The Columbian fountain., 1846-02-13
Reported for the Columbian Fountain.
iTw enty- ninth Congress;
FIRSTFSE SESSION.
WEDNESDAY, February IL, l846.
SENATE.


WEDNESDAY, February IL, l846.
A very appropriate prayer was made today
by Mr.. Tuston for the assistance OF Provl-
dence in the decision of the question that now
agia,es the country, and that il may be de-
termined in the way most satisfactory to his
Infinite prescience, the prosperity apd adyan-
tage of our beloved country, and to the appro-
val Of the just and wise Of all countries.
The morning hour was occupied with the
presentation Of private and other petitions, by
Messrs. Dix, Archer, Dickinson, Lewis, At
Crimson and Westcott. Several reports from
standing committees were made, and bills in
troduced by Messrs. Johnson, of La, Bagby,
Atkinson, Sewer, and others.
On motion of Mr.. Sewer, it was ordered
that when the Senate adjourns it adjourn to
Monday next.
A bill was discussed in relation TO the in
Identifying of some individual for losses sus-
tanned by the depreciation Of U. s. Treasury
notes. II was explained and advocated at
some length by Mr.. Pennybacker, and i was
about being passed, when, on motion OF MIR.
Crittenden, it was informally passed over.
Several messages Were received from the
President, but their contents did not transpire.
A bill was passed authorizing the Secretary
of the Treasury to compromise with sSwart-
wout's sureties.
Mr.. Mangum moved the special order on
the Oregon resolutions, and
Mr. J. M. Clayton rose. He asked for the
reading Of the joint resolutions Of the COM
mittee on Foreign Relations, and the amend
ments thereto. @
Mr.. Crittenden asked for the reading Of his
amendment or substitution. which was done.
This gives the President the discretion whether
to give the notice or not; but, II ne gives II,
it must not be until after the close OF the pres
ent session of Congress.
Mr.. CLAYTON, after alluding to the different
aspects in which the question was presented
TO the Senate, said there was another most Inn
portant point, and that was the resolution with
the proviso that had been passed by the House
and sent here for concurrence, and here re-
ferred to the committee on Foreign Relations.
This gave no discretion to the President. The
was to be taken by Congress
1t lays the responsibility on the President
,chen to give the notice, but does not authorize
him to withhold it entirely. tits, furt thermore,
a virtual recommendation to the executive to
renew negotiations. In view of all these ne,
Mr.. c., was in favor Of Mr.. Crittenden's sub
stitution. He, Mr.. c., had never enlisted as
a parry man in questions affecting our For
eign relations 1t has not been the practice
heretofore No party question was made on
the northeastern boundary dispute, ncr during
our difficulties with France. The Senate has
never been sunk so low yet. On this question
he wishes to find common platform on
which we can all unite. He wished to give
the discretion TO the President, because ne had
more means of information than he had con-
cluded to open to us or to the people. The
President had not said there was danger OF
war. He had not recommended increase OF
our defences, nor to raise more moneys by the
tariff. The Committee on Naval Affairs, has,
to be sure, brought in bill to increase the
Navy but that was recommended as a peace
measure, not anticipatory OF war, either by
the committee or by the Secretary OF the Navy.
No indications Of danger have been given
from any quarter. Our fortlicatlens are al
lowed to remain in state of dlapidation. Gle
here praised Mr.. Westcott for pointing out to
the world, our vulnerable state, and the points
where it would be safe for an enemy to con-
gregate and rendezvous, in case hoshlities
should be commenced against this country.)
Mr.. C. said he looked al this as more signih-
cant than the diplomatic correspondence lately
published. We have refused to arbitrate either
tlue OF ulVlSiOu, DutlioLu al Iho AC Sohhot shnh
there is danger of war. He did not hold that
the notice was message tending to war. He
then said he should conine himself to that re-
solution that gives the President discretion as
10 whether he shall give the notice or not, and
when he shall give it. He would not give an
opinion as 10 what parallel of latitude should
be the dividing line. He hoped Senators
would forbear to express their opinions, be-
cause it may come before them in secret ses-
sion under treaty. He ridiculed Mr.. Aliens
assertion that this nation was committed by
the Baltimore Conventions resolution as TO the
whole Of Oregon; for that was party resolu
ton, undiscussed, and by body assembled for
far different purpose.
He said he thought there was less danger OF
war in giving the notice pursuant to Mr. Crit
tenden's resolutions than if it is withheld. He
then read from British newspaper ''the Man
chester Guardian" "a paper in the interest OF
the cotton Lords of England to the effect that
a notice to terminate the convention coming
from either government-the British or Ame-
rican--wil operate to prevent war. MIR. 9.
agreed with that paper. He then commented
on Mr.. Aliens speech, referring to England's
not daring to 60 to war; and that her war ma
val means were lessened by the introduction
Of steam as an element in naval affairs. Mr..
Allen explained. He, Mr.. A. had said that her
relatire sea strength, in regard to other Euro
pean nations was lessened, because her advan-
tages and safety arising from her insular situa-
ton were rendered nugatory by the introduction
of war steamers in naval warfare.
Mr.. Clayton then went into much interest