Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-04-09

zens or of sacrifice Of national interests or of ma
tiona honor the deed would have been hailed as
one Of the proudesl and nobest achievements in our
diplomatic history. Surprising credit would have
been claimed for the wisdom, and tact, and prompt
ness Of this Administration, in efecting peaceful
and honorable adjustment Of this long standing
controversy Yes, sir, had that proposition been
accepted, | doubt not il would have received the
sanction Of the American Senate and Of the Amer
lean people, and been every where hailed as the
harbinger Of abiding peace and harmony between
the two Governments Even the manifesto Of the
Baltimore convention would have been forgotten
amidst the general jubilee at the glad tidings of
result so fortunate and so desirable. And will
venture the prediction that, if the present Admins
uation should ultimately settle this question upon
that line Of division they who now most confidently
assert title to be clear and indisputable to the
parallel Of 54th deg. 40 min. and who now most
vocierously declare that not inch OF the terri
tory short Of that line be surrendered without
dshonor and disgrace, will al least be silent il not
the first TO commend the act
! entertain the opinion, Mr. Chairman, that if
wise and consderate counses prevail both sides,
this controversy may yet be brought to an early, an
amicable, aud satisfactory arrangement. The let
ter Of the Secretary Of State Withdrawing the prop
osltion which he had made concludes by express
ing the hope that such an adjustment may still be
effected, and peace and harmony between the two
Governments still be maintained. We are bound
to believe that this expression made honestly,
sincerely, and in good faith. II was made too Of
fcially and under the immediate direction and au-
thority Of the President Of the United States. We
are bound TO believe, also, that the proposition it,
self was made in good faith, and with sincere de-
sire 10 bring this controversy an early and hon.
orable termination. To assert or TO suppose 9th.
erwise, would be to impute to the President and
Secretary the lowest and grossest species Of dssim
ulaton and hypocrisy. | make no such charge.
interd no such charge. II the proposition
made with the knowledge, the expectation, or the
hope that il would be rejected, as was intmated by
the gentlemen from New York, (Mr Kng,) | will
leave it to that gentleman TO reconcile the act with
any principle OF propriety Of good faith, or of hon
orabe conduct. Small my confidence may be
IN the present Administration, my estimate fthem
is not yet quite low to believe them capable
of conduct unworthy, so base, and hypocrtical.
And, when they give assurance of their desire that
the pending controversy between this Government
and Great Britain may be amcably settled and the
peace and harmony now so happily existing between
them may be maintained, | will believe il to be
something more significant than the mere empty
forms of diplomatic ciVility. What, then, we
TO infer from the language of the correspondence to
which have referred Why. most certainly, that
the President and Secretary do not regard The re-
lection and withdrawal Of the offer made by them
presenting any insuperable barrier TO further
collation. or precluding all hope Of compromise /;
but on the contrary that they still entertain the
hope aud expectation Of yet effecling an amicabe
and satisfactory result In short that they consd-
er, and are willing TO treat the question, still
open fer negotiation aud compromise. And ven
tnre TO affirm. Mr. Chairman, that if there be any
one act or recommendation of this new Adminislra-
liion which, more than any other, comments itself
to the approval of the American people, it is the Of
fer made, and the disposition thereby manifested in
reference to this very question. l. of course, am
TO be understood AS drawing my differences, in re.
gard 10 the views and disposition Of the Admins.
traiion upon this upon other questions Of
tional concern, from the record from their public
acts and communications | am not in the fortu-
nate position which, perhaps, some other gentlemen
may occupy to be in receipt Of any Of their private
or confidential communications. But am not at
liberty TO presume that they entertain any private
views opinions, upon any of the great questions
Of public interest, inconsistent with those officially
promulgated. If | am not deceived, then, to
the views and disposition OF the Administration up
on this subject if do not mislnterpret their Ian
guage or misunderstood its import submit wheth-
er we shall not best discharge our duty by leaving
the question, with its responsibilities, where it prop
ery belongs with the administrative department,
unembarrassed and unencumbered by any legisla-
tive direction control. They must understand,
better than we eau the state of the question in all
the stages of its progress. We are indeed. inform.
ed that negotiations have been resumed, and may
now be going on, between the authorized organs OF
the two Governments. We know nothing, there.
fore of the present condition Of the question. We
have called upon the President to communicate TO
us any correspondence which may have taken
place. since the annual message, upon this subject.
lie has not yet responded TO that call We are left
TO grope in the dark, Hence, repeat, what have
before said, that this question is prematurey, and
inconsideraiey, and, | will add, most unwisely,
forced upon the consideration Of this House. And,
bndlolded as we are. you have said that we shall
vote upon il in three days from this time. We are
presenting TO the world the singular and exlraor.
binary spectacle Of discussing and acting upon
question involving consequences no less momentous
than of peace or war, while all information as 10
the present state of that question is withheld from
US. Ii is contrary to all my views Of national pro.
priety that we should be legslating at all upon
question Of this character while it is subject Of
negotiation. ! say, then, let US interpose no i'm
pedlment to negotiation let us throw no possible
obstacle in the way Of an amcabe settlement, while
such a settlement is within the range of the reno
lest probability Let the question remain untram
meled in the hands Of those whom the people have
SO recently appointed to the administration OF their
public affairs and in their treatment of the subject
will at least indulge the hope that they will be
acuaied by due regard TO the interests the integ-
rly and the honor ofthe country; and that, acting
under sense Of their obligations and responsible
ties to the American people. they will in due time,
if possible bring this controversy TO fair, Just,
aud honorable termination. And, if they can do
SO with the notice, they certainly do so without
IT, Besides by giving the notice with the design
and for the purpose we have expressed we at least
r.. IL. r