The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-18

and behosts Of Old England in the matter. We
were desired 10 look TO the arrival Of British
steamers, because II was supposed that the IN
telligenee which they would bring from Eng
land would have direct bearing on the event
Of peace or war between the two countries;
and because 1T was necessary that we should
know what they were about in England, for
fear that, in the absence Of that knowledge, we
might involve the country in war, and break the
concord that existed between the two nations. But
now II seems that all Of that ardent sympathy which
superinduced such an overweight desire TO main
tain good understanding with Great Britain Is sur
rendered. We were told that in the event Of war
between the Two countries, would not only dis
turb the peace Of the world, but interrupt that har-
monlous intercourse between the two countries
which contributed so materially TO their mutual adj
vantage. But now, on another subject, the arrival
Of British steamer, bringing with II the announce
ment Of the expectations OF the British government,
is given rs a reason why the course OF American
legislation should be arrested because it may, per-
chance, prejudice tho harmonizng free trade which
was announced 10 US a few months ago as being so
essential to the prosperity of the people of the coun
try | was never IN love with British steamers, and
never legsated by their arrival or departure. And
do not rise now for the purpose OF saying that the
senator from Massachusetts is wrong in the ntima-
ton thatwe should not shape legislation 10 suit
| the views and wishes Of the British cabinet do
not say that he is wrong rise only for the purpose
Of marking the fact, that but few months ago the
| Of British steamers from very opposite motive.
| Then we had question about territorial boundary
pending. Then we must pause TO learn what In
diligence British steamers would bring. until some
Of the newspapers said had better have our ses-
sions on board the steamers, so that could more
promptly shape legislation according to the
shif,ings OF British opinion. Sir, l believe that
in this matter as in the other case, ought TO act
utterly irrespective Of the leg slaon Of Great Britain
that ought 70 act only in reference TO the gen
| eral good Of the great body Of the American peo-
pie, taking no heed Of what may be said or done on
the other side Of the water, but acting uniformly In
| that spirit Of Independence in which our fathers
acted when they declared their Independence.
| Mr.. WEBSTER. Mr.. President, l.
| Mr.. BAGBY. desire to know what is the
PRESIDENT. Il is motion to print memo
rial presented by the senator from Pennsylvania for
| the use Of the Senate.
Mr.. BAGBY Is that debatabel
| Mr.. WEBSTER. Certainly, sir. | was about to
| remark, Mr.. President when | was interrupted,
that far as | can understand the observations OF
the honorable member from Ohio, must say that
| they do not appear 10 be marked by that singulany
strong logical deduction which generally character
| ICES his arguments. The gentleman seems to sup
pose that It Is important-or that | deemed Il i'm
| portant by what means news OF some magnitude or
| importance Is brought to us from England-wheth-
| er II comes by steam, whether 1t is telegraphed
| from Boston. ! should imagine that the gentleman
would hardly suppose that its being despatched by
telegraph was anything more than stating the rapid
| ty with which II was conveyed TO u.s. and that the
important thing was that in the judgment Of that
distlng slshed man, the late first minister in Eng
| land, the eyes Of England all turned at the
present moment TO the proceedings Of Congress upon
this tariff subject. Well IL that be So il is because
the people Of England have an interest in that ques-
| ton. Now, sir, the honorable member thinks that
| received news respecting the Oregon matter by
the steamer with very different feeling Undoubted.
| y did. There was then national question pending
| between US and England. England had one side OF
the question and we had the other; and as my own
anxiety was for peace, was Of course DESTROYS 10
know by every arrival whether the progress Of opn-
ion in Engand-the state Of public opinion and the
| sentiments Of the British government, far
known, were such as we might expect--a settle
ment OF the controversy upon terms favorable to
ourselves That was an International matter. There
we're two sides TO it. We could not make treaty
alone. | confess, therefore, that | awaited
the arrival OF every steamer with anxiety
because l wish for peace with England
honorable Peace-permanent peace; because | anx-
iously looked to the moment when that state OF
| things should exist between and England that
has not existed before since the "stamp actn-that
is state Of peace, and with no cause Of QUARREL
for, from the time Of passing the stamp act till the
18th Of June last, we have been without the
pendency Of some cause OF controversy with Eng
land. wished to see the last of these matters set
tied. had the qualification Of seeing it settled. |
had the qualification Of seeing the relations Of the
two countries placed upon permanent basis Of
national friendship, peace, and harmonious inter-
course. Now, is there any analogy between that
case and my desire to know the feelings Of tho Brit
ish government and the British people in regard to
this case, which is a question Of domestic poll
cy in which we are bound to consider exclusively
| the interests OF our own people, and in which Eng
land has right to interfere'-for this an Amer-
can question. will only say that II does seem TO
me that if some politicians in this country had had
the opinions upon questions Of American policy as
much quoted commended, printed, and distributed,
in England, as others of our public men have had
theirs quoted, printed, and distributed, l am Of
opinion that there would have been prejudice
| cited against them by the general voice of the
country as being in some sort submissive to Brit
tsh interests ! don't mean to say It is So ! don't
think 1t is so. do not mpute any such sentiments
to any gentleman here or elsewhere; but | say my
honorable colleague the other day proved that this
question was one of preference to be had between
English labor and American labor-bctween
English employment and American employment
Well, then, do say, that when in the pen
dency OF such question here within these walls,
there comes such news from England, and a
i very contrary voice from Pennsylvania and the la
boring people of this country, it is extraordinary
conjuncture of circumstances; and am sure the hon.
| orable member from Ohio will think it is so.
repeat that accuse nobody-far from it--of having
any disposition to postpone the best interest of our
| der heaven. But must speak Of measures accord
ing to their character and tendency; and in questions
| between and our great manufacturing rivals we
cannot shut our eyes and ears to what we see and
hear of the opinions Of these rivals. do not wish
| to pursue these observations, which are somewhat
irregular Another more fitting opportunity will
occur.
| Mr.. SPEIGtIT then moved that the further con-
sideraton Of the subject be postponed until to-mor-
row, in order to resume the consideration of the
| treasury note bill.
The PRESIDENT said that the question pending
was upon the printing the document.
Il Mr.. SEWER wished to give it the same direction
which the petition presented the other day by the
i gentleman from Massachusetts, had received
i Mr.. WEBSTER. Certainly.
Il The motion to print was then referred to the Com
mittee on Printing.
REPORTS FROM coMMITTEEs--PAYMENT or yoLUN-
Il TIERS.
Il Nh. LEWIS, from the Committee on Finance.
reported back, without amendment, the (Housel