Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-01-27

,han had intended and tear ! must pa "
some others 10 which had Intended 10 refer -
There was, however, one prominently I.ousn.
forward 10 this discussion, upon Wnic" - -.
bestow at least passing thought. Nis no.
those who advocate il, that this IS l."se me-.
sure, and by those who oppose H. iial !. IN, -
measure. am mol prepared 10 go Inc i';' eAsen.
Win some who declare that The inevitable result
of The passage of this notice will be 10 Involve
This country in hlondy and DESTRUCTIVE w.t.. -,
Nor am prepared, on the other hano' 70 60 WIN
those who learlessy assert that there = 10 uau-
ger 10 result from our action in reference ~ o,e-
eou. plant myself on this srouna, lndt l,ie
course which propose 10 pursue IS ihe one cdh-
ed for by The national faith and hohof OF my
country; and | am in, the prosecution OF Wha'
conceive TO be the just rights OF NY sosI'n.
meet endeavoring 10 carry onl 'ne pU".1 oss'
calculated 10 secure this end. II peace NC .ue *.
suit, | shall gladly welcome H. IL wal NC .ne
consequence, we must meet II. ~ - q q 's'' ~.
10 be avoided, not 10 be evadeu' ~. W."
with boldness, frmness, and decision: Wneh
we have discharged our duties, then, SIT, II WIN DC
for another department Of our government, ana
for the government with whom we are 10 roi'is!oh
upon this subject 10 do what they may conceive
To be their duty. II The resnll shalt be inauspi,
cious-if il shall involve us 10 a war; VIZ
have the ccnsolins reflection leit, lhai l nave
pursued a course oil policy dictated Dy Tue
best interests Of my country, as lar as nave
been enabled 10 appreciate those interests =
That We should suffer from war, 10 mo-
pretend to deny; that we shall lose Inc oregon,
Territory BY resorling TO war, l uuei'y pu'
respectfully repudale the idea. whenever 'his
Government shall be engaged in cohhicl o.
this kind with the British Government, OF WIN
any other Government on earth, peace VIII never
4 lpay
tory which has ever been consccrated 20 Ame-
Tican freedom and American principles, alter
wards 10 be profaned by mnnarchical or despolic
PRINCIPLES No; Canada may be acquired; ! 90
not dispute that position OF gentlemen VINO nave
argued this proposition before the House; but
that Oregon will ever be abandoned peaceful
IL. or in The struggle Of war, my mind has never
vel been brought 10 that conclusion, nor VIII y
be. Sir upon Ibis day. this memorable, glorious
Slh of January, lei it not be said by American
statesmen, in an American Congress, that This
Government can be weakened in, or deprived OF,
her Just and unquestionable rights by conflict
with Great Britain, or with any other Govern
men,. II war come, Ivenn.e The prediction that
when il terminates, we will have the consolation
OF knowing that not a British flag floats on an
American breeze; that not British subject treads
on American soil.
war with England and TO compare the result with
the value oflhe territory involved in the issue; and
in doing so gentlemen have been pleased 10 Pre>eh!
10 our contemplation picture well calculated to
.icken The heart Of The patriot The accumula-
lion of heavy and buIdensome debt, thereby
tending 10 The increased taxation npon The people:
The loss OF valuable lives in The bloody conflict;
The destruction of our commerce, and the various
interests OF the country in intimate association
with ii; these, and many other considerations oil
a kindred character lave been brought 10 our
notice in most feeling and eloquent appeals, call
ing upon US 10 avert these raIalyzing efforts up
on the industry and energy OF our people. III.
ly appreciate the motives and feelings OF those
who have INDUCED in these reflections; but al The
same lime, | must he permitted to respond 10
them, that il is moi tie simple question OF The
value Of The territory dispute 10 be placed in The
opposing scale. There is principle involved
in The issue Of far deeper interest, and involving
lar more important results. II is tic principle
of concession TO British arrogance and British
cupdv Once establish The doctrine Of conces
sion OF just AMI clear rights in the stead of a
bold and fearless maintenance OF them al every
cost and hazard, and The days OF American 9lo-
~ are numbered.
