The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-16
CON RES SION AL.
SPEECH OF MIR. BREEsE,
OF ILLINOIS,

y The Senate proceeded to the consideration of th'
special order b5.ng the joint resolution of thu
Y Committee on Foreign Relations, proposing tC
Z give notice 10 Great Britain Of the desire Of the
Y Government Of the United States TO snnul and alb
a fogate the treaty for the JOIN, occupancy OF the
Oregon territory, and the resolutions Of Messrs
4 HANsEGAS, CALHOUN, and CRITTESDEs, relating
n 10 the same subject
Mr.. BREEsE, Of Illinois, addressed the Senate
i an follows
Mr.. PHlsIprNr: II is not TO be expected that any
senator rising the present stage Of this debate can
NJ throw much light the important question
before us. Ii has been so deliberately discussed not
oay In these halls but by the public press throughout
II tho country that II Is now scarcely possible to In
u vest II with interest, or urge topics with which
y the Senate and the country are not already familiar
n Il had excited and Justly too, throughout every part
u Of our widely extended Union, the most earnest at
tenuon Of the whole American people. Probably,
J no question since we had become nation, had
aroused so strong an interest this has, and none,
probably, has been more ably debated. The nation
| awaits with intense anxiety the decision Of Con.
sress and the eyes Of all now turned to the sc-
| uou Of the Senate The Executive has done wha
belonged to him in the matter, and the House Of
Representatives his performed duty. II now on
ly remains for the Senate 10 perform It's duty, by
! oonsummsting the action OF both.
Ii is, Mr. President, in view Of the great interest
j the State from which | come has in this question,
and IN obedience TO an overriding sense Of duty
to Il, that am now prompted TO address the Sen
\ as ] did not know, sir, unul this morning, that
j the general assembly Of my State had, at It's last
session, adopted the resolutions just presented by
J my colleague, Mr. SEMPLK, and read by the Sec
j rotary. 1 was aware, sir, that two years since,
similar resolutions bad been adopted and present
Cd here; and two years since, II was my duty and
my pleasure, here in my place, to respond to them,
and to express the views then entertained of the
subject, and of the obligations resting upon Con-
gress to carry out the wishes Of that State, and
hose Of other States who had conveyed here SINH
lar expressions Of the public will. These resolu-
uons sir, read here al this moment, but strengthen
me in the discrimination | had formed to vote for
some resolution to annul and abrogate the conven-
ions of 1918 and 1927, and TO follow 1t up, by
pressing such other measures should place our
cltizens beyond the Rocky mountains under the
protection Of laws; incorporate the country into
our Union; protect the emigrant on his way to It's
fertile plains, and pledge to all who seek them the
honor and faith of the government that they shall
be made secure in their possessions by perfect
grants of land at the earliest period within the COM
pctency Of the government TO act consistent with
treaty stpulations. And cannot but hope that
my conduct in these regards will be approved by
the State of Illinois, whose will and feelings and
opinions take pleasure in rejecting.
In that Snte, sir, there is but one opinion; nay,
SIR in the entire northwest, far am informed,
land | have paid much attention to the manifesto
lions of the public mind, y there lie no difference Of
opinion upon II. 10 not think sir, that any par
W, or any respectable portion Of any party, is OPP
posed to prompt and immediate action by Congress,
to terminate what all feel and believe to be an in
convenient and injudicious relation between this
and foreign country, affecting, as It does, 80 dis
astrously, many important national interests. They
not sir, for "wise and mastery inactivity"
whatever mic hit have been its virtue in times past,
they think the time has arrived for action, prompt
and decided; and in this, sir, concur with them
most heartily; and with the favor Of the Senate
will give some reasons, briefly as may, for their
and my opinions.
do not intend, Mr. President, to enter upon a
discussion ofthe relative merits of the various prop
ositons now on your table, by which the first OBJ
ject is sought to be attained. | will not contrast or
compare them or attempt to point out the difference
between them Suffice it to say, that my preference
for that form which shall in the most direct man.
ner effect the object desired. Nor will discuss the
important propositions contained in the resolutions
fine senator Of Indiana, [Mr HANNEGAN] or the
substitute for them presented by the senator OF
South Carolina, Mr. CALHOUN believing, as do
that is unnecessary, at this time, to express an
opinion upon them. At present, we have only to
do with the naked question of the proprlety of civ.
ing notice to Great Britain of our desire to annu
and abrogate convention the benefits of which are
wholly upon the side of Great Britain, and which
stands in the way Of the free and untrcmmelled &C.
ton Of this government upon an integral part of oui
national domain, to which many thousands Of our
citizens have pushed their enterprise, but who are
without the efficient protection Of this government
and It's laws.
Nor do intend Bir, In the view shall take Of
this subject, to go into extended and labored dis
cusson of the title of the United States to the
try west of the Rocky mountains, nor date upon
Its beauties and advantages, though by no means
believe such a discussion is inappropriate; nor
would desire to restrain senator's, on either side
from full and free expression of their opinions
upon the question of title 1t is true sir the pro-
prety of the notice at this time is the only ouesi
ton bcfore the Senate; yet the title is necessarily
mingled with II, and forms an important element in
the debate, for Ii the United States have no valid
o,e to the country covered by the convention, II
may we'll be contended, a notice 10 terminate II
would be impoitt and un%se. Two years ago
Dir, when this subject was before the Senate, the
title was discussed more less, | think, by every
speaker; and what ia worthy of note, not senator
was then found expressing doubt of the validity
Of the American title. Now, after two years of in
vestigation and reflection, do hear sir, occasion
ally, some doubts expressed Of its validity. | en-
terrain none myself and if did, should solve
them FOR my country Then, sir, objections were
urged against giving the notice at that tre for the
reason that we had invited renewal Of negotia
uens W tn view TO d Anal adjustment of the con
troversy, and that special envoy, at our instance
had been sent here by Great Britain to conduc
them on her part, and that 1t would be dscourteous
at such moment, and under such circumstances, tc
give the notice; and it further SAID that, at tina
time, and in the then aspect Of affairs might be
the consequence Of our action. At the present SEES
sron, have heard, sit, from the only senator who
has spoken 10 the question on the other side Of the
chamber Mr. j. NJ, CLAYTON, that the notice
would not lead to war; but, on the contrary, that II
would be preservatve peace; that it is measure
tending to peace, and important to be given as {
means of preserving that relation between two grea
and powerful nations; at the same time giving 1t ii
his opinion that the question Of title should be dis
cussed with closed doors-thereby imply wing, there
might be some obscurity resting upon it, which /
would he prudent not TO EXPOSE before the world.
As have stated, MIR President, | do not pro
pose TO 20 at length into the discussion of our title
After the very able arguments of the senators o
New York Mr. DIX and Mr.. D1cuNsoN1 upor
this branch Of the subject by which the Senate ant
the country were so much edited few days since
for me to attempt to add to their force and poin
would be "vsstefu and ridiculous excess
shall not attempt il, sir; and | throw myself upor
the indulgence Of the Senate merely for the pur
pose Of presenting some principles Of public law
2 - o.