The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-07
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
WEDNESDAY,, March 6, 1850.
SENATE

SENATE.
Private petitions were presented by Messrs MA
SON, DAVIS of Massachusetts DIcKIssos, DoDG
Iowa, CLAY, MoRTos, and WHITcoMb
CHEAP POSTAGE.
Memorials praying reduction of postage wer
presented by Mr.. HALE.
PUBLIC LANDS.
Mr. CHASE presented memorial of five hun
dred citizens OF Cincinnati, praying that the Gov
eminent will no longer traffic in the public lands
but set them apart for actual settlers.
AGRIcuLTURE-sLAvERY.
Mr.. TURNEY presented the Joint resolutions o
the Legislature of Tennessee on the subject Of al
Agricultural Bureau; and also on the subject o
slavery.
SLAVERY AND SLAVE TRADE.
Mr. SEWARD presented the petitions of sundry
citizens Of New York, praying the prohibition d
slavery and the slave trade in the Territories of the
United States, and a petition from Pennsylvania
that fugitive slaves be allowed trial by jury. And
the question being taken by yeas and nays on the
reception of the petition, IL was decided in the at
hrmative-yeas l9, nays Is; and the memorials
were referred to the Committee on Territories.
Mr.. DODGE, of Wisconsin, gave notice of a bill
granting TO the State of Wisconsin quantity OF
land 10 aid in the construction of railroad from
Milwaukee TO the Mississippi river
Mr.. DOWNS introduced bill authorizing the
issue of patents in certain cases OF private land
claims.
Mr. HUNTER submitted resolution, which
was adopted calling for information in relation
to certain claims by American citizens for slaves
carried of by the British, contrary to treaty stpu
latons.
Mr. DAVIS, of Massachusetts,, offered a resou-
lion. which was adopted, inquiring into the expe,
dency of having the commercial statistics printed
previous to the meeting of Congress.
THE TARIFF-sIR HENRY BuLwER.
Mr.. COOPER moved, and the Senate proceeded
TO the consideration Of the Presidents message OF
dau anHt he acgnY mar af tette
from Sir Henry Bulwer,
Mr.. DAVIS, of Massachusetts, said that, in com
menting upon the conduct Of others, the Senator
should look little TO our own action on this sub
lect. Some years ago an agent was sent by this
Government to Europe TO open negotiations with
several nations in regard TO forming treaties in re-
gard to tariffs few years since agent was
sent TO France, who negotiated treaty whereby
French wines were allowed TO be introduced at re-
duced rates. He had resisted this treaty, but the
Senate adopted it. He strongly opposed to
this practice of comforting upon the treaty making
power any authority to make regulations upon the
source OF raising revenue. The question of raising
revenue and its regulations belonged to the legis-
lativc branch of the Government. II had been
wisely placed by the Constitution in the hands Of
the House of Representatives and there it should be
left By treaty stipulations upon AUTHORIZATIONS
law on the subject was established, which Con-
gress had no power either to alter or repeal; MOI
TO disregard without giving cause for war
Mr.. COOPER explained that, in his remarks, he
had no intention of rejecting upon the Admins
tration
Mr.. BADGER said that he regretted sincerely
that the Senator from Pennsylvania should have
thought il necessary 10 indulge in that OF
remark which might be construed into a'violation
OF that courtesy always extended TO foreign ma
tons and their representatives. While differing
from the Senator in this much, he felt compelled t.
concur in the general opinion expressed by the
Senator, to the interference in the mode adopted
by the British minister. He thought the Senator
NJ. I~IE Ill
dent to justify the proposed by this letter Of
Mr. Bulwer. The legislative branch of the Gov
eminent had the entire control of the subject of
tariff, and the treaty making power should never
control IL.
Mr.. KING said in the conduct of Mr.. Bulwer he
could see nothing in any way calculated TO Justify
the language which had been applied to him.by
the Senator from Pennsylvania. It was true that
the power to regulate the tariff belonged to the leg
lslatve and not to the Executive branch: but the
fact of Mr.. Bulwer making known to our Govern
ment the wishes of his Government was not impro-
per offensive TO this nation. Ifsuch language had
been used in the Chamber of Deputies, in France,
towards our minister there, this nation would re-
sent it.
He regretted that the Senator from Pennsylvania
had INDUCED in the course Of remarks he had fol-
lowed this morning He thought it uncalled for
by any thing done by the minister, who was one oil
the last men to do any thing offensive to our Gov
eminent. He regretted that the Secretary of State
had sent the letters Of Mr.. Buwer to the Senate
as, by so doing, the minister had been subjected tc
language which must be objectionable both TO him
and the nation Of which he is the representative
Mr.. CLAY said that he regretted very much In,
language which the Senator from Pennsylvania
had thought proper to apply TO the British minis
ter. He regretted that his friend from Pennsylva-
MIA should have COMPOUNDED his wishes on the sub
Ject Of the tariff with the conduct Of the represent
alive Of the British government. In the letters oil
Sir Henry Bulwer be no departure from the
strict decorum and policy Of diplomacy. Cannot
the representative Of a foreign government COM
municate the wishes and desires Of HE government
on the subject Of the tariff, without calling down
himself denuncations and language such as had
been used to-day by the Senator from Pennsyl-
vania
Sir Henry Bulwer had done nothing more in
making this communication than TO carry out the
views Of his government, and for this he deserved
no reproach. He estimated all men, and the con
duct and actions Of all men, by the devotion they
displayed 10 promote the interests Of their country
He agreed that the subject Of a tariff belonged q
the Legislative powers. He differed from and wal
opposed 70 the measure suggested by MIR. Bulwer
and hoped that no such measure would be concur
red IN. be was as much in favor Of protecting tb'
great iron interest az the Senator from Pennsylva
MA, bot he could not on that account see any i'm
propriety in the conduct Of the British minister
tie hoped his friend from Pennsylvania would SCI
the improperly Of using tho language he has
uttered concerning a minister whom he mir. c.
took the greatest pleasure in saying mucl
disposed as any other foreign minister ever aocred
tied here 10 keep the general relations existing be
tween the two countries in perfect amty and hsr
Tnony.
Mr.. CASS said that he agreed with the Senator,
from Alabama and Kentucky, in rcgrctting tina
any language Of censure should have been applied
W Sir Henry Bulwer, account Of writing thess
letters. He knew the British minister WE'LL ant
not more high minded and honorable man evei
crossed the Atlantic. And there did not exist
man who had less intentions TO insult or offend thii
Government.
There was nothing extraordinary in the conduct
Of the minister. II was n common course for min
listers 20 pursue. When in France he had been in
structed 70 apply 10 the French Government for al
abrogation Of their probibtory laws tobacco
He bad done so, and he addressed a note 10 th
government in pretty firm terms, bot il neve
considered offensive. There, too the subject be
longed 10 legislative powers. He regretted that III
papers had been sent 90 the Senate.
Mr.. BADGER said that he hoped he was not un
derstood a. joining in any language charging 81
Henry Bulwcr with having committed any impro
prety. He agreed with all that had been said b,
Senators a. 10 the high. honorable and upngh
character Of Sir Henry Bulwer.
Mr.. COOPER said that in what be had said h
saw nothing improper. In this instance he ha
followed-what he always found 20 be the bes
coursc 10 represent his constituents-thc prompt
ings Of bis heart. He thought that from bis know
ledge OF the laws Of diplomacy, the conduct Of th
British minister was unwarranted.