The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-02-05
J.F. MCCLELLAN, Printer.
THE DEBATE IN THE SENATE.


We find 10 the N Y. Journal Of Com
merce. the following brief sketch of an
animated debate in the Senate on Wednes-
day. On the bill to augment the Navy.
which was called up by Mr. Fairfield:
"The general expression of opinion in
the Senate was favorable to the contin-
uance of peace. The war feeling. i there
has been any, is considered an absurdity.
Mr. Fairheld's object was to assign day
for the consideration of the bill, but Mr.
Speight, Mr. Allen, and Mr. Sewer, were
opposed to it, unless it should appear that
we were to have war, in which case
much larger appropriation would be nee.
ess,ry.
1t was said that if the bill was pressed
now, it would be lost. Some wished to
postpone it ill the Oregon Notice Bill
came up, and others 10 lay it upon the la
Bile.
Mr. Yulee, Mr. WestcoU, and Mr. ].
M. Clayton. advocated the bill, as an eco
nomicol mode of increasing the Navy. and
a necessary addition to lis efficiency for
sea coast and harbo. defence, without refs
erence To the question of war or peace.
Mr. J. NJ. Clayton remarked that Mr.
Sewer had expressed the opinion few
weeks ago that war was inevitable. He
would like TO know il the gentleman had
changed his opinion, and for what reason:
but if be was of The same opinion now,
why should he oppose the measure of
preparation ?
Mr. Sewer replied, that he had found
that the Senate would not pass The Notice,
and that nothing would be done TO sustain
the President on the Oregon Question:
AS proof of this, two of the motions OF tho
Chairman of the Committee on Foreign
Affairs had been rejected OF course, if
we took no measures upon the subject
there would be nc war.
Mr. Allen said that Great Britain was
content with the present state Of things 49,
If we did nothing we should enjoy the
fruits of our 'masterly inactivity
Mr. Hannegan would not believe, he said,
that the Notice would fail 10 pass the SEN
ate. He regarded it as the only means by
which peace could be permanently seeur-
ed. He was 10 favor of peace. and there
fore OF The Notice. He was tired of blus-
tering war speeches, and wanted 10 see
some action on this subject. He was in
favor of augmenting the Navy without
reference to war.
Mr. Calhoun va. pleased 10 hear the
sentiments expressed in this debate
File too, like the Senator from Indiana.
was in favor of an honorable peace; and
he was glad 10 learn from the Hon.
Chairman of Foreign Affairs. thai The
mastery inactivity" would maintain
peace. Yes, said MIR Allen, by giving
up every thing.
Mr. Yulee stated that the cost of repairs
Of vessels under the faulty system of con.
slrucIion we had now, had exceeded the
original cost OF construction. In one case
a vessel cost for repairs in three years,
$4,000 more than for construction. By
The plan adopted in This bill. we should
save vast sums. The vessels would be
built by contract, by experienced and skill
uI mechanics out Of our navy yards, Who
would have no interest in prolonglng The
time and increasing the cost. They
would be built for the cost Of materials
and labor; and the material would last
one hundred years, without repairs. The
system, heretofore, had been to colIec. ma
lerials for ship building, which would be
destroyed by the rot, or stolen, These
iron vessels would supply the place Of
these materials. Fle thought the bill
ought 10 pass, without reference TO tbs
question with The Oregon measure. But
he would ask, whether the gentleman
from Ohio, (Mr AIen) would consider
this a war measure; whether he would GO
forward with a notice which he thought
might produce war, with this pallry bill
for three frigo'es. as a scar measure?-
When he prepares for war, he must open
The Treasury, and put in request the re-
sources of the country.
The question being taken, first on MIR
Sewers motion, appointing the l0.h day
of February for the consideration Of the
bill, it was decided in the negative as fol.
lows:
Yeas, 10. Nays &C.
The question was next taken upon Mr.
Fair6eld's motions, appointing Tuesday,
the 9Th, and it was agreed to,