The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-05

pred. To suppose 90, would be 10 suppose that
the executive branch Of The gosersmont~ss alto
gether unmndful Of the duty which Il owed 10 the
American people. Il would be 10 suppose that the
British government was altogether indifferent 70 the
question OF peace DC war a. between herself and
dis nation. How many gentleman have entered
into arguments 10 show the powerful interests which
operated upon the British government, and which
made &c pre- emnenlly her object 10 avoid war Could
u be supposed that the President before communlea-
ung such message as he had transmitted this
meneement of this session, had not forward
letter OF instruction 10 the Distinguished individual
who now represented thus country the court OF ST
James, Did not the President foreses that the mes
sage would create powerful excitement on the
English nationi that II would have great influence,
for good or for evil, either in preserving peace or Az
provoking wal? And did he not write or cause the
Secretary OF Stale TO write, 10 the American minister
Instructions how he should bear himself in regard
all that might occur IN England upon this question:
IL Was absurd 10 suppose that he had not done so.
He believed that thls House. before being called
upon 10 vote, had right TO see these instructions
| The House itself had so determined. What were
| thsyl What was their character Did any man
imagine that Sir Robert Peel, charged as he was
with the interests OF great nation, would not, be-
fore he determined on the action which il was prop
er for The English government to lake upon the quss-
ton as now presented, seek Interview with the
representative Of the American government that he
would not put inte.rogatories To him In regard 70
the true state OF the question, and see wheth-
er there was not a possibility Of adjusting the
difficulty; or whether the English government
was to be called upon Immediately TO throw itself
upon the last resort, to maintain those rights which
that minister himself announced, AFTER the inaugu-
raj message had been received, England had. and
which IL was his determination, and the determina-
ton OF Parliament to maintain Could any man
suppose that the American minister was lef
without instructions TO the he should pur-
sue' Or that he would not send back 10 his govern
ment information as TO anything which might have
ranspred from that state Of things' No man OF
sense could doubt 1t. Il was fact as certain as
fact could be- IL was no matter OF conjecture II was
an undoubied truth. Had not this House a right
to know alp The resolution calling for information
| was passed with the usual reservation of compati-
| bility with the public interests. Why then had
had not this information been communicated More
than week ago, similar resolution was passed by
| the Senate. He had not learnt that any response
had been made TO IT, Had negotiations been resumed
Had that delicate point ofhonor which was supposed
10 have resulted from the manner in which the nego-
lations had been brought a close been overcome
| Had any propositions been submitted by the
British government II So what was their character
Had not the House right to know all this before
It acted Had they not right To know everything
touching the interests Of their constituents and Of
the nation committed to their keeping Ought they
not, before taking action a resolution which was
the hrst Of a series Of measures recommended by
| the President for the assertion and maintenance Of
our rights to the whole Of Oregon. 10 know what
the precise state Of things was' Could they deter
mine wisely and properly whether the action which
they were invited TO take calculated TO lead to
peaceful adjustment OF the controversy; or whether
Its tendency was not rather to produce war without
knowing the true attitude OF the question: He main
tanned that the House should not be required 10 nc,
until all these facts had been communicated.
Before he proceeded TO discuss the question at is
sue before the committee, he would inquire Of the
distinguished chairman Of the Committee on For
eign Affairs, Mr.. G. J. IsoIRsoLl,l whether he
was now prepared TO say, with the same degree OF
Positiveness which had characterized his former
declaration, that no correspondence had taken place
between the two governments, or the representa-
tives Of the two governmental
Mr.. c. J. iNGERSoLL rose To explain.
And the floor having been yielded for the pur-
Mr.. INGERSOLL said he did not recollect tina,
| he bad said anything the subject before He
rather thought he had said nothing. He meant to
say that on that point he rather thought he had said
| nothing.
He would now say that recently he believed some
correspondence had taken place between the British
i minister and the Executive Of the United STATES,
which would be laid before the House without de-
Hay.
As tn instructions he was not aware that the Pres
ident had been called upon to give any.
Mr.. GENTRY proceeded. My opinions, then,
are sustained by the revelation made by the chair
man of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in
my judgment, they will be sustained to the full ex-
tent whenever we have an opportunity TO know all
the facts. The future will develop these facts, and
defer 10 that time much that would like to say.
| do not feel authorized to express my views upon
all that has transpired in relation this great uues
ton For it, despite Of all efforts to avert it, war
does come, it will be the duty Of every man. whether
IN public or private station, to sustain the constituted
authorities of The country, far may be necessa
ry TO enable them to bring the contest to honora-
| BILE and glorious termination.
After passing alluson to the charges which had
been made by supporters Of the administration,
that the war waged on this floor was not for Ore
gon, but to put down one presidential asprant and
to put up another; denounciDg paltry, contempt
BILE and unpatrioIic, such motives Of action the
part Of high public functionares; and declaring that
II such was the basis Of action on the part of any
such person there ought to be "a whip Of scorpions
placed IN every honest hand, to lash the rascal
naked through the world" Mr. G.. proceeded to
say that he believed if Congress were to take the
curse which wisdom would point out, they would
adjourn this debate as well as all action of every kind
until at least The first of May June, even If they
did not adjourn it until the next session. BY so
doing, they might obtain lights, which now they did
not possess; and deliberately take such course az
woHld be best calculated to maintain the rights OF
the nation. Where was the necessity for this pre-
cipi'ate actionl How would the rights of the ma.
ton lie jerardized by a postponement of the vote
upon the resolution, which was administration
measured All he proposed to say was in reference
to this particular measure, because it the meas
ure Of the administration. Ii had been reported by
committee composed Of majority of members
who we're the friends and supporters the admins
tration. And similar resolution had been proposed
at the other end Of the Capitol. II was then an ad-
ministraton measure. All questions connected with
the management OF our foreign relations ought to
be placed beyond the scope OF party views and par
ty considerations He regretted therefore the
sity which would compel him to oppose the admin
istration on this question II he believed that the
system Of measures recommended by the Ex-
ecuive TO be such as were best calculated o
assert the rights Of the nation, to defend il, honor,
and At the same time to preserve its peace, he would
take nexpressible pleasure in supporting them.
On what ground was the adoption of the resolu-
ton urgedi 1t was said to be indispensaby neces-
sary in order to bring the difficulty az to this terri
tory to speedy and peaceful adjustment. How was it
TO produce that effect Had not England already
sufficient proof of the that aha do