The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-10-04

Il perform towards others. In the first place,
have great pleasure in bearing testimony TO the intel
lipent attention manifested by the President of the
United States, and to his sincere and anxious desire
in the whole negotiation to bring il to successful ter
minaion and II gives me great pleasure to ackDow-
ledge now, as shall ever acknowledge while live,
nv obligations 10 him for the unbroken and steady
confidence which nc reposed in me. The negotlator
for the United States il troubled, and Jealous and
dstrusiul would indeed have been an unequal match
for the cool and sagacious representative OF one OF
The most powerful and proud nations of Europe
possessing to the fullest extent the confidence OF ms
Government and the authority To bind II, In concerns
of the most vital interest," TO any course in which he
might agree.
shall never forget the franknees and generosity
with which, after long interview, m which sugges-
tons exchanged on both sides with the utmost
freedom and liberalily, ! was told that upon my
shoulders, and in my discretion, rested the ultimate
decision OF every question at issue between the two
nations.
desire, also, TO acknowledge, as do with hearty
cordality, the aid received from the other gentle
men concerned in the administration OF the govern
ment | may here say what have sand In more Of
fetal manner that the highest respect is due to the
Commissioners of Maine and Massachusetts for their
cordial co-operatontbeir faithful adherence to The
interests of their own States, mingled with Just
consideration OF what was due To the General Gov
eminent.
hope shall not trespass the propretes OF the
occasion, if speak of the happy selection made by
the government OF England, in the servant on tins
mission OF peace who, though steadily pursuing the
interests OF his own government yet possesses large
and liberal views with strength and weight OF cha
racter whcl would cause everything to which he
should agree receive the approbaon-o of the whole
people intimately acquainted with the relations OF
the two countries, and always acting WIN strict in-
tegrty towards the people and the Government oil The
United States. am sure he will find his work re-
ceyed with commentator 1T home, and II peace
shouid he made Wilh Tor having been
instrumental in making an arrangement satisfactory
and desirable, not only to our party but to all parties
for making an arrangement honorable to both ma
tions all just arrangements are and which he
may well consider the greatest labor OF his life.
l hardly know whether it is proper on this occasion
to advert to the correspondence but when 1t shall
appear with the discussion of the other important
questionsfor the ccason was sought there to treat
upon subjects OF great moment and concentration
these shall be before the public and shall be calmly
and thoroughly lead shall venture to trust their
judgment concerning them.
There yet remain, gentlemen, in our foreign rela-
tions, several subjects of considerable interest yet UNI
settled with England In the first pluce, there is the
important subject Of our colonial trade the trade
of the United States with the Northern Bri ish pro-
vnccs and the Vest Indies 1t became my duty TO
look into this subjectto keep the run of IT, as we
say from 1889 TO the present time. was coDstrain-
ed to believe, indeed know, that the operation OF
that arrangement is untavorable to the shipping and
England. 1t is important subject for the exer-
tons OF diplomacy or for the consideration of Con-
gress--one or both. Congress called upon the De-
partment in which ] am for insormaton, and re-
spectacle Committee ofthe House If Representatives
presented report upon the subject, Ii is which
hold 10 be OF vital importance to our navigation and
to the interests of the nation
Then there Is the question, somewhat more remote
but which it will be well enough 10 settle | mean
the Oregon boundary towards the Pacific and the
| 49, ~ a,
pute should be settled before the country itself is
peopled on the side the other. The relations
of other States require attention, and many of our
citizens have claims of ndemnit. which require pro-
secuton. Ii becomes the Government Of the United
States, by calm and dgnifed, but decisive and Wig
orous tone, 10 administer her foreign affairs as &c
ensure a Just arrangement in these respects.
Gentlemen, am here to-day as guest was
invited by number of highly valued friends to par
take with them Of public dinner for the purpose a
giving them op orunity to pass the usual greeting
OF frIen Is now met after some absence, to pay their
respects 10 my public services, and to tender thei
congratulations at the result of the negotiations just
| concluded. 1t was at my instance that this festival
from dinner, took its present form and instead OF
meeting you at the festive board choose for obyi-
Gus reason this public manner; still, gentlemen, It's
general character is preserved, and l am here as
guest / am here to receive your salutaiions and
| greetings particular subjects. | am not here I'M
der an invitation or expectation that should adj
uTtsS INC WHO nave DeeH pltdstu HtSS'
me here on topics not suggested by yourselves. II
would not be6t the occasion, therefore, in my opn-
ion that should the occasion for any such pur-
pose, because, although have desire at some time
MOI far distant hope, to make my sentiments known
upon the political occurrence Of the country general
y, and the political state of the nation and of parties
al the present moment yet know well that it would
| be improper for me to do so now, because | know
well that the gentlemen who have written to invite
me here on this occasion, entertain, many of them,
opinions different from myself and they might prop
erly say, We here to greet Mr. Webster, and
to extend our Congratulations on those matters in
which agree ; and we did not come with the ex-
pectation that he would use the opportunity to dis
cuss questions OH VIII oh we differ.
On that account, and for that reason, shall for
bear thinking it my duty SO TO do; and abstalnlng
from using this occasion for the purpose of express
sing my own opinions, and of stating how far agree
with friends with whom have acted for years, and
how far am not reluctantly restrained to differ from
them, | look forward to future occasion. If such
should be offered, for the opportunity of fulfilling
this promise.
| would say one thing, gentlemen because it has
been alluded to, The Mayor has been kind enough
to say that in his judgment, having discharged the
duties Of the Department in which have acted IN a
manner satisfactory to the country might safely be
left TO take care of my honor and reputation.
suppose he meant TO say that in the present distract
ed state OF the Wing party aud IN the contrariey OF
opinion which prevails, Of there be contrarieN OF
opnion,) as to the course proper TO be pursued 10y
me-the decision of that question might be left to
| myself AN EXACTLY OF HIS OPINION. Loud and
repeated cheers) am quite OF this opinion, gentle
men, that in question touching my own honor or
the consistency Of my character, rs am TO bear
all the consequences of the decision, ] might deal
better be trusted to make it, Aud though, gentle
men, values more highly than ] do the adj
vice of his friends yet on question so important
and of such nature this, like TO choose the
friends to advise and on this whole subject, with
this reference shall leave you JUST As ENLIGHTENED
AS FOUND | give no pledge make no init
nations one way or the other; and will be as alb
so utely free, when this day closes TO act as duty
calls, as | was when the dawn first broke Vi on me.
| repeated chcers)
Gentlemen, there is delicacy in this case, because
there is always deicacy in speaking of differences
! with iriends--but there is embarrassmcnt--No