The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1846-02-19

as they did, against the notice and against
the bill at that particular time. The gentle
man goes ON to say:
"Indeed, sir, this whole proceeding is, in
my judgment, eminently calculated to i'm
pede and embanass the negotiations in
which the twolgovernments are employed.
We have received authentic assurances that
these negotiations have not yet failed, that
they are still in progress, and that COM
munication in regard to them may be expect
ed from the Executive before the close OF
the present session. Why not wait for this
communication? Why insist on taking any
steps in the dark, when, in few weeks, at
the most, we shall be able to act advisedly,
and to see clearly, the ground on which we
are treading."
That sir, was the reason urged then by
that gentleman, and BY several other gentle
men, why this bill should not be passed, and
why this resolution should not be passed
because negotiations were going on, and
because new President had been elected
and this negotiation would, in all probability
be again opened; and it was folly, disrespect,
and madness, then to proceed so far in rela-
ton 10 this matter when the proper authori-
ties had it under consideration. And with
this view, many persons voted against the
notice. Again, the gentleman says:
"Sir, the reckless fippancy with which
war is spoken of in this House, and else
where, as thing to be 'let come rather
than wait for the issue of negotiations, is
deserving, in my judgment of the severest
rebuke and reprobation from every Christian
patriot and statesman. say let 1t not come,
let it nerer come, if any degree of honorable
patience and forbearance will avertit. Ipro-
test against any course of proceedings which
shall invite or facilitate its approach"
Thus that honorable gentleman goes on to
give the reasons why he should vote against
the notice, at the last session of Congress-
He says further:
81 agree with him [Mr. A. V. Brown in
his two principal positions. concur with
him, first, in the opinion that it is inexpedient
for US to terminate the convention of joint
occupation until negotiations have been still
longer pursued"
Again, he says:
"It is now fully we'll understood that there
are as good lands on this side of the Rocky
mountains, as ON the other, so far, at least as
the country north of the 42d deg. of latitude
is concerned"
Here, he passes eulOgy upon a certain
distinguished individual now in the other
branch of the national legislature:
"Mr. Webster has dared to preserve the
peace of the country by abating something of
our extreme territorial claims on the north
east, and he has earned the gratitude of all
good citizens by doing So"
wonder, MIR. Chairman, what gentlemen
from Maine, and from all the east, and north
east, will say as to the gratitude" due TO
that distinguished individual?
Now, Mr.. Chairman, undertake to say
that that was the reason, as before observed,
why this bill was not passed at tho last sos-
sion of Congress-because this negotiation
was then pending. Now, we have the asser-
ton of the President of the United States,
and we have the correspondence between
Mr.. Buchanan, and Mr.. Calhoun, and the
British minister on His subject, and we are
perfectly certain that no negosiation on this
subject can now be had. What, then, is our
casef What course is it necessary for us to
pursue? Why, these very gentlemen are
willing that we should take up to the line of
40 deg; and still they are afraid of war if
we give the notice. Well, put this question
to the gentleman from Virginia, [Bayly,] who
spoke few days ago, and whose speech has
made so much elimination and recriminaton
in thishall: You will go for 40 deg; pass the
notice to that effect, and where is the offer of
Great Britain to assent to that line? There
is none; she never has made the offer
Well; is she going to back out with this
notice and take 40 deg? I ask gentlemen
to answer that question. We have offered
49 deg; she has utterly refused it.; and now
you are willing to give the notice and take
forcible possession up to AZ deg. Would
the gentleman from Virginia answer him2
Mr.. LEAKE was understood to say that he
was not for the notice, whether we took after
it up to 49 deg. or to Sd degrees 40 minutes.
Mr.. SAWYER continued. Well, some of
the gentlemen have been in favor of the no.
tice, and for assuming jurisdiction to some
extent; willing to give the notice, and take
forcible possession up to 49deg. Does not
the same difficulty arise here as if we took
up to, Sd deg. 40 min? 1t must, or else the
English will back out; and if you go to fight
ing for it from the mouth of the Columbia
to 40 deg might you not as well include the
whole and fight forit? l think SO. If we
believe the country to be ours, let us take
possession Of it, and let us defend and keep
it at all hazards
Sir, there is branch of the subject that
| shall now notice that is worthy Of consi-
deration. The gentleman from Virginia,