The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-07

would be renewed in the form in which he has now
l produced il again. >
1 stated, the other day, that the war commenced
with Great Britain in the year 1912; that had been
al that time three years absent from the country IN
the service OF the nation; that had been SO ~
situation assigned me by MIR. Madison on the
1 very day on which he took the oath Of Office az
President of the United States in that chair (pont
ing to the Speakers chair,) in the chair which
then corresponded TO III and that whilst absent, had
been supporting, so far as was in my power those
measures Of his administration which led 10 the
war. II was my fortune, during that time, 20 be
placed in opposition not only to Great Britain but
TO France, AT two different periods; and during that
time, during these three years Of than administration
! placed in the position Of supporting the later
ests and the honor OF my country--hrst, against
France, with whom the Emperor Of Russia was al
that time in close alliance and next, against Great
Britain, the state of things having then changed
Russia having became the enemy OF France and the
ally of Great Britain.
The question of peace or war therefore, was deter
mined altogether independently OF any action oi
mine Within the same week that a declaration OF
war against Great Britain was made by the United
States, declaration of war also made against htT
| by France. found myself then representative OF
this country at war with Great Britain, and Great
Britain ally Of the Emperor Alexander. Under
these circumstances my duty to support The in
terests OF my country against that ally-which did
TO the utmost extent Of my power, the records
IN the archives Of the Department Of Stale will
show.
| Shortly after war had been declared the Chan
cellor Romanzoh sent 10 me requesting an interview,
He then said TO me that by the express direction OF
the emperor Alexander, he had applied to mei that
the emperor had seen with deep regret that at the
moment he was entering into close alliance with
Great Britain Great Britain and the United States had
gone TO with another; thar he though such
war would be very injurious TO him and that il would
also be injurious TO the United States. He then sta
ted that the emperor had directed him TO inquire
from me, whether lac should offer his mediation be-
tween the United States and Great Britain; and that
| If il would be accepted by the United States such
was his intention. Then il was that made the oh
servations to Chancellor RomaHzoT-parI Of which
the gentleman read. | stated to him that was not
and could not be, authorized TO say that the govern
ment of the United States would accept the media
lion; but that that government had entered upon the
war with great reluctanee; that they, as well n,
yourself, believed that the result OF the war would
be advantageous to neither party; and that, in my
opinion, the mediation Of the Emperor Alexander
would be accepted by the government of the United
States and that ] was ready Immediately to com
municate to my government the offer that had beer
made, which thought would be accepted, inasmuct
as the unanimous opinion Of the people Of the Uni
ted States was, that the sooner the war was end
ed, the better II would be for both parties. Tha
was the amount Of what the gentleman from South
Carolina says he considers opinion on my par
in opposition TO the war. Under the circumstance
in which the offer was made, leave it to the i'm
partial opinion of all mankind, whether such AZ
inference can be drawn from what said on tina
occasion.
The United States and Great Britain were then a
war The Russian government furnished me with
a neural cartel by which this communication coulC
he made to the United States government as soon a
possible. Passports were obtained from the British
admiral; but when the offer made to Grea
Britain, which the Chancellor Romanzoff told m,
was made precisely at the time as to the Untet
States, Great Britain, is well Known declined tn
mediation. But the communication was made Il
the President of the United States, and on the par
Of the United States the mediation was accepted
Have not right to infer that the immediate anc
grateful acceptance Of the mediation of the Empero
Alexander on the part of the United States wal
proof that the President and Congress were opposed
TO the war; for III was proof against me, take i
for granted it was proof against Mr.. Madison ant
his cabinet, and against Congress, which supported
the measures he took on that occasion. They &C
cepted the medation; and not only So but immedi
ately afterwards commission Of three citizens of thu
United States, of which was one, was appointed
by the President with the advice and consent of III,
Senate; and that commission sent to the Empero
Alexander, in consequence Of this proposal for me
diation. The three commissioners ALDER
lGalatin, then Secretary Of the Treasury, James A
Bayard, then conspicuous and distinguished mem
Der of the Senate, and mysef
These re nilemen came to st. Petersburg unde
the expectation that it possible that the govern
ment of Great Britain might have accepted the me
diation. But the government of Great Britain, as
have said, declined it. In doing so, however, it de
clarcd itself ready and willing to negotiate either
London, or in any neutral country, for the conclu
sion Of peace. In consequence of this, the PROPOSE
ton on the part Of Great Britain accepted; two
additional commissioners were appointed, and ne
gotiated under the mediation of the Emperor Alex
ander and peace was concluded in the neutral ter
rory of Client This in matter which, ignoran
as the gentleman from South Carolina avows him
self to be fmy course, presume he, well the
rest Of the country, is acquainted with. There il
no child of twelve years of age that ever had spell
ing book in his hand, that is not acquainted with it
The substance Of the charge now brought against
me Is, not that was opposed to the war when il
was declared, but that j contributed to the concu
sion Of the peace. What the nature of that peace
was, is well known to the country. ] have never
seen heard Of any extensive dissatisfaction with
it; and believe it was generally hailed as satisac
tory in this country, well to the other party tc
the war.
Among the other articles of the treaty, there was
one which stipulated for the restoration of certain
saves--for compensation for taking and carrying
them away. After the close Of the war, Great Brit
ain called upon to make satisfaction and nden.
nifty to the suferers--of course citizens of the
South. So well satisfied was the government of the
| United States with the proceedings of It's commits
soners, that as of them, nominated by
Mr.. Madison, and confirmed by the Senate, as min
| lister Of the United States to Great Britain. And
there it was my fortune TO be obliged to maintain
the rights Of sufferers by the taking and carrying
away of slaves, against The positive denial Of the
British government that any obligation of the kind
rested upon them was for two years minister
there; and defended and maintained those parts Of
the treaty which stipulated for this compensation
against the whole power and reasoning of the Brit
ish ministry and cabinet. | speak, sir, of matters
which stand on the records OF this nation-which
are to be found in all the public documents OF
that period in which the correspondence ia contain
ed. gay that, during these two years, main
tanned the cause Of the South. And if gentlemen
will allow me to say il, l maintained their cause in
such way az to receive from southern men, and
from public meetings. expressions of their gratitude
for the service had rendered During these two
years this question not settled. The two high
contracting parties differed entirely in their consruc-
ton Of the article in relation 10 the restitution Of
slaves--of compensation for colored properly-in
the treaty of peace.