The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-03-07

say on the part OF the British minister u communicate
tive 10 communicate Il 10 the Senate bu must diseaim
any view OF the subject which would regard oen
siye or discourteous 10 the least.
Mr. CASS concur With the honorable senator from
Kentucky, Mr. Clay aud The honorable senator from
Alabama, Mr.. kNc, ia regarding The conduct OF the
British minister IN this matter entirely free from any
cause Of reProach Or complaint ! know that gentle
man well; have known him Tor years, and a more
highmladed aud hanorable man Il has never been my
toitune 10 know He is the very last man in the world
who would intentionally do aught to interfere with the
friendly relations existing between this country aad his
own lie has been anxious, am certain, only TO defend
and protect the interests OF his government for
which he e entitled 10 additional respect
nse. sir, 70 express my regret, so far respects
him-and do deeply regre--that any honorable sena
tor should have elt bis duty to indulge n censoroas
language upon this hoor as applied 10 him Icannot per-
ceivc that any indgny has been committed towards
government by the British minister and am certain
that he intended none. Il is altogether misapprehen-
SION
My honorable friend from Alabama has made some
aluson 70 presidents within bis experience. When |
was in France was instructed TO my best exerons
procure change IN relation % the duties on tobacco
which was not only almost prohibited, but II is mo-
nopoy ~ France as Il ~ In The other countries oil En
rope great part 81 Their revenue comes from that
ment. and can only Be repealed in the same manner
The executive branch OF the government has no more
power over than the executive here has the tariff
Well sir, when was in France was instructed TO re-
monstrate against the continuance Of that monopoly,
and | did 80 with all the ability which had. | adj
dressed diplomatic notes 10 the government and although
was unsuccessful 10 modifying the policy OF that gov
ernment do not think it was my fault; and al all
events, my efforts were received impairment
obtrusive. do not think il entered the minds oil
never my Letters to the Chamber OF Deputies They
received and treated my Inconsistencies with poleness
replying TO them and representing that their reve-
nue. system was toe much Implicated In the question Tor
them TO comply with my suggestion.
Now, it seems to that this is precisely such case
as that IN which demonstrated with the French govern
which there was not equally in that regret that il has
been thought necessary 10 send this correspondence here
MI. SEWARD | rise for the purpose Of moving that
this subject be postponed until Tomorrow in order to
give opportunity to the honorable senator from Wis
consn. Nj. WALKER who is entitled the floor to
proceed w1 sS remarks upon the ofdsr q The day
OF the subject 70 make one remark. hope that was
not understood joining at all in the censue which was
passed upon ne BRUSH minister BY me honorable seaa
should be drawn from the observations which submit
ted On the contrary. intended merely 10 say that while
there no motives contained in his letter of nature
calculated to influence our legislation the procedure
seemed 10 to be somewhat irregular, and, so far
Knew. not sustained BY any precedent join entirely in
with respect 10 The high Of The gentleman Who
holds the position of British minister gov
eminent believe, sir that he OF the last in
the world IL, who would q gully q a. &C. q asIsspeei TO-
Mr. COOPER. am very sorry TO trespass upon time
which was destined for the senator from Wisconsin,
[Mr. Wakes j but in very few words the whole sub
lect can be disposed Of
had no apprehension when lrose this morning. tina,
was about TO awaken SO much feeling seems to have
arisen from the few remarks which INDUCED in, in ref
erence the correspondence which brought the
notice OF the Senate yesterday. am very willing TO be
eciured by those whose experience qualities them in their
lectures TO impart information; but although admit that
need information upon many subjects, bnd that
always do BEST that represent my constituents best,
when follow the promphngs OF my own judgment
And, sir. although have not had the honor to represent
the country abroad. and Of learning from my expe
nence what is considered etiquette in diplomatic cir
cles yet have. think, learned something of the sub
ject BY my reading; and have yet to learn any case
which parallel to that communicated TO the Senate yes
terday by the President.
Mr.. FOOTE. (in,erposing) Will the honorable sena-
tor allow to make suggestion which may serve to
the British minister and which hope my friend
from Pennsylvania will receive kindly' II is fact
which he seems to have overlooked, and one which
hope will have some effect upon his feelings refer to
the fact that the distinguished senator from Massachu
sets fMr WEBsTKRl proposed several years ago, in
very formal and deliberate manDer-l think my friend
cannot have forgotten tin speech which was much
commcnnd throughout the country al the time, that
this whole subject OF imports should be regulated
BY treaty Now, sir, this question being very freely dis
cussed in this country. seems TO me that The British
minister may have been at least encouraged TO take this
step by that circumstance
Mr. COOPER | do recollect the circumstance. and
recolect that the country rejected the proposition as
wholly iDadmlssible; and am that twill never be
adopted by the country, let the recommendation come
from what quarter il may II would be adopting meas
uncongenal to the spirit OF government IL is
subject which belongs 10 the representatives OF the peo
pie in this country Our policy differs, in this respect,
from the policy OF other countries, except England and
France Therefore il that chose TO indulge in Tue
remarks which did; and would ask the honorable
senator from Kentucky what there was exceedingly
indecorous in my remarksl The worst word used in
them the word fmpernenf; and II know anything
OF the OF language. that word its strict sense, sig
ni6es simply "iniermeddling with that which does not
belong 10 one" think that this term properly ap
with that which belongs 10 the representatives OF the
people in Congress. and not to him. TO the Ex
ecutve of the United States And sir after all thai
has been said upon this subject about the improperly OF
my remarks-afer all that has been said by honorable
about their regret for the which have
thought I'll TO pursue must conclude by saying that
would not withdraw single word OF what have said il
had 10 say II over again
Mr. BERRlEN | desire to say single word. do
not think that anything which has occurred is calculated
to convict the British minister OF any improperly in
king this communication 10 government, nor the
President OF any improperly in communicating Il 10 the
Senate suppose that Il will be conceded that the action
OF government upon any subject calculated TO Affect
the interests OF another government IN any way, s
ernments.
Now II the regulation OF the rate OF duty or the fra
ming OF the tariff had been subject the treatymaking
power II will not be doubted that the British minister.
the minister OF any other government could with perfect
proprety have communicated with the executive depart
ment 10 which the treaty making power belongs and that
the suggestions views, and feelings OF bis govern.
been characterized by improperly But, forasmuch as
the regulating OF tariff appropriately belongs to the le
gisative department OF the government is supposed
that, in communicating with the Executive this