Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1842-10-07

principle of the age.
Asthe necotiation and the correspondence
had not yet been authoritatively published, il
MIGHT not be delicate for him to speak of it
with any particularly but he felt at liberty
to express his opinion, Notwithstanding his
connection with it, that it would be found
that the honor and peace of the country had
been preserved with the greatest nation Of
the earth But he could not pass from this
topic without bearing testimony to the sin
cere and anxious desire manifested by the
President (Mr. Tyler) throughout the whole
negotiation. He acknowledged with deep i'm.
pressiveness, his obligations to the President
for the steady and unbroken confidence re-
posed in him--infntely beyond his (Mi
WIS., confidence in himself Great musi
ever be the weakness of the negolator who
is mistrusted by his own government but
he had had no such cause OF weakness. Al
ter an interchange of ideas and views upon
the matters in dispute, the President had
told him that the ultimate decision rested
with him (Mr W.
Mr. Webster said that it gave him great
satisfaction to be able to bear witness to the
cordial cooperation of the commissioners
of Massachusetts and Maine and to their
distinguished aid aud assistance he had borne
testimony in official communications in the
proper quarter heretofore. Again-happy
had been the selection made by Great Britain
of person to represent her in the negolla-
ton--a thorough Engllshman, but sagaclous,
upright, and enlightened-no doubt could
be entertained that whatever he, in the full
exercise of his power and judgment, should
agree TO, would be ratified by his government.
But, while unswervingly faithful TO his own
government, that distinguished parsonage
(Lord Ashburton) had ever acted and spok-
Ell lavorably TO the people and government
of the United States. Further OF this point,
Mr.. w. said that the correspondence, when
published, would best explain the negotiation;
and he was prepared to await quite calmly
and firmly upon the judgment of his coun-
try. when that publication shall have taken
place.
But, said Mr.. w, there were yet some
unsettled questions, the chief of which was
the state of our colonial trade with England,
more commonly called the West India trade.
This he had continually looked into since
He had always been of opinion that the ar
rangement was unfavorable to New England.
Since his entrance upon the duties of the
office which he Ro,c held he had been in
formed both by private advices from mer-
chants, and by committees of Congress, and
to the matter he intended TO give his atten-
ton. Another question was the boundary
west of the Rocky Mountains. Towards
Mexico, and other states with which there
remained unadjusted questions, calm aud
digniGed course had been adopted, caIculat-
ed to insure prompt justice to such of our
citizens as had claims outstanding.
Gentlemen, | am here to-day as a guest.
was invited by number of highly valued
personal aud political friends to partake of
a public dinner, for the purpose of giving
them an opportunity to pass the usual greet
ing between friends, after somewhat ex-
tended absence, and to exchange with me
upon the result of the treaty
negotiations. Ii was at my instance. gentle
men, that the assembly took the form it did
and instead of seeing them at the festive
board, | now meet them aud you in this
place. Still, the character of the occasion
is the same; | am still here as guest, to
receive your greeting upon particular sub
ects. am not here with any invitation to
address you, or expectation that ! should adj
iress you upon topics not suggested by pre-
iious observations. 1t would not be be6t-
ing the occasion, in my opinion, we're to
Use the occasion for any such purpose; be-
cause, though | desire, and at no very dis
ant day hope, TO have an opportunity of
making my sentiments upon general polit-
;al matters, and the state ofthe country and
If parties in the country, l know very well
hat | should be trespasslng upon the bounds
If politeness, were | to do SO now. Some
gentlemen who have invited me here, enter
ain opinions diiioront from mine, and they
would very properly say, 1--WE met Mr. Web
ter to exchange congratulations with him
ipon matters on which we all agree. and not
or the purpose of his using the occasion to
'peak Of things on which we do not agree"
IN that account have good reason to forbear
rom stating how far | am enabled to agree
With friends of many years standing, and
now far | am reluctantly constrained to diff
er from their views, and for leaving to
some filter occasion the iulfiment of my
intention in this respect
There is one thing, however, on which |
will speak. The Mayor has been kind
enough to say that in his judgement-haying
performed my duties to the satisfaction of
The country, it might be left to me to take
care of my own honor and reputation.-
lCheers) suppose he meant to say that
in the present distraction of the Wing party
and the contrarioty of opinion-if such con-
Irariety there be-as to the course which
it is proper for me to pursue, the decision
OF that question might very well be left to
myself Gentlemen, am exactly of his
meaning daughter and Cheering. | am
quite Of opinion, gentlemen, that as to the
question touching my own honor, and the