Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-02-28

therefore, natural substitute for it, Now if il was the dis
position OF the Senate to act this subject further than had
beer proposed by the honorable Senator from Kentucky the
only question would be whether the Senator would not
sent TO withdraw his amendment and suffer that Of the
Senator from Georgia TO be moved in its place.
Mr. CRlFTENDEN was understood as declining to with
draw his amendment but still willing accept of the
first part Of the amendment of the Senator from Georgia
modification Of it.
Mr. WEBSTER resumed He did not think il of pari-
cuar importance that the Senate should express opinion
this matter to-day tomorrow, this week the He
supposed that the proceedings Of the Senate regarded
with Infinite interest at home, and looked upon with great
respect abroad. But Mr. w. felt strongly perhaps
than the Senator from Kentucky the evils which lie had re-
erred because he lived in the very midst Of and witnessed
from day day the great amount Of injury sustained by the
commercial interests Of this country from the present posture
of affairs
Mr.. w. would add few words. shall vote, said
he for both portions the amendment suggested by the Sena
from Georgia, (Mr CoLauIrr prepared to do So
At the opening of the present the President ucaed
upon by the Senate sent to both Houses the diplomatic
espondence which had taken place between his Secretary
State and the Representative Of the British Government here
recommending at the time the giving ofnoce that Gov
of the termination Of the convention of 1915 The
correspondence thus submitted has very properly been made
subject of remark in both Houses will say nothing in re-
gard the proety Of sending that correspondence here
suppose such step could hardly be justified on the
ground that the negotiation ended by the rejection the
Presidents offer Of the parallel Of 49 boundary the
immediate withdrawal Of that offer because the general
practice of Govenmens it has been found very nconve-
nient to publish the letters which may have passed between
negoaos before the end of the negotiation has been arrived
at But the President had this correspondence
and as the Senate was called upon to act the proposition
of notice. thought it would expedite decision have
before also any further correspondence which might have
taken place subsequently to that FIRST accordingly
moved the call, and, in response to it the
respondence has been laid before u which we learn the
offer by the British Envoy submit the question to arba
ton, and the rejection Of that offer by the Executive
Now without meaning at this time to go into any OF
examination OF the Of the Executive in this matter
indugng any remark expressive Of unfendly feeling
towards the Administration, any disposition embarrass
the Govemmenfor feel nothing of the kind and nothing
Is further from my inenon-I still be permitted to say
that the existing posture Of affairs such render quite
desirable that should know what the opinion Of the
Executive in regard this and its consequences
Nobody doubts that the two Houses of Congress per-
feet authority terminate the Oregon convention without Of
fence to body because this specified right and its
exercise present just OF complaint any quar-
Ter. But, though this is undoubted position yet it must
be considered connexion with the circumstances which
have been made to surround it. The resolution Of notice
has passed the other House Of Congress with qualification
addition, by whatever 1t should be called which
changes in some respect from being mere naked notice of
1t with that qualification or condition for
adoption here Other propositions offered in the Senate
and are entertained fit subjects of consideration.
The Senator from Kentucky in part of his Speech says
that he will leave the entire responsibility of this whole con-
overy where the Constitution has placed it. and contends
that those who have the power to conduct the foreign dpo
macy OF e country are responsible to the country and the
world for the manner in which they shall that power
This certainly very just but raises doubt whether we
ought to do than simply give refuse give the
naked notice. But modification of the naked no.
ice has been made already in the other House and there
As believe, conviction the part of large majority Of
he Senate that should, certain extent be qualified
Now hold that under these circumstances have right
know in what point of view the Executive himself regards
his notices what the ends he has ve and what are
he consequences which, in the judgment Of the Executive
be notice is TO lead.
When speaking this subject some six weeks ago. said
most obvious that the President could not expect war
he did the Chief Magistrate of such ma
ion must be expected act if charged he was with The de-
of the country he expected any danger being
aulted by the most formidable Power upon earth still say
here Is nothing in the Executive Communications show us
hat the Presdentdoes expect He must them expect
nothing but continuance of the present dispute or settle
nent Of by negotiation But how is to be settled On
What terms On what basis All that we hear is "the
Whole Of Oregon none" And yet there to be negota
on We cannot conceal nom ourselves the world tn
ross inconsistency Of such conduct Il is the spirit of the
hole negotiation, part that Oregon ours there
othirg like admitting even doubt the part Of ourselves
Others as to that position and yet negotiate
hat is negotiation Does any gentleman expect that the
administration BY negotiation, to persuade Great Britain
surrender the whole of what she holds in Oregon They
ay do this cannot say they will not fthat is their ex-
ctaton let them try their hand at it wish them
hat is, wish that may get all Oregon if we can
II let our argument be fair and let settle the question
asonaby.
dull 10 ho understand the position placed in The
xecutve seems TO be for negotiation but against taking any
ing but the whole Of Oregon What be ground OIL
egotation What is the basis which il is TO proceed
the Executive has made up his mind treat for less
the whole, he should say and himself at once
n the two Houses Of Congress
am entitled TO make this remark because cannot he dis
used that the probable effect of this notice il viewed very
differently by very intelligent gentlemen all friends of the
administration this floor The Senator from Georgia
;oLauIrT) regards it tending to peace he ex
ecs he hopes peace from it. and he thinks the expression of
UGH opinions he will enable the Administration to
the peace of the country There certain other gen
iemen and among them the honorable Senator from Mcb
,an MT CAss who much less ardent in their hopes of
'eaoe That Senator's impression has been that if we pass
his notice, there Is possibility and prospect of war and
against the gentemans declarations and dsavowas
us speeches generally terminate in the expression that war
Inevitable.
Mr. CASS here rose amid general smile, and said No |
much laughter no never used the word and beg leave
contradict the statement have afraid of war This
allow, has been my position and hope shall neither be
misunderstood nor msrepresented. do mean TO saw
hat the Senator from Massachusetts, intends to msepre-
ent
Mr. WEBSTER. Certainly not.
Mr. CASS What said was, that we were called on by
ne PRESIDENT TO give this notice that If gave it. there
no negotiation and England did recec and we went
'n TO carry out the other recommended by TIN Pre-
iden that then war would be certain IA laugh will
epeat my position say, if give this notice. and there
man be no negotiation and if England adheres TO her pre-
esons and we on to take possession Of Oregon while she
mere IN possession then there will begentlenen NAV
use any term they please. Much merrmentl
Mr. WEBSTER. The only contingency the Senator fears