The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-12


the charge contained in the Times against the ma.
jorty Of this body should feel inlmy heart almost
much ashamed Of him as do of the indiyidusl
who made the charge. No intelligent man has
given the slightest credence or attention TO that
charge. voted for this adjournment; but think IL
not improper TO state that II was not I'LL the moment
the vote was about to be taken that consented TO
vote for the adjournment. Here few sentences
were lost owing 10 interruption IN the gallery.1
shall vote for the resolution not because deem II al
all necessary vindcate the character OF the Senate,
or Of any individual member OF It, from such an at
tack, but in the expectation and hope that public
justice may be rendered 10 those who have DETAINED
The body and It's members in this Infamous manner.
Mr.. BAGBY. | have only very few remarks
TO offer. | agree with the senator from North Car
olina, Mr.. MAEGUn,l that this procedure was not
necessary; and resting upon the hxed and establish
ed character Of the Senate, | would had been con-
suited relative TO the proPrey OF offering the notion
have given the same advice which he Offered.
do not believe cannot be made TO believe that the
Senate Of the United States has reached that day
when Il is necessary by process OF Investigation TO
defend itself against assaults OF that character.
That day has not yet come; and | console myself
with the fixed and abiding hope that that day will
never come. II, however, honorable gentlemen on
the other side Of the chamber consider 1t due to
themselves and to the distinguished functionary Of
another government, to whom the senator from
North Carolina had alluded, TO constitute this in
curry, agree not only TO open the doors, but to
throw them wide open. Not word ofth charges
has any truth applied TO me, nor have they, be-
lieye, as applied TO others. | heard Of no Caucus
no intrgue-aoT do believe IN the existence Of any
intrigue, nor the meeting Of any caucus. In giving
my vote on the motion to adjourn, was actuated
by the conviction that II was immature to vote on
the question at that time and therefore not for the
purpose OF preventing any intrigue. ! shall vote
for this resolution under the impression that il is
al. Of If.aIA
Senate TO take this notice of the publication. II is
the first time since | have been here that such
course has been taken, and trust in my Maker il
may be the last.
Mr.. BERRIEN. The remark made by the senator
from Alabama, Mr.. BAGBI,l that il any gentleman
on this side Of the chamber feel due TO themselves to
institute this investigation, induces 10 desire that
that may not he misunderstood in voting for this
resolution. shall not do 80 under the influence Of
any such consideration as that represented by the
honorable senator. | shall give my vote for the
resolution before you, not from the belief that il
at all necessary to the yindicatlon Of the character
Of any member Of this Senate either on this or the
other side Of the chamber. | cannot believe that
any man whose opinions ought to influence the ac-
ton Of this Senate, dare hyow-communing with
his God and his own conference.-the slightest be.
lief Of aught that is contained in these representa-
tons Therefore do not vote for this resolution in
the belief that It Is necessary to the vlndcaiion Of
the right Of the constituencies represented by this
body To have the investigation which has been chal-
lenged by these calumniators; and because believe
that in the OF this investigation, we may be
presented with fit opportunity Of rebuking that
icenuousness Of the press, which is too prom.
inently exhibited at the present day. This is the
consideration which will influence me in voting for
the resolution; abjurng as do, at the same time,
the idea that It be necessary 10 the vindicaon
Of any member Of this body.
Mr. BAGBY. The senator will allow me to say
that that remark to which he has alluded was made
in no unknd spirit, but simply because the senators
on the other side were the majority Of those as
sailed.
Mr. BERRIEN. am perfectly satisfied. am
sure the remark was not made unkindly or dsre-
specially.
The motion was then put and unanimously agreed
to; and 1t was then moved that the presiding officer
appoint the members Of the committee This was
also unanimously agreed TO.
The PRESIDENT then named the following gen
tlemen, who constitute the committee Of investiga-
ton: Messrs. JARsAGN, BENTON, Dickinson, JNo.
M. CLAYTON, and TURsEY.
Just before adjournment the following resolu-
ton (nserted here for the sake of connexion) was
offered by Mr.. JARsAGs, and adopted:
Rssolr,d That the select committee this day appoint.
TO investigate certain charges made In the Daily Times
printed in this city against portion Of the United State,
Senate, be- and are hereby authorized TO employ comps
clerk to be paid out Of the contingent fund Of the Sen
Ste
. SPECIAL oRDER-oREeoN.
Mr.. ATOIIISUN obtained the noor, and address,
ed the Senate. He said he would not have cared To
say anything the subject before them, had 1t not
during the week previous, assumed a new aspect
There were various propositions before the Senate
then, the object of all Of which was to put an end
to- to annul, and abrogate the treaty Of Joint occu
pancy between Great Britain and the United States
in relation to Oregon. Now, he was for that form,
and that form alone, which would insure that end
in the fewest words, and most pointed terms He
preferred the resolution which came from the Com
mee on Foreign Relations, because it effected the
object directly, unencumbered by any conditions
whatever. Secondly, he would be willing to vote
for the resolution which came from the House of
Representatives, although it would be with some re-
luctance. That form Of resolution was objeciona-
BILE, because it was meaningless, as he understood
it. Here Mr., A. read the second of the House
resolutions, containing the proviso in favor of nego-
uaton.) Now 1t seemed to him the Congress of
the United States could confer any power on the
President to negotiate between this government and
the government Of Great Britain in relation to that
territory; that power, he presumed in the Pres
Ident OF the United States and the British govern
ment; hence the resolution must be meaningless
Yet he admitted another construction might be- and
indeed, had been, put upon the second resolutions;
that, although the President of the United States
recommended to Congress that the notice be given,
VIC, al the saHie ume, CONFER on hun the power to
settle the question. The House of Representatives
could not have intended to confer on the President
Of the United States, or the government of Great
Britain, power to negotiate in relation to this sub
ject. The House Of Representatives could not have
intended anything of that kind; and those who
would read the first resolution would see at once
that that resolution could not in any state of the
case, prevent the President or the British govern
ment from negotiating in relation to that territory
Then, he would ask, Was it to be understood that
the Congress of the United States was called upon
by that resolution to instruct the President to settle
the matter so, for that reason he would protest
against it. The resolution offered by the senator
from Kentucky he thought still more Objectionable;
the objections, in his opinion, lying principally
against the proviso, "And whereas it is now be-
come desirable that the United States and Great
Britain" &C. To that part he had no objection; it
was to the clause that followed: with a view,
therefore, to the abrogation of this convention ;" &c
II was not with view to advise or counsel the
President of the United States that he would vote
for the notice: 1t would not be to force him, or
change his views in regard to negotiation, that he
would go for the notice. These matters he would
submit to the President himself As he said before,