Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-01-17


andsmen and boys in the naval service to thousand
five hundred, be and the is hereby repealed.
NON-INTERFERENCE OF EUROPEAN NATIONS
IN AMERICAN AFFAIRS.
Mr. ALLEN in pursuance of notice previously given, ask
cd leave 10 introduce JOINT resolution decaraory OF the pn
cipe by which the United States will be governed in regard
TO the incposon Of the Powers of Europe in the political
affairs OF the independent nations Of America.
The reading Of the resolution called for and read
by the Secretary, as follows
esotaed by The Senate and Houe Of Representatives. Of the
United States Of .imerca Congress assembled That
disposition by certain Powers of
rope TO Interfere in the political arrangements of this continent
with view to the enforcement OF the European principle Of
the balance opower upon the Independent nations OF Anne
riea Ina, made in his judgment the duty Of the President
OF the United States TO call the attention of Congress this
subject in his annual message, and to the part Of
the intel States, the counter principle OF nonnteenton
is the judgment OF Congress that the thus
made by the President demanded by the manifest hazard
TO which such interference would inevitably expose the rea
lions OF peace now subsng between the old world and the
new.
Resofued That Congress- thus coucurring with the Pres
de and sensible that this subject has been forced upon the
enton Of the United States by recent events significant
10 make &FInPossbe for this Government longer remain
SILENT without appearing ready to submit to and even sse
the enforcement Of this dangerous doctrine do hereby soeny
declare TO the civilized world the unaerabe resolution of the
United States adhere the principle that
effort Of the Powers of Europe incnedle in the social
gnzaon on political arrangements OF the independent
tons of America or further to extend the Eroean system of
Government upon this continent by the establishment OF
colonies, would be incompatible with the independent exist
of the nations and dangerous the liberties of tho people
preservation would justify the prompt resistance OF the
United States
Mr.. ALLEN desired that it might be read second time
BY its title, with view to its reference to the Committee
Foreign Relations.
Mr. JARNAGfN inquired whether leave had yet been g
ven for its introduction.
The PRESIDING OFFICER stated that the question
would be on granting leave to introduce the resolution
Mr.. CALHOUN said he would like to hear the whole
luton again read before being called upon decide upon
the preliminary question of It's reception might be mat
ter Of vast Importance and he certainly thought that in all
such the sanction Of for the reception of
proposition should not be given by the Senate without clear
understanding OF its nature and, in this he would
say that not five Senators knew what the resolution
contained.
The resolution having been again read
Mr. CALHOUN proceeded u remark that every Senator
must be that the present condition of the country
this resolution called upon the Senate make most solemn
declaration and it would be matter for their serious reec
o In the course OF the discussion OF the question, In case
the motion receive be carried how far they prepared
to carry such declaration into effect.
No man. said Mr. c. view with stronger feelings than
do the improper interference Of the Powers Of Europe with
the people Of this continent and take this opportunity
say that, far information extends the interference in
the affairs of the Republic of Buenos Ayrcs by the French and
English Governments outrage altogether unpecedent
ed and unjusti6able
But il very great and serious question whether shall
take upon ourselves the guardianship Of the whole continent
and pledge ourselves for its protection under all circumstances
Have reached such state Of maturity that prepar
ed to take this Of policy Sir, will have to be very
different from which has been heretofore pursued
If determined to make declaration any thing
determined that the indicated shall be pur
sued the entire energies of the country must be put in state
Of preparation.
Sir the subject requires time, and sorry il agi-
a,rdsat this particular afraid il will have
beneficial effect upon relations with the Of the world
The President of the United States has, In his
Congress- made the is made by this
resolution Why not for the present be satisfied with that
announcement Sir, the declaration made by Mr.
a.
many wise heads. did not; but a far younger man
then than present And have heard the negotato of
that period say had very injurious effect upon foreign
Powers One thing certain, led practical benefit
Sir approaching great events, and am afraid we
approaching them with that soemny and orethought
which properly belongs 10 them In my opinion are
standing at uncture where two roads part TO the right
and the left and according decide at this session
of Congress, the future desnies of this country will turn
am for solemn delberaton upon the question Of ecev
ing resolution such this regret that the chairman Of
the Committee Foreign Relations has introduced it,
would rather that the matter should be e where the Pesi
dent has placed and trust that the gentleman will press
the question, any form shape, at the present moment
Mr. ALLEN said he had expectation that the resou
ton would be adopted by the Senate without encounteng
opposition he had supposed that the bare intro
duction Of ii matter for the Senate TO deliberate upon
would be met by decided opposition. II not his
intention go into investigation Of the principle involved
in the resolution, reply TO the suggestions OF the Sena
from South Carolina further than observe that the Sena
certainly in in supposing that because the Pre-
dent had declared the position Of the Government Of the
United States in relation this matter Congress ought
SILENT and leave that declaration unsupported by the
balance OF the Government What would then be the posi-
ton of the The President communicates Congress-
in his message, under the clause of the Constitution
which requires him communicate his views with regard TO
public affairs annually Congresshe communicates the
fact certain having been committed the part of
tain European Powers which he deems sufficiently papabe TO
require the of the principle which he has
nounced In obedience to this requirement of the Constu
ton he has addressed this body and the House of Rpcsen
tatves on the subject And having thus addressed himself
To Congress- under the oath which he has aken and the
stituona obligation which rested upon him, Congress
man totally silent and inactive the subject that silence
will be considered negaon Of the principle laid down by
the President That silence is, in effect, proclamation to
all the Powers of Europe that this Government far the
Legislative branch concerned does not recognise the prnc
pic asserted by the President OF the United States.
Now continued Mr.. A. this is question floating in
the air that any liberty to catch up and bring before
this body ii is question constuonaly presented to by
tho President Of the United States is therefore, substan
tay before Congress- and is before Congress under ccum
stances which will make the silence of Congress amount 10
negaon of the principle laid down by the President
In regard the question what shall be construed to he
such an interference require the Government Of tho Uni
ted States this principle, this will be question for
the solemn debcaon of this body and of the House Of Re
representatives. This will be question which will naturally
arise when this body shall have taken the subject fully under
It's consideration when the various opinions entertained by
members this body may be manifested by propositions TO
amend the resolution But regard to the general principle
laid down by Mr. Monroe, and sanctioned by the public OPT
Mon of the American people for wenyone years, sanctioned
also by the present President his message 10 Congrcsa
TO the propey of this principle believe there can be no hest
aton doubt the part Of the honorable Senator
from South Carolina.