The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-16
TwENTY-NINTH CONGRESS,
First Session.
IN SENATE
THUAspAr, April l6, ls46.
The journal having been read,

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log the passage Of law for the preservation Of
growing timber and fruit trees in the said county
which referred 10 the Committee on the District
of Columbia.
Mr.. CAMERON presented the petition of citizens
Of Philadelphia, praying modification Of the patent
laws; which was referred 10 the Committee on Pat
entS and the Patent Office.
Mr.. C. also presented the petition of persons en-
gagged in literary and scientific pursuits and in the
importation and publication Of books, praying the
repeal Of the duty imposed on scientific works inn
ported into the United States, when the same are
not republished, either in whole or in part; which
was referred 10 the Committee on Finance.
GENERAL ORDERS or THE DAY.
The report Of the Committee on Printing in re-
laon TO printing the report Of the Commissioner Of
Patents was passed over informally, at the sugges
ton Of Mr.. ASHLEY.
The resolution submitted by Mr.. JARNAGIN,
in relation 10 the disbursement Of the secret service
found was also passed by informally, at the sugges
uon OF the mover.
APPROPRIATIONS BILL.
The appropriation bill was called up, and
| Mr. EVANS suggested that it be laid over unu
Monday.
| Mr. WESTCoTT stated he was absent when
this bill was called up on Yesterday morning, and
did not get to the Senate till few moments after
the bill passed by I'LL to-day, to enable him TO
explain the amendment, making an appropriation
not exceeding SIC 900 IN full for all RrrearageS OF
expenses OF the legislature Of Florida Territory,
Understanding the bill nigh come up yesterday, his
absence oceasloned by his being engaged IN
procuring the precise details Of the amounts unpaid
for which this appropriation was wished, 50 as
TO satisfy the Senate Of its justice. He would sub
| nit them to the Senate when the bill should be con-
sidered again. but he preferred It should be laid
| over to-day.
Mr.. LEWIS suggested that the bill be laid over
1 -.
sit; which was agreed TO.
| NAVAL BUREAUN.
The bill to change the distribution OF duties
among the several naval bureaux was next an
nounced, when
| Mr.. ARCHER moved that it be passed over, and
that the Senate proceed to the consideration Of the
special order; which motion was agreed to.
| SPECIAL okDER-"rHE NOTICE"
Mr.. CRITTENDEN addressed the Senate. He
was sensible that Notwithstanding the importance
Of the subject, and the ability with which it was
discussed the Senate could hear with but little salts.
faction his remarks. But having had the honor OF
submitting the resolution now before the body, he
felt 1t TO be his duty to speak briefly possible,
and in a matter little irksome the Senate as IN
his power. The immediate question was, that OF
giving or Withholding the "nouce" and he there
fore did not feel necessary TO enter into any mInue
analysis Of the claims Of the respective parties in this
controversy Mr. G. then buAy sketched the
progress Of the negotiations the subject, and the
repeated failures to settle line Of boundary dividing
the possessions Of the two parties in Oregon. 1t
was to be regretted in his opinion, that the question
had been agitated at the present time. Had It
been allowed to slumber, the territory would grad
ually have been settled by emigrants from the
United States, thus creating power on the spot
Of great importance IN maintaining possess On, and
| also constituting an important fact which would
have exercised influence any future nego-
tlatIons. But the question had been agitated. Ii
had been thrown into the arena Of political dis
cussion and party conflict. He denounced the
conduct of the Baltimore convention in making the
first decided attempt at the introduction of thus ques
tion element Of party controversy. The sub
ject had then been thus agitated. 1t must be dis
posed of, and the question was, it to be dis
posed of in the manner recommended by the Presl.
dent The objection to the notice that II would
not facilitate negotiation and might possibly be
looked upon an unfriendly proceeding, ard as
diminishing the chances Of friendly relations be-
tween the two countries But, in ITSELF the "notce
was not an unfrendy proceeding. 1t was purely
a conventional step; we had presidents for such a
notice II right, as it was the right Of Eng
land to give it. But although not of itself hostile
proceeding, il might be made to assume a color OF
defiance; il might derive a character of hostility
from the circumstances in which it is given. How,
then, could it be said TO be warlike or diminish the
chances of peace But after giving the notice in
the most amicable way; after taking all precautions,
we might fail in the negotiation, and might en-
sue Well if such should happen, that would not
be the fault of the notice. but Of the l-temper and
bad spirit in which parties approached negotiation.
For thirty years, all their attempts had been mere
failures all that had been said mere verbiage, to-
| wards settling this question. And was not that
likely to continue to be the result of perpetual
ton Of that conventionl Would the other par
ty ever agree to line To negotiate under
shelter Of that convention was to negotiate with
out object, or responsibility, or effect. Why
then continue il When it was abrogated then the
subject would become one of powerful attraction.
Negotiation would then be a sensible responsible,
and effectual theme. Both parties would solemnly
look at it-would weigh the fact of the absence OF
this treaty, and consider with due caution the posi-
bility of war. The great probability was that when
that convention was abrogated, both parties would
feel their responsibility and settle the question. Every
day added to the difficulty. Every Engshman
that settled in his log cabin in Oregon increased it.
He (Mr. c. thought the practicabiity of negotia-
ting peaceably increased by giving that notice
If given in terms Of amty and respect, and without
offence, the matter would become one of necessity
and be taken up by the people to AVOID the dangers
Of war. To avoid those dangers, must often
confront them 1t would increase danger to leave
the question to the influence of existing circum-
stances 1t might be well imagined that feelings oil
envy and hostility would be excited among the peo-
PIE III oTbgOH ny lne warm Appeals winch were
made in that hall. 1t would not appear strange to
him it, leaving this question open to popular ex
element, they should hear, their return Con-
gress, accounts of bloodshed and violence. Tales
Of outrage, violence, and wrong would be propaga
ted in either country, and certainly be followed by
war. To continue the convention was only put
ting of danger for a day. 1t could not last
it was innpplicable to the present state Of
things, although wise when made. English laws
we're operating on the citizens Of the United
States and instead Of their being calculated to control
and pacify them, it was rather provocaton TO out
break and irritation, and tending to violence instead
Of peace. Ii was source anger and disturbance
and there could be government there; and leaving
u 30 would make it worse. He (Mr. c. was there
fore ia favor Of the notice. and had confidence in the
! President Of the United States, whose business il
4 was 10 look TO the interests Of the country, anC
; take care Of its peace. He had told them, in his
message, was his settled purpose to preserve peac,
between the two countries, and that he still cher
q Ished the hope Of amcable adjustment. II coulC
no, be that the President contemplated war in rec
: ommending the notice, for, had such been tn,
! case, he would have necessarily have accompanied
: IL by recommendations Of preparatory measures
aafsr ~