The Southern journal., 1846-01-31

CieaTs ana COulu 90 US we pteaseus
II did not follow as a necessary conse-
quence that we should then take pos
session, but be hoped it would follow
as consequence, and very imme-
date one.-Bnt whether VIC give the
notice or not, il did not necessarily
draw after it hostility or war. If Ct.
Britain chose TO take j: aslan indica
ton Of hostility, and then commence
hostilities, why, We had been told that
there would be but one heart in this
country; and God Almighty grant that
it might be so? ~
sw r ~
| II did not follow that there would
be war;it did not even follow that
we should take possession ofthe coun-
try. We would only say to Great
Britain after negotiating twenty.odd
years under .that convention, made
and repeated, we do not choose TO me-
gotiate any longer in this way. We
choose to take possession Of our own.
Ii we have 10 settle what is our own,
or whether any portion belongs TO you,
we may negotiate. We might nego-
tiate after taking possession. That
was the military way of doing busi.
ness.
| Strong as was his moral aversion
to modern war and military establish
ments, then if he should have the
breath Of life when the war oommen-
ces, he hoped he should be able and
willing to 60 as far in any sacrifices
necessary to make the war successful
as any member Of this House. He
could say no more.
He now said, he repeated, thai, Jun
til the notice was given 10 Great Bri.
tain, he was not prepared 10 60 for
any of the subsequent measures. He
thought we might, with great tpropri.
ely, without waiting for the effect of
the notice, extend to our countrymen,
who arc in possession of parts of that
territory-parts not claimed BY Great
Brilain-the laws of the country and
the protection Of the country in any
form which may be necessary. But
he saw no necessity for an increase Of
the army OF navy at all. He supposed
that the measures taken after the no,
tice would not be offensive to Great
Britain, nor did he suppose that they
would commence war upon it. But
for the occupation Of the territory, he
did suppose that some additional force
would be necessary for the army; and
however unwilling he was ever 10
give his vote for the increase Of the
military forces of the country, he
thought he should overcome the diff.
culties in the way, especially on the
the appearance on the part Of Great
Britain of disposition to take offence
at this measure. All these measures
and especially that Of the increase Of
our military forces, must depend on
the notice to Great Britain that this
present state of things that had exis-
ted for twenty or twenty-five years
should no longer continue; and that
we would not have our hands and feet
tied on the subject; that the notice
must be given, and we must be free to
act as we shall think our interest and
the rights Of the country require.
He believed he had said all he pro-
posed to say on this subject. The
most material thread of his observa.
tions was first 10 give notice to Great
Britain to terminate this convention
this was the first measure; and after
that, wonld come measures necessary
for the protection ofour citizens; such
as the establishment of stockade forts
and other measures relating to the in
crease Of our military establishments
for he was against all these unless the
convention was terminated.