The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-12

Claim which sitheS The parties might have 10 any part
eoah and with III. a,sae Of hs ssh Of GS
gust eighteen hundred and 9~sI si ssNs I'm
due Notice OF twelve months to the other contracting
And whereas bias become desirable that the respective
Claims OF he United states and Gpa Britain should be
ds6nfey settled aud that said territory may no longer
ths DIVIDED allegiance OF ia American sRd British Popu-
ison and Of the confu sion and conflict Of national lurs
ctons dangerous TO the cherished peace and good
ssTstandiDg Of tho eountriesi
With view therefore that steps he taken or The sbrogn
tOn Of the said convention OF the sixth Of August egh
hundred and twenty seven, In the mode prescribed
is secoad article and that the ssnon OF the govern.
menA OF both Countries may be the more earnestly and
Immediately directed to renewed efforts for the settlement
Of all their differences and disputes respect 10 said terri
l tory
Resolved By the Senate and House " Esprsssniarss Of
,hs United aat'' Of .f%9sa ta Gorge" a',s@bl$ Th..
authorized at his discretion to give to the British govern
the notice required by its said second article for the
eighteen hundred and twenty seven: FrOrdsd koEsrsr
That order to afford smper time and opportunity for
the amcsbe settlement and adjustment all their differ
and disputes Ia respect 10 said territory. said
ce ought not TO be given till alter the close Of the present
session Of Congress
Mr.. CLAYTON then proceeded to address the
4 Senate. he said there are now before the Senate
Of the United States two distinct propositions for
terminating the convention Of l62T-for giving no
tice TO England that that joint occupancy must cease
at the end Of twelve months after giving the notice.
There Ia also another proposition, not originally
1
referred 10 TIE Committee Foreign Relations, and
does not properly form the subject of discussion
this time. allude TO the resolution passed by the
i House Of Representatives. The two propositions
before the Senate differ in two important particulars.
One was reported by the Committee on Foreign Re
latons Of this body, and il proposes TO give the
tice, without entrusng the President Of the United
States with any discretionary power Whatever on
the subject. IL deyolyes upon Congress the whole
responsibility OF giving the notice. The other pro-
himself II gives 10 him the right the authority to
give the notice, hin his judgment that measure shall
seem most expedlent and calculated TO subserye the
great interests Of the country. II does not deny TO
hun the exercise Of the right to withhold the notice
altogether If, IN consequence Of any future develop
menls, or of any hing which has already oc-
CURED, It should seem TO him most advisable
not TO give the notice. Ii differs also from
the other resolution in another important par
ucular; and that Is, that ii holds distinctly, or
at all events by necessary implication, the idea that
negotiations between this country and England
have not yet been entirely closed; and, in my iudg-
ment, II amounts TO virtual recommendation that
the President should continue negotiations with
view to the peaceable settlement Of the great ques
ton which now agltates this nation. OF the two
propositions, have no hesitation in saying, that
decidedly prefer the amendment which has been
proposed by my Honorable friend from Kentucky
TO the other proposition-that which forces us 10
) give the notice lmmediately-whch entrusls the
ry power whatsver-whieh assumes that Congress
is so thoroughly acquainted with the subject, no
matter what has occurred in the negotiations between
the British minister and the Secretary Of State or
what shall occur hereafter, that the notice must be
given. To that resolution say have insupcra-
bic objections and in possible circumstances can
yield it my assent But while say this declare
az the same time, that ! make not this opposi-
ton from any factious spirit. know no party
, feeling whatever on this great question. | have
II Ill
party man on any great question touching the for
eign relations of this country; have those with
whom have been accustomed to act politically ever
taken such a course. Sir, recolect wel-and there
are some here who viii recoect as we'll as do-thc
course which We all took in reference to the north
eastern boundary, at the time when the award of
the King Of the Netherlands was first presented to
this body. On neither side Of the House did gen.
tlemen act as party men. The subject not dis
cnssed by any one on either side ofthe House. as
party measure. After celebrating upon and discuss-
ing that important measure came to a unanimous
= result; and to England we presented at that time
y an unbroken front. And such, too, was precisely
the case on another memorable OCCASION when
had the honor Of occupying seat the floor OF
: this Senate, and when it was supposed by many
j. that we were on the of war with france IN
consequence of her refusal To pay vs. twenty Eve
millions that she had sgreet % pay Us Rndr, Mr..
Rivess h'aiy, 90 that occasion ihsfs va: 70 par
: ~ division 10 this boaY 4sn horae5ls senator
: from kepipesy, no lorger merIhe. Of the body,
!, sc1 Lbsirmsn Of the Comatce .. Fr-.igr Rela-
iiofs al the time drew " reposi a. the close Of
which was resolution thar be offered to the Senate
and which met viii the unanimous appreciation of
tho members Of this body. Yes, we resolved, one
and ali Of u.s. on that occasion, to stand by our own
country, and to insist upon our own rights. And
need not refer to these two instances only-l say
without hazard Of contradiction from any quarter
that, on no occasion, since have known the Senate
Of the United States, has it been sunk b low as to
divide itself into parties and sections upon any great
question touching the foreign relations Of the coun-
try. trust in God that shall see no such exhibi-
J ton now. That we may all agree on one measure
in reference TO this great subject perhaps not prob
able-perhaps not possible. Each man thinking in
dependently for himself and entertaining his own
views, will express them. If it be possible for
us to find one common platform which we can
all stand, suppose lmay safely say that there is no
rectly upon party ground. Well, sir, for my own
part in reference TO this great question | am willing
to say frankly that, whatever opinion may enter
tain in regard to the negotiations between our Sec
rotary of State and the British minister and the
manner of conducting these negoations-what
ever opinion l may entertain in regard to the pol
icy Of the President of the United States on thus
whole subect-yet senator of the United States
and as patriot, mean to stand by him as far as j
can do II consistently with principle and honor. He
has recommended the Congress Of the United States
to give this notice to England Upon his high re-
sponsibility, he has made that Recommendation si
the same time he has not given the slightest init
nation in any part of his message nor in any other
communication to Congress, that he entertains the
opinion that that notice will be attended by any war
with England, followed up by any hostile meas
ures whatever on the part Of England He has not
warned the country that there is the slightest danger
Of war arising either from the passage OF this resou-
ton or OF resolution of similar import, or from any
other measure whatever. He has given us no in
timation that there is the slightest danger what
ever. But If l am to judge from his action, az
well as from his words, there is not there can be
no danger whatever of war with England Why.
sis, what are tho faetsa He has not recommend
ed that the appropriations for the defenees Of the
country should be increased one dollar. On the
contrary, he has recommended that the estimates
for the year should be reduced and they have been
reduced He has accompanied that recommended
non with another, and that is, that the tariff Of the
/ country shall be reduced. He has made no nron.
ositon whatever for increasing the revenue by in
creasiDg the duties on any article or articles yha,