiingushed service in the Wing |
cause, had scarcely prepared me for an ou,pouring
such seldom proceeds from Wing friends against
Wings, or any body. | ON little hard TO be !
colxed and great deal harder to be driven |
chose TO act from my own judgment; and thinking
that was IN a post where could render service |
10 my country, s,aid there; and leave you this |
day, and leave my country 10 say, whether this
country would have been better off il | had gone /
also.
have no attachment to Office. I have tasted IFS /
sweets, but have also tasted its bitterness nm /
contenti and acknowledge am more anxious to .
preserve the good have than 10 run risks for new
acquisitions in public life. | suppose ought 10 1
pause here. ! suppose ought no, TO aude, and 1 /
will not, 10 any thing further that merely concerns
myself
Gentlemen, a very respectable Convention, |
most respectable Convention, assembled here some |
ten days ngo, and passed some important resolu
lions. There is no set Of gentlemen 50 far a. I
know, for whom ! enterlain more respect and rs
gard. They are Wings; but they ore no better
Wings than am. Tnoy have served their coun-
try IN The Wing rauks-and so have l. quite as
Loo ...U