The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-01-09
AN INTERESTING DEBATE.


For some days past a re.olu,ion has been pend
ing in the Senate Of very grave character,
aud demanding profound consideration Of the
subject embraced, (caliisg for Instructions Civ
en- TO our Minister Il London in relation 10 The
Oregon tenitory,) before It's adoption. The
mover OF the resolution was Mr.. Allen, Of Ohio,
who, with due respect, we must say, has not
the reputation of being deeply learned IN dipio-
matte history. Yet he has been the cause Of
calling forth the learning Of others II will be
seen that Messrs. Archer, Morehead, Berrien,
Rives, Critenden, King, Benton, &c. participated
in the debate. II will also be observed tina, Mr..
Benton made very imporlan, discovery.
Mr. ARCHER said, when the subject was before
the Senate the other day, he had stated that he was
not unwilling that this resolution should receive the
sanction OF the body; though al the same time he did
in the least doubt the propriety OF the suggestion
by the Senator from Kentucky. (Mr- Morehssd,)
that il improper to interfere, by such call, with
pending negotiation. lie doubted whether that OBJ
lection would apply TO the state Of the negotiation
respecting the Oregon territory. He thought then.
that there negotiation existing. lie would
now state to the Senate, upon information which he
had obtained as chairman Of the Committee on Fo-
on this subject al the Court Of st. James. II was
proposition 10 treat there. Instructions were ac-
cordingly sent but the British Government preferred
to treat here, aud made proposition accordingly, 70
which our Government had 10 objection. Minis
ter was expected 10 be here few weeks, even IL
he was not already on his way, who was specially
charged with this subject and other subjects at issue
between the two Governments. lie would not UNI
der these circumstances, treat the body with such
dsrespect to suppose that they would adopt Ies-
oution OF this character. II would obstruct all ne
COLLATION..
The whole tenor Of the remarks of the gentleman
frop Ohio was, that we should entertain negota-
ton on the subject. Was Great Britain, who for
thirty years had asserted, like ourselves, claim to
this territory 10 be told, when she offers TO send
Minister here to settle this queso by negotiation,
in our own capitsi-whati That we will not listen
to her at all that we will enter into no negotiation
with her that we will take exclusive possession Of
the territory at all hazards That was the language
that the Senator from Ohio wished TO hold and had,
in substance put in this resolution, and in his accom-
panying remarks.
1 state, (said Mr.. ARCHERY from information de-
rived from the Executive, that we on the eve OF
commencing negotiation here at home and
we to take the ground here that we have undispu
ted right to the whole territory and will not nego-
tiate upon it, We have made two conventions with
Great Britain on the subject, both of them admitting
Of doubt as to the title to the territory and is Great
Britain, on the eve OF another negotiation, to be told
that the Western people, whose chivary the Senator
from Ohio represents, will have negotiation, even
though war should be the result--a war, too that
will not reach nor injure them in the interior, but
which will devastae our seaboard' Are we to in
form them, at the commencement of a negotiation,
that It is our purpose to obstruct all negotiation,
though it may involve us Immediately in war; He
would not 60 for such a resolution. He would not
treat the Senate with such dsrespect 10 suppose
that they would entertain the proposition.
Mr. ALLEN sad that, 10 regard to the occurrence
of war; he had not stated his opinions, but had
alluded to the declarations of eminent persons, which
were made Tor the purpose Of stopping our legislation
here. The threat Of war held over US TO pre-
vent US from acting on the subject He did not him
self believe any war would be the result Of our
ton on this subject. lie would ask the Senator why
another negotiation was pressed upon after
the treaty Of the 9th August 1912, Was Great
Britain acting upon the principle Of making quar-
rel at time and each time tearing of piece of our
territory Each time heard homilies about the
benefits OF peace, and ugubrious statements Of the
horrors of war, which might have the effect TO re-
conci.e US to the loss Of territory means Of
preserving peace.
Suppose, the chairman OF the Committee on
Foreign Relations had stated, thai nothing has been
done, or nothing OF any importance il will clear away
all distractions TO our legislation The annual
sage states that Constructions have been given" &c
Something must have interviewed between these in
structions and the proposals made TO this Govern
ment and That Is what we wish to be acquainted
with. There could be reason in the world given
why this resolution should not be trusted the dis
cretion OF the President II was appeal 10 his
own Judgment and sense of propfiety.
MIR, WOODBURY. called for the reading Of the
resolution again. Mr.. w had called for The reading
because he thought gentlemen oyer-sensitye as to It's
effect and character. Looking at it without regard
TO the Executive bearing OF II, ii is certainly free
from Objection Ii was drawn in pursuance of usage
and practice IN the legislative Intercourse between
the President and this body. precautionary clause
was introduced, so as TO prevent any evil from fol-
loving The call for information. II any evil was
likely TO cusuc the President could withhold the in
formation but, If not il could readily be seen that
he object OF obtaining the instructi, ms highly
important to their legislation the bill before them.
II The call was with a view solely 10 the pending ne
gotiation, then could not call for the information
except IN our Executive capac y lie himself would
not vote for the resolution II it called for information
for any other than legislative purposes IL il was re-
fused, VIC might then call for IT IN Executive scs,ion
lie believed that the Senate TO be consulted in
regard to treaties.
Mr.. MOREHEAD said, when this question was
before the Senate the other day, struck him that if
a negotiation was pending, there might be some i'm
Proprely in the adoption of tins resolution aud inter
ieripg with the negotiation by calling for iniorma
ton AS TO It's condition. lie entertained great doubts
whether IT would be useful proper thus to arrest
pending negotiation.
But the question had now assumed different aspect,
IN consequence Of the information laid before the Sen
ate by The Senator from Virginia, MIR. Arcber) We
were now told that arrangements were made to trans
fer the negotiation to the capital Of the United States
That being the state OF the case il became us now
not so TO legslae as TO imply any opposition to the
negotiation TO be carried on at this place and
there was no necessity for the adoption Of the resou
hon IN this state Of the natter and there nothing
that the resolution could apply warrant it, there
had been no negotiation as yet Why should we
sdop. i,-irom what views Of policy Il the nego
tation had been broken of, Mr. Archer here said, il
had never been commenced, there could be no nfor-
nation that II was desirable TO obtain. In one as
pect OF tho question there necessity for call
ing on the President for instructions that had been
wholly inethcscious and, in another, il would be
improper thus to express any dstrust Of the ability
fidelity Of the President in the management OF the