Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-12-20

70 the whole OF the Oregon territory.
Mr. CASS That is il.
Mr. CRITTENDEN. Well, after the speech of the SEN
ator Of yesterday, that is something Of retracon.
Mr. CASS. do not retract single word viii repeat
what said Mr.. c. here read from copy of the report Of
bis speech, prepared by himself for the Unon and read
Mr.. CRITTENDEN. Now am totally at loss Does
the gentleman that il give the notice. and he thinks
we ought to give i, war will necessarily follow
Mr.. CASS. II, at the expiration of the year. England
persists in her claim say what she will do but be-
lieve she will persist
MI. CRITFENDEN. The Senator then at length, in
stead Of announcing inevitable inference makes his infer
ence contingent upon the happening of other evens-upon
the concurrence OF other circumstances His conclusion
be complete, will require various other facts such that
Great Britain will at the end Of the year, take hostile posses
sion OF the whole territory might be very fairly inferred
that such the part of Great Britain would lead to
and if the Senator desired make out case some
what stronger let him suppose that Great should land
her forces and take possession of the city of Charleston
Norfolk, Baltimore In short the meaning Of the Senator
after all, that would inevitably take place. provided
the grounds for hereafter supplied He had first
feared that the made by the Senator would
have the effect create false alarm and this effect he
thought the likely to be produced by Of the high
character and standing Of the Senator from his personal
and private character and standing alone but from the
and confidential relations which he supposed
the present Chief Magistrate of the nation II would be
very naturally supposed that declarations Of
character would not be made without knowledge of the
timens entertained by the Administration. Taking all these
considerations together he somewhat under the impress
that the authority given apparently in earnest must be
set down evidence that there was TO be
Sir, Continued Mr.. CRITrENDES) do not myself be-
leye speaking with all due Difference for the distinguished
Senator, that to have have been able
realize to my mind that war could possibly grow up be-
such nations the United States and Great Br
tan out Of such Is possible that settle
the boundary of distant strip of territory of great value
either, without war; Cannot the diplomacy Of the country
settle question of this sort, without mbrung the hands of
the two nations in blood What is their wisdom worth
what is their diplomacy worhf this be the case Sir, it
ought be settled it is dscredit to the two Governments
that is settled There question of nsulted honor,
question Of national character involved This is but
question regarding portion of distant frozen barren
toy, that has been in dispute for thirty forty years have
confidence in the wisdom, humanity and intelligence Of
the Governments than TO suppose possible that out of
such arise And while say this, will add
that perfectly agree with the sentiments expressed by the
Senator from North Carolina, and the Senator from Virginia,
yesterday, that if should come, believe shall the
whole Union rally round the national standard united
gle man. Before the actual Of may battle
among ourselves but when comes there neutral ground
stand upon But who is there that desires None
trust All say it to be deprecated and avoided and trust
that every thing will be done part that honor and poll
cy permits to be done to avoid it.
But called upon to give notice Of the termna
ton Of the joint occupancy and told that connected
with other circumstances be the consequence of that
notice. Will it be so think it ought not and will not,
unless commit very egregous bunder. But if the
Senator says in the path which leads to let
march slowly and firmly upon it, Let be firm, sefpos
sessed and slow We shall be the less formidable
enemies while advancing thus than if pursue the path
reckless of all consequences wheesoever it may lead
Let us then, if we to give the notice. and think
not well avoid it. instead of giving the precise notice indicated
let give notice to take effect two years hence will
the less indicate mness and determination Let
like spiteuI landlord giving notice tenant and
limiting tenant to the shortest possible me but give time
for reflection and negotiation We ought not TO be hasty
careless of giving insult to any people, much less to those
whom by character and by lineage resemble nearly
The question Of settlement Of matters Of interest may be
difficult enough, but insult is much more difficult of settle
between two high-spired nations Let us, them
with firm and steady step, cautiously, boldly and at the
time manestng willingness to amcabe ad
justment Of DIFFICULTIES in preference to
Mr. WEBSTER said he did not propose to offer any op
position whatever to the passage OF the resolutions though hs
could not perceive that there any very great necessity fol
their adoption It did appear to him that they charged
the committees with any especial duty Inquiry into the
matters here suggested the ordinary duty Of the commit
tees and he did think there any extraordinary
existing which rendered it necessary this
sion to instruct them by resolution OF the Senae to s
uate them the performance of established duty Never
thees he regretted the introduction of these resolutions
bned they with the remarks which the Senator from
Michigan had thought proper to address to the Senate, be
he agreed with the from Kentucky their
introduction IN that appeared to give something to
them OF significance which would create unnecessary alarm
Every member of the Senate knew and every Of ntcl
knew that unnecessary alarm and apprehension about
the preservation of the public peace great evil II dis
turDeu the
tons Of deanged the pursuits Of life, and even
great extent changed the circumstances of the whole business
Of the country. This truth will be felt especially by
every gentleman acquainted connected with the seaboard
They all knew what immense of property was
aoa upon the ocean, carried there by citizens in the pro-
secuon Of their maritime pursuits They all knew that
war; the breath of OF war; would affect the
value of that property They all knew what effect would
have upon assurances They all knew what immense amounts
property shore would be affected by the agitation Of pub
lie opinion upon ntmaton of the disturbance of the pacific
relations existing between this country and foreign States
Sir (said Mr. w there two ways in either OF which
Government may proceed-and when have stated them
think it will be obvious every which is the wises We
may il we choose create alarm and apprehension We may
il WISER unnecessary ALARM but make quiet
thorough just polite, atesmanke provisions for the future
Mr. President entirely Of the opinion of the Senator
from Kentucky do believe there will be war; least
present and be mistaken, when saw that
looking the Of his recommendation Congress-
IS impossible that the President expect it,
Sir, abstain cautiously from offering any remark upon that
portion of the message which refers to the negotiation alb
an with equal from any remark upon correspondence
which has been published do wish to say whether
Ices appear from that correspondence that negotiation so
completely and entirely end that amcabe disposition
Of the question may be looked for hereafter from diplomatic
II is enough for in order to accomplish all the
purposes OF these few remarks, say, that while inca
pabe of bringing myself the belief that the President APP
prehends any immediate danger of may be allowed to
suppose, imagine that he the President may entertain
opinion similar that which has been expressed this
ing by the Senator from Connecticut He may possibly look
propositions from the other side, having commun
,ated the uimatum Of this Government Whether il be in