Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-02-20

gentleman from Tennessee which demands Of passing
notice The honorable gentleman from South Carolina being
driven that Of discussion by remarks Of others spoke
of the causes of the with Mexico He alluded to events
which preceded the He indicated himself from the
accusation Of having been in any manner accessory to that
war; and in the Of his observations he alluded to cir
cumstance with regard TO which an appeal was mace 70 my
recollection. s 49, g.
On that point Mr. President, desire to say word. Dh-
ring the debate the Oregon question, as il is commonly
called in 1916, and time, think, in the month OF
February Of that year, received from 70 which It is
not necessary advert, but upon which felt that
could rey that ouRGovement had given orders to General
Taylor break up his encampment at Corpus Christi and
march on the Rio Grande. The instant heard that and
was satisfied Of its tuhhe public at the time having no
means Of knowing the actI was alarmed at the apprehen
sion of with Mexico and it Is true, as the honorable
Senator from South Carolina has said, that did meet him
here in the Senate chamber and in the course OF conhden
ta private conversations did give him the information which
then possessed told him, sir that believed, unless some
speedy action taken either by himself some other dis
tingushed gentleman who could arrest the downward Ten
dency of things arising from that Order we should be plunged
before could possibly ourselves AT that
time all men who were acquainted with passing events and
the position of public affairs were alike anxious TO avoid
WE with England If it could be avoided consistently with
aud interests Of the country All oT efforts We're
devoted the consideration of the best means by which we
could in the exercise Of all the prudence and judgment which
God had given avert from country so gcat calamity
with England upon the question OF boundary IL
these that received the information and
communicated to the honorable Senator from South Carroll
His first exclamation was cannot be so IL Is i'm
possible - precisely he has related in the Of this
debate. assured him it beyond all doubt. Then,
said he, when urged that be taken, what
can be done " Whig could not move in the matter,
and urged that unless the honorable Senator from South
Carolina and his friends other strong division of the
gentlemen the other side of the chamber, would in
the matter, the Wing side should be utterly poweress
The honorable gentleman at that time, he has
properly stated devoted the great object which
ss absorbed my mind and the minds Of those around
methe prevention of war with Engand and ne declined
move lest his usefulness that great question should be
any degree contracted In the of short time after
shat- 49,
Mr.. CALHOUN. The first conversation in January,
when you announced the fact and the second conversation
was in February. WI
Mr.. CLAYTON. Yes the Senator is right Thus Mr.
President feel exoneraed from all responsibility in the mat
ter and think the honorable gentlemans statement ought to
be entirely satisfactory with regard to the propney OF his
course. II not in power to move We shack
led and feered by considerations connected with another
matter of overwhelming mportance and In regard to which
all energies invoked Still, sir, though then
but rarely broke the silence of the chamber with my voice,
daily impressed with the danger OF with Mexico
until last very singular circumstance occurred to which
have another witness the floor of the Senate. Onhe
oath of April and between the hours of twelve and O'Clock
on that day, was talking with my friend from Kentucky be-
hind me- (Mr. MoRRHEAD, and said had doubt that
then at with Mexico, and added, believe
have had fight" Sportvely we laid small wager on
that NATTER and turned out afterwards for made minute
Of it. that the bet by about four hours, for Thorn
Dragons cut about four o'clock in the morning
Of that same day. WE'LL these recalled and impressed
upon the mind this great fact that while the Houses OF Con-
gess remained in ignorance, and those who knew could not
the President OF the United States was ordering the
army Of the United States upon the Rio Grande, and taking
step of which the inevitable consequence proved be
Then followed the fort opposite Maamoros, movement pre-
cisey similar to that which Caus Marcus took in order to
bring battle with enemy That lustrous hero OF
antiquity brought about BATTLE in which hundred thou
sand slain, by moving his army to river side,
where he provoked the Of of those warriors Of
hat bue-eyed from which ourselves descended
do go further into the present discussion do not
think proper to into discussion OF the whole merits OF
this question: in order ascertain whose head if on that
IF any, lies the responsibility of this At the time
papers that PLACED On our table, gave my opinion
against the preamble recognising the existence Of the war
then gave my own opnion at sufficient LENGTH to enable
others at least to understand the grounds which acted
denounced the then the Of the President of the
United States, but avowed myself them and have ever
since avowed myself willing supplies for the war
believed that the brought by this thing march
ng the army without any necessity from Corpus Christi
he Rio Grande done too, while Congress session.
without word being communicated the intention
the President of the United States either the Senate or the
House, any committee either House of Congress or
far as have been able to judge, any member Of either
House of Congress- Under these circumstances Mr. Pres
lent the responsibility Of the will probably upon him
who ought to bear it. forbear going into this further
In reference the resolution ITSELF have said all that
L
nent punishment Of Mr. Richie his associate We
m no blow at the freedom of the press We deprive those
Individuals of right which citizens they possess We
dmy desire to mark dsapprobaion of libel the cha
acter OF the Senate by refusing those who have published
the privilege of associaDg this floor with the members Of
hat body which they have thus sought Willy and disgrace
before the world. ~
Mr.. PEARCE said he desired 10 make few remarks in
epy to the Senator from Virginia, (Mr. MAsoS He would
quite unwilling that Senator do any thing which
oud in the slightest degree infringe that glorious right which
res at the foundation Of all public bery-the freedom of
ress But how does the resolution before the Senate
dict with the constitutional protection of that right What
constitutional right does the resolution violate What civil
right does it take away What right which the Senator
give does il in any way affect Whence does
the printer of the Senate derive his privilege seat on the
oor of the Senate 1t admitted that is not derived from
the constitution, from any law from any written rule
OF the Senate. But il be assumed that il arises cr
aecesstate rel Now, sir this is the with your right
and my right to be here You perform the functions
which the constitution has devoved upon the Vice President
except in this chamber and in the chair which you occupy
No Senator perform the functions Of his high place he
be not admitted here the Secretary the Sergeanat
Arms and all other officers of the Senate whose business
SUCH being here they necessarily be here But that
not the with the printer Of the Senate, whose fnc
TONS as such, do not require his here the
slightest degree aided by his being here and indeed cannot
be and never performed here all Mr.. Rtchie's sole
business printer, is to print such manuscripts the
Secretary may send to him for that purpose stipulated
and at prices fixed by law The reporting our pro-
ceedngs and debates part Of his business as printer Of
the Senate. That is another vocation, with which we have
nothing to do Since them the printer Of the Senate has no
10 ba