The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-11-15


The Mesquite Qaesuion.-The Movement OF the Adj
ninistration-mr. Rives's Position.
The Mosquito question recalls the attention OF the
country TO Mr. Monroes declaration, in his message to
Congress- And the diplomatic visit OF Mr.. Rives to
London, in his route to Paris, in anticipation of Mr.
Lawrence, is one OF the incidents in our diplomacy
which has not received the notice due 10 it, and 10 the
portent OF evil which really attends it, II confirms in
my view the limitations OF the Union, that the present
administration mean TO conciate the favor Of England
by the abandonment OF the principle that is avowed in
Mr. Monroe's message. That principle was il recol.
lect correctly, first asserted in our negotiations with
Russia on the Oregon boundary. Prior that time we
queny to the 5ith parallel Of northern latitude. And
the correspondence with the Russian diplomats supplied
the occasion for Mr. Adams e these
colonization, reservng in exception 10 its influence The
existing colonial rights Of the several powers who held
by prior tenure Of possession This principle was resist
ed by the British cabinet in their correspondence with
Mr.. Rush. then our ambassador at the Court OF St
James; and in the teeth Of that resistance Mr. Monroe
announced TO Congress- that il adopted into the code
OF our American international creed These are my
recollections; and they furnish with key TO the
mysteries Of present diplomacy Thus stood this "prin
ciPe' IN December ls2o when MIR. Monroe announced
il in his message.
In the debate the Panama MISSION al the session Of
1880. il was disclosed that Mr. Adams and his Secre
ary OF State Mr. Clay had made this principle proper
subject for delberaon and action by the congress Of
nations that expected TO assemble at that shmus
Mr. Rives participated in that debate, and the stress OF
his argument lay upon an amendment TO the insruc-
tons OF our commissioners 10 Panama which amend
ment was offered by himself and which positively Tor.
babe ministers TO maintain Mr.. Monroes principle.
In the discussion he took the British side OF that prnci-
ple and epudiaied the American His speech was in
genious-to borrow the elder Adamss eIihets, il was
"ornae and concinnate" He fairly stated the issue be-
tween this country and Great Britain and his amend
ment and speech both did pontedly and explicitly deny
the principle OF Monroes message. This was in April
1926 and the Congressional Register for that time will,
am confident, supply you the proofs OF what have
his wdy, the duplex character OF minister England
whilst on his embassy to France TO discuss the question
now in contest between England and the United States,
lin anticipation OF the normal diplomacy of Mr. Law
renee whilst that identical question Mr. Rives stands
committed, BY his amendment in the spring OF 1926, and
HIS speech IN IFS support the British side OF the
trovesy The public have right to regard this act OF
the present administration virtual surrender OF the
principle" II you will look into the documents within
your reach in the public archives at Washington, you
will find that these were Mr. Ryes's views In 1926,
solemnly put forth on the occasion to which have
diffusely referred