Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-03-19
SHARP SHOOTING AMONG THE DEMOCRACY

x
Of the remarks of Mr.. Hannegan in the Senai
on the 9th inst. Mr.. Senator Haywood ha,
ing in his speech denied that the Presider
was committed TO all of Oregon, and havin
asserted that he was ready and willing to com
promise on the parallel of 40, Mr.. Hannega
thus replied:
Mr.. Hannegan rose to address the Senate
but yielded the floor at the request Of
Mr.. Calhoun, who desired TO correct an er
roneous Impression which nigh; be conveyed
by the remarks of the Senator from NortI
Carolina, in.Iespect TO the protocol which hat
been spoken of If Senators would turn to i
they would find that it contained simply
declaration on the part Of the British mnis,e
stating the reasons why he did not feel au
thorized to go on with the negotiations aut
that he had applied to his Government foI
further Instructions whether those instruc-
tons were received or not, he could not say
he presumed, however, that they had been re-
ceived. The United States never assen.ed 10
the proposition tina, any part of Oregon be-
longed to Great Britain. Our negotators had
always claimed the whole. In his own letter
to the British negoiator he had claimed on
the part of this government the whole valley
of the Columbia river. He was not aware
that il had ever been acknowledged that the title
was not in us.
Mr.. flanagan promised not to detain the
Senate very long. Before proceeding to make
lew remarks in reply to some parts Of what
he considered as the most extraordinary
speech he had ever heard in his life, he beg
ged to ask The Senator from North Carolina
(Mr Haywood one question:, which, for
greater accuracy, he had reduced to writing.
We did not get a copy Of the question; but
1t was in substance this whether he had the
authority Of the President Of the United States,
direct or indirect, for declaring here that II
was his wish TO terminate The existing contro-
versy with Great Britain by compromising
on the parallel of 490 !?
Mr.. Haywood replied that he had already
said that which, for fear of mistake, he had
previously written, and which he should print
For the President TO authorize any Senator TO
make such declaration as that stated by
the Senator from Indiana was not TO be en-
pected, and would be out of character.
MIR. Allen said he should construe the re-
ply Of the Senator from North Carolina into
a negative, unless forbidden by the Senator
himself to do so.
Mr.. Haywood. ] have already endeavored
10 prove nv friend from Ohio bad hand at
construction. A laugh.l
MIR. Allen. Then ! shall adopt the other
construction, and consider his answer as in
the affirmative; and | demand-and demand
it as a public right--that he shall answer the
swer, am here ready to deny that he has
oil 81 ia
Mr.. Haywood's answer was but partially
heard, but lie was understood to saw that his
constituents had not sent him there TO answer
questions put 10 him by any man; but in re-
gard TO the inquiries of the Senator from Ohio,
if he (Mr. III. occupied the position which
that Senator did, and was driven to the neces-
sty of asking questions here about the opin-
ions of the President, he should quit Much
laughter.
Mr.. Wescott here called Mr.. Haywood TO
order, if h was about TO state ANYTHING as
from the President.
Mr.. Haywood The Senator need not be
alarmed Increased merriment in some paris
of the chamber. No Senator had right to
make demands Of him on the floor of the SEN
ate, and he should not submit TO such de-
mands. Nevertheless, he might consent, if
properly requested, to reply to any reasonable
inquiry, either in the House or out Of il. He
had often done things in that way out of doors,
that he considered rather humillaling, for the
sake of peace and good fellowship but he
recognized in no man right to demand an
swers from him in his place in the Senate
Mr. Allen said he had not demanded an an
swer as private or personal right, but as a
public right. When a Senator assumed to
speak for the President, it was public right
possessed by every Senator TO demand his
authority for doing so. The avowal here
made by the Senator from North Carolina
was, that he was the exponent Of the views
of the President Of the United States on a
great national question. The gentleman had
assumed this; and MIR. A. now again asked
whether he was in possession OF any au.hori-
~ from the Preslden! for saying what he had
MIR. Westcott called Mr. Allen 20 order. Ii
was not in order to inquire here what were
the Presidents personal opinions or purposes
Mr.. Allen said that he had not asked VIVA;
the opinions Of the President were.
Mr.. Haywood said that he was not at ali
excited.-lle would, however, take leave tc
observe that he did not see any thing like q
catechism in the rules of order. He had no.
assumed to speak by authority of the Presi-
dent.
Mr.. Allen. Then the Senator takes back hi.
whole speech.
Mr.. Haywood. ] am glad to see that The
speech takes. Much laughter.
Mr.. Allen, much excited:l With the Bri.
fish
Much excitement and conversation here
(as, indeed, throughout this entire scene) pre-
vented the Reporter from hearing all that Mr.
Allen said.
Mr.. Ilaunegan wished the Senate to notice
that though tile Senator from n orth Carolin;