American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper., 1846-01-28
lRepoIted for the American Republican
First SESSION of the goth CUNGREss.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 1916.
SENATE.


The Chair presented communication from
tho Commissioner Of Public Buildings, asking
10 have some clerical error corrected.
Mr.. Allen presented petition from Bonj.
Grcen, asking pay for certain extra services
performed in Mexico.
Mr., Archer presented suudry petitions from
Pennsy ivan'a, IN regard 10 a change in the |
Naturalization Laws.
Mr.. Breeso, from the committee on Public
Lands, reported bill providing for the dispo-
sition Of the mineral lands containing lead ore
Mr.. LCwis, by leave, introduced bill fort
the reliot OF Charles G. Page, and Examiner of
Patents, allowing hin to take out letters pa-
Sent.
Mr.. Websci's resolution call on the Presi-
dent TO communicate his adyices with regard
to Oregon, came up in ITS order aud was read.
MIR Sewer desired the Senator from Massa-
chuso!ts to postpone it for Il day or two.
Mr.. Webster had no objection lIo only
wanted such information as was necessary and
proper, and he wanted it as early as might he
in view of the debate soon to occur The SEN
ator from Michigan had sand there were des-
patches. lie would call it up day after to-mor-
row.
On motion Of Mr. Ashley, the bill in refer
ence TO the Texas mail, was taken up and pas
sed.
Mr.. Fairfield then moved to take up Senate
Bill No. Al, in reference to the construction of
ten steamers. The bill having been read, MIR.
Fairfield took the floor, and began by urging
the measure as necessary for the peace estab-
ilshnent; bat very soon, leaving this ground,
Mr. +. launched into rabid war speech, in
which he talked about the rotten monarchies
OF Europe and the down-trodden millions, SC.
&c. But Maine had some real, existing grlev-
ances, to complain of against England. The
fishing vessels of Maine were constantly pounc-
ed upon and carried in TO the ports of Nova
Scotia to be condemned by u petty provincial
court. by the convention, our vessels were
allowed to fish within three miles Of the shore;
this was plain provision it would seem, and
no difference, it would appear, could possibly
grow out of it. But what was the fact?-why
this three miles is estimated by drawing a
straight line from one cape or head-land to an
other, and thus excluding our fishermen from
the indentations and bays along the shore,
where some of the best fisheries were found;
and our vessels, under this construction, were
seized fifteen miles from the shore. Again and
again had this been demonstrated against, but
the remonstrances were treated with neglect
1t was thought that by the Washington (or as
it was sometimes called the Ashbur,on) Trea-
ty, we had right to the free navigation of the
st. Johns, but what was the fact here? The
authorities of New Brunswick had put heavy
tax upon all lumber brought down the Saint
Johns, whether cut on the British or Ameri-
can side, but then to compensate the provin-
cial lumbermen for this tax, they were allowed
to cut the timber on tho Crown lands without
any fee for stumpage, thus giving them the ad-
vantage of the original cost of the timber over
our lurnbermen. Our title to the whole of Or
egon up to 81. 40 was so clear, that the Ame-
Ilcan who denied it had a weak head or an un-
patriotic heart. Three times we had offered to
compromise, and three times had our proffers
been refused. l.berality and concession was
met with illiberalty and grasping obstinacy.
Nothing was lett for US in this dispute with
Nreat Britain, but assent with disgrace, or dis
sent with war.
Mr.. Benton next rose, and opposed the en-
tire bill. He had made no war speech this ses-
sion-he saw no reason for making any. He
opposed this bill distinct on the ground that it
was war measure. We were brouoht to a
point where words are to tell. He would not
consent to say to the people of this country
and the world thst we were on the eve of war.
He would use 10 oquivocal action. Mr. b
went into minute statement of tho gradually
increased expense of the Naval establishment,
and concluded his speech by moving a post
pOnement OF this bill to the lst Of May.
Mr.. Dickinson replied to Mr.. Benton, and
made an ''old granny war speech.
Mr.. Hanneg4n repcIled with great warmth
tlo charge Of MI Fairf,ld that he acted with