Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-02-26
TWENTY-NINTH CONGRESS-.

WITHOUT giving us an OF IL lie saw MOTH
ing himself in the notice that would produce war.
and the President acting on his responsibility
and with full knowledge ofthe facts and circum-
stances OF the case, had recommended il. lie had
reason to distrust the President. The nation |
had entrusted him with the power, and he would
say to the President exercise your power but do it
at your peril. lie could not shut his eyes to the
fact that the President could, if he choose
age the negotiation to involve US in a war, no
matter what Congress might do But he had no
doubt that the President, well as himself in
favor Of an honorable peace, and would do all he
could TO secure it, lie would not direct the Presi-
dent TO give this notice, but he would enable him to
do il, at his discretion. So far he would 60 and
no farther.
lie held that there was greater danger of provoIS-
ing war by withholding than by giving the notice,
in the form that he proposed. 1t was so consider
ed by the British press, and he read passage from
the Manchester Guardian in support of this view
There was danger, he thought. in continuing occu-
patton. He took it for granted that Congress
would, at this session, pass some Bill for the occu
patton of Oregon,-not the exclusive occupation,
but to give settlers the protection of laws
Looking at that state Of things, he put il to the SEN
ate to say whether it aught to be preceded by the
notice. Conflicting Jurisdiction aud process, and
views-difIerences Of opinion between the Ameri-
can and British settlers--would necessarily produce
a collision. This double-headed government could
not long peaceably exist. The apprehension of
war would continue and increase, and disturb all
our commercial relations. We were nearly on a
par with England in tonnage. We had 700 whale
ships, and vast India trade. Would these ships
be sent out again, after their returnl No The
rate Of insurance would prevent it,
If we did not pass this notice. aud thus facilitate
the adjustment Of the question, the President, feel
ing his recommendation sighted, would leave all
the responsibility upon Congress, and cease to do
any thing on the subject. He would drop all nego-
tiaton and appeal to the peope--and the question
would be settled by parfy-and very soon our pla-
ces would be filled by those who wonld oppose all
compromise; though not by those, he hoped who
as the senator from Ohio had sad would 90 be-
yond the parallel Of 81 40.
He hoped never to see a Congress who would
seek war with England and all other powers. He
wished, after consulting with the senators, to say,
not only TO the people of this country, but the peo
pie Of England that the sentiments yesterday ex-
pressed by the Chairman OF the Committee on For
eign Affairs, Mr. Allen.) viz, "that England dare
not go to war even in the vindication of her Just
rights" &c, &c, were not entertained by one
third Of this body, nor by the Administration nor
By the American people. There was nothing to be
gained by all this Boosting, and this vuperation Of
foreign nations; and undertaking their power and
resources, and exaggerating our own. No brave
man-no prudent man, would commence a contest
by deprecating the strength Of his enemy. More
battles had heen lost by that error than any other.
He concurred with the views presented by Mr.
Cass on this subject, whom, by the way, he said he
did not consider an alarmst because he had point
ed 10 the weakness of our defences. As an answer
to Mr. Aliens statement Of the toeakness Of Eng
land, Mr. c. went into elaborate and minute
comparison of our navy &C., with that of Great
Britain, and even of minor powers We
greatly inferior in naval strength even TO the Pa
cha of Egypt For every 100000 tons of com.
merce, we had 100 guns England $40 guns.
The military marine of Great Britain was now
greater than ever seen in the world. To go to
war, without means obedience, would be wilful mad
ness even if our right to all of Oregon was firmly
established. No matter what provocation we might
have, ought, at least, TO select some other time
for it. The American people would make poor
fight in a bad cause and he called upon the Exec
utve sin the name Of God to take heed" If war
should come, it would be the most destructive ever
witnessed in the world-it would be the very
nva of death. If war should come, the RESPONSE
bity of it would rest on the Executive but on me-
o God, let not the guilt and sin of such war rest
The Senate adjourned over to
Friday, Feb 10. HOUSE-The House was
engaged during short session in the consideration
Of private bills; some were passed and some were
rejected
Saturday. Feb l4.-The proceedings of to-day
in the House were exactly similar TO those Of yes
terday, taken generally.
Mr. Smith Of ILL., presented the proceedings of a
large meeting, held at the seat of Government in
that State accompanied by resolution that the
Committee on Foreign Affairs be instructed to in
quire into the expediency of reporting joint res
olution, directing the President to negotiate with
Spain for the purchase of the Island of Cuba. OBJ
jectons were made from all parts of the House to
its reception, and the mover compelled TO with
draw it.
Feb 10. SENATE.-Mr flanagan ofIndiana
spoke against compromise or arbitration. He vim
dicaed our title to the whole of Oregon, and sup
ported it by reference 10 the authority of Mr. Clay,
who had declared in speech in the Senate that
the title which we derived from Spain was good
against Great Britain up to the nonhermost Span
ish settlement at Nootka Sound in latitude about
so, and good against Russia up 10 So deg; and
further, our title to the whole territory drained by
the waters OF the Columbia river, as derived from
discovery exploration &c, was good against the
whole world He objected to the compromise on
the 49th parallel and declared that he would rather
give up the whole country.
HOUSE.-The day was spent in the presenta.
ton and consideration Of resolutions. Two unsuc
cessiul attempts we're made to order the printing o
Secretary Walkers new Tariff project
W. w. Campbell of N, Y. offered resolution
requiring the p. o. Committee to inquire into the
expedency of making the Deputy Postmasters elect
i've by the people of the District where the Post OF
fee is located; which was adopted without objec
ton.
Mr. Culver of N. Y. asked and obtained leave Il
introduce bill for an augmentation OF the Naya
force of the United Safes, which was twice read
referred TO the Committee of the Whole on tn
State of the Union, and ordered to be printed TIL
hill ms al nrovision for the building and aTmin