The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-21


Therefore, TO view It ~ that light, would be im-
proper. The main purpose Of the biIl was to au.
thorize, Ia part, steam navy for the defence OF
the country, including more especially that OF the
Gulf Of Mexico, for which at present there was no
adequate force. There was another clause OF the
bill which gave authority, IL lhe emergency required
IL, 10 complete the ships and vessels now on the
stocks, and call into requsition those n ordinary
II IL the opinion Of the Senate that this would
be necessary before the next session, they could
strike out this section. The bill proposed 10 M
crease the steam eraft Of our navy, II the vessels
were to be built the material used in their consirue-
lion would be iron and for the express purpose Of
domestic, home defence, adapted 20 the shallow wa
tiers Of the Gulf Of Mexico and the western waters
Some such measure, in our present condition, II
was proper should be brought forward. IL was the
most economical means to increase the navy ever
presented. Vessels built Of iron would last for
hundred years, and II they were not required could
be laid by without the necessity OF expending dol
lar to keep them servieeabe. IL was merely an ex-
tension OF the heretofore pursued Of collect
ing materials for making navy in case OF emer-
gency Live oak, as material for this purpose,
was cut and put in shape for the construction OF
vessels, and by passing this bill, would merely
put iron in the shapet Of vessels, and keep II un-
Ill IL should be necessary to call into exercise. tie
hoped the bill would take the ordinary course IL II
was not the pleasure Of the Senate 70 name
ly day for It's consideration.
Mr.. FAIRFIELD said il seemed to him that all
discussion was out OF order, and he did not rise TO
preeipliate debate at this time, He merely wished
10 remark that he differed from his friend on the
committee, who had undertaken 10 assign the views
and the grounds which the bill had been present.
ed He did NOT know whether any designed to
make the impression thai il had been presented
either as a war or rs peace measurej hence no re-
port accompanied IL; but IL Was left 10 senators 10
pIaer their support of the bill on such grounds
49,, rba hin h. al Ia ~
the committee; and there was no distinction or par
tieular service named for the proposed additional
naval force. either in whole or in part.
Mr.. SEWER remarked, that IL this was a peace
measure, there was no occasion for naming an early
day for It's consideration.
Mr.. WESrc0rT objected to the posiponemsni
until February. On the l0,h Of that month other
matters would be considered relating entirely to Or
egon; and he could not conceive how this could
also then be discussed He repeated that he hoped
the senator from Maine would adhere to the day, a
day early next week, already suggested.
Mr. J. M. CLAYTON said, that at an early day
in the past month, the senator from Arkansas Mr..
SEviERl distinctly told the Senate that war with
England was inevitable Now, when The first ef
feetive preparation for such event was to he made
in the chamber, they found the senator not ready
and willing to meet III On the contrary the senator
had proposed TO postpone the consideration Of the
bill to the 10Th Of February. He would inquire Of
he now believe war was inevitable, or not II he
believed war was inevitable, why prepare for il;
Why oppose or delay the first effective movement
10 place us In a state Of preparation He (Mr. C.)
looked the bill very important, with reference
to either peace or war. In any event, the bill
should have his support. He did not view il neces-
sariy n wnr measure, but for the defence of our
country, not as TO circumstances TO come now, but
hereafter He asked the senator whether they were
TO entertain the opinion that he would not 20 with
them 10 prepare for war;
Mr.. SEWER said that his opinions had under
gone change; but he desired so far as practical
Die, to consider the made the order of the
day for the 10th Of February and this BILL together
in connection. The Senate should have his vote
TO pass the resolution giving notice for the ermna-
ton of the convention between this country and
Great Britain. Could they depend on the co-opera-
lion, for this purpose, of the senator from Delaware
He was inclined 10 believe, however, the notice
would not pass. Two or three propositions of the
Senator from Ohio Mr.. ALLEsl had been voted
down by yeas and Nays and could he not form
some opinion from what he had seen and heard'
He feared they would 60 home as they came here
doing nothing in relation TO Oregon, and not sup
porting the President in his recommendation. And
did the senator suppose that he (Mr. 81 would
vote millions for the navy in time of profound
peaces He was willing TO vote for a partial in
crease Of The navy. But he thought it betrayed in
consistency to see senator's not standing up for the
notice-from which they unprecedented war would
result--yet calling upon him 10 vote for appropria.
tons to prepare for war lfthey would vote for
the notice, he would vote for the bill to the fullest
extent.
Mr.. J. M. CLAYTON asked whether he correct
ly understood the senator's former views as having
undergone some little variation, He fMr. SEyIEnl
no longer thought that gas inevitable but that
il depended on the notice to England. Did he so
understand the senator .. .
Mr. SEWER replied, Yes. ....... ....
Mr. CLAYTON remarked, then the senator,s
position was somewhat different now. War was
not inevitable, but il depended on the contingency
whether Congress shall give, or shall not give the
notice The senator had asked him [Mr. CLAY.
roNl whether he would 60 for the notice In reply,
he would say that when the question should be
presented, he would mediate and act upon il dis
passiona,ely. For the present, he desired to look
forward and see what course some other matters
took. He did not inform the senatortbat he would
not vote for the notice But ifhe understood, as
the senator did, that the notice would bring on war,
he would, without the slightest hesitation oppose
the notice; and he would only vote for the notice
in case he should consider it pacific measure,
tending TO q continuation ofa negotiation between
this country and England---a measure not leading
TO war, but preventing war. The honorable sena
tor and himself might entertain different views as
10 the effect of the notice, butt now out of
place for him to express any opinions. He would
do so hereafter. Ast the proposition to postpone
the consideration of the bill, he would regret il if il
was put off until the 10th of February and he
hoped that the motion Of the senator from Maine
would prevail. When it should come up, he would
support the bill, whether there was to be war or
not.
Mr.. SEWER. My opinion is, tina, the senator
has not walked up 10 the mark | expected | sup
posed every man would stand up to the notice.
Mr.. CLAYTON wish to ascertain from the
gentleman whether anything has fallen from me,