desired 10 consider the proposition, which has
been submitted 10 us in The form OF an amend
ment BY The gentleman from Alabama, Mr.. Hill
Hard, ~ to whose remarks, in support Of The views
he presented to the House. | listened with deep
interest, and with The course OF whose argument
| was gralifed and Instructed. am not willing,
however, 10 abandon The proposition recommcnG-
ed by the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and 10
substitute in lieu Of i the one submitted by the
honorable gentleman from Alabama; aud will,
with he utmost detcnnce 10 that gentleman, give
one or two reasons Why | think thai, with the
views he has expressed, so nobiv and so eloquent
y expressed, he oueltt 10 be willing 10 give The 60
BY 10 his amendment, and TO stand with US IN sup
port OF the original resolutions Let rs, who
agree on this subject meet on common ground
in support Of The resolution reported from tie
Committee ON Foreign Affairs. What is the diff
ference in these proposilions2 The resolution Of
the Committee on Foreign Affairs recommends
that the President forthwith give The notice. The
gentleman proposes, in lieu of that, 10 assert that
The President be empowered 10 give the notice,
whenever The public interests, in his judgment,
require it, conside. that this proposition is eva
sive: and aver thar il must be 50 considered by
his country and BY The British Government.
WHY do YOU wish 10 empower the Executive 10
riycthe notice when The public interest requires il,
il. al the same time, we are not prepared TO ex-
press The opinion that the public intercs, now re-
quires III
Sir, the President Of the United States has sub
mitled all the Information, in conne1lon with This
subject, which may properly be submitted, and
which, in his opinion, may have any influence
urop Congress. With this, he gives you his OPT
MON that the notice ought 10 be given once, that
this Joint occupancy shall forthwith cease. The
gentleman from Alabama proposes now, that in
stead Of taking upon ourselves the responsibility
of meeting The question, and declaring that we
agree with The President, and give il 10 him as
our opinion that the notice ought 10 be given, and
call upon him 10 do il under our instructions, that
We merely say 10 him that he has the power TO do
il. and we shall leave 10 him 10 decide il. Is ii
The object Of the gentleman from Alabama 10
place upon The Executive the responsibility OF
giving The notice when the public interest requires
il? II So the Executive has already taken that
responsibility, so far as il can be placed upon the
shoulders of any man, by The recommendation
which he has submitted in his message. If you
desire then, not 10 relieve yourselves from the re-
sponsibiliy- and call the attention of the friends
OF this mea.u 10 The distinction which draw
il Congress is willing 10 assume The RESPONSE
hily, If you believe the time has arrived when
his notice should be given, when this Joint occu-
pancy should cease, when the rights OF the Co
vernmept should be declared and maintained,
cost what IL may, tncn lHeet u ooiuiy, Cohie
IN 10 the question, as presented BY The re-
pom of the committee, and say TO the President,
cause The notice 10 be given. But do not
avoid The responsibility; do not step gently be-
hind the screen, and say to the President, 1--WE
decline giving an opinion ourselves as TO The pro-
per policy 10 be pursued at this time; but We will
give you the power, (Which perhaps be may al
ready possess,) if, in your Judgment, The interest
OF The country requires il TO give the notice here
after" saw, let US have no evadDg Of this qucs-
lion; il we believe the notice ought 10 be given,
lei US so declare by our action.
Such, then, Sir, are The considerations which
have brought my mind 10 The conclusion that The
time has arrived when the Government, OF The
United States should assert and maintain her
just and ndispulable rights 10 The Oregon terrific
rs; and that the policy indicated BY Tie resolu-
ton upon Your table is The proper iniiatory STEP
10 The efficient and successful accomplishment
Of that object. present them to the considera'
lion OF this House, and OF mr. constituents, con-
fidenly anticipating from them response as
credable 10 their hearts as il will be grateful to
my own feelings.
AppOINTMENTS RY THE PRESIDENT