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

Mr. BADGER. had not designed, Mr. President, 10
enter into any explanations, OF make any suggestions
This letter ID the subject OF the remarks OF the senator
But must say, that am very sorry that the honorable
on this occasion indulge in the remarks which he has
Il is not necessary. and il appears to violation Of
that courtesy which ought to be maintained IN all
say that in the general view which he has taken Of The
propriey OF this letter. am compelled to concur think
my friend from Massachusetts Mr DAyIsl has utterly
failed TO cite anything which furnishes precedent fof
the interference which this letter furnishes.
All the cases TO which he refers were cases in which
the President OF the United States was desous to open
negotiations with foreign powers in order 70 procure BY
treaty stpuatons certain provisions deemed BY the Sem
ate TO be advantageous TO interests This letter. il
understand it, is not Of that character II is not sppl
cation the part of the British minister to open nego-
ation with the executive department oil the government
Tor any reciprocal arrangement with regard to the duties
TO be levied upon iron upon any other article. Ii does
not look negotiation Il neither opensa negotiation nor
proposes that shall be opened II is simply letter.
in which lac communicates 10 the Secretary OF State the
fact that il is understood that Congress intends 10 make
some modification OF the existing tariff duties upon
foreign iron, and communicates 10 him the further fact
that such modification will not be well received by the
pablo opinion OF England. That is The whole Of il.
That is no proposition for negotiation. Il is not saying 70
the Secretary OF State that her Majesty government is
desrous OF entering into treaty stpnlaons by which this
subject can be properly and anlcaby arranged not
saying When the subject comes under consideration,
am prepared, instructed authorized, 10 make certain
compromising reductions Of the duty upon any Of the great
subjects OF export 10 this country; but IS simple com
muncaon to the Secretary OF State, that Congress
shall make certain modification in the duty, which the
minister understands Congress proposes to do It will not
be well received in England
Now, SIR ii seems 10 me that no precedent can be
found-cerainy which has been referred to-surey
1 know Of none, and have heard OF none-or such an
interference as this in respect the Legislative action Of
Congress. And II appears TO me that the true and
proper 10 be given 10 il was, not 10 have spoken
81 H. a. the senator from Pennsylvania Mr.. COOPER
has az impairment and ndecorous, and deserving repro
baiIon but BY saying the United States have fully dis
charged all their treaty obligations towards Great Bril-
tain and thai, beyond those obligations, the regula-
tons which Congress establish, the laws 10 pass
the duties TO levy, must be dictated by just and
ghtened consideration Of that body Tor the interests Of
our own people, irrespective OF the views and opinions
OF any other In that point OF view, II strikes me this
letter deserves some such reply as that which have
MIR. KING. Mr. President, will say but word, sir,
and should have sen not that the remarks of
the senator from Pennsylvania Mr. CooPERl might be
the occasion Of feelings Of unkndness between the gov
eminent of Great Britain and the government Of the
United States Sir Henry Lyon Bnwer is the represent
alive Of the government OF Great Brltain and although
in the letter which he has written 70 the Secretary q
State he may have used terms that had better have been
left out and may have proposed what probably ne had
better have proposed, STILL sir, i the senator un-
desands the progress Of things in the negotiation be-
tween this and Others he will that upon
more than occasion the government OF the United
States through their minister's have called upon foreign
governments change their regulations with regard 10
duties or prohibitions upon articles the growth and pro-
duce OF the United States; and that when the change
could not be made by treaty stipuations and must be
made through the medium of legislative action allude
to the regime of France alluded to in another by
the senator from Massachusetts, & Mr.. DAVIS The
American government has been anxious Tor series OF
years to induce an abandonment Of that regime Il lisa
legislative enactment and is 10 be repeaeu by the egs
lave body of the country before be changed by
the Executive. Yet again and again have presented
10 that the popreiy Of making the change,
as advantageous to the two countries as beneficial TO
this government as well to France. That never
taken in any offensive sense The minister OF the Uni
States has notb Of
making such an appeal. He never was denounced be-
cause II required legislative enactment as being mperi
nent, as acting ndecorousy, as having departed from
the line of his duty and deserving the Reproduction Of
the Senate OF the United States Why sir that language
is too harsh, hear applied TO that high and
in the course he has adopted although might have been
better for him to make indication OF that kind, yet
believing be his duty TO his own government, 10 the
people OF England, he brought il forward II was not
necessary be communicated to this body and am sur
prsed that the Secretary OF State did send here for ne
will understand we do not intend ,o egs,se with regard
only rise TO say, that regretted exceedingly that the
senator from Pennsylvania INDUCED in expression Of
that kind which would have been repealed by this gov
eminent with Indignation if applied to representative Of
in foreign country. Sir, know very well what
the feelings Of this country would be il representative
with he terms APPLIED 10 his honorable gentleman by the
representative Of Pennsylvania.
Mr.. COOPER rose TO reply, but gave way to
Mr.. CLAY, who said have risen only TO gay word
or two; for really am extremely unwilling to delay The
honorable senator from Wisconsin, who expected, and
entitled, to occupy the floor this morning. have
risen 10 express my very great regret 10 the language
which my worthy friend from Pennsylvania has thought
proper apply the British minister this govern
ment | am afraid that my friend has COMPOUNDED his
wishes upon the subject OF great interest which he de-
sres TO protect with what he supposed TO be the eo
neous conduct OF the representative OF foreign power
in expressing 10 government what are likely 10 be
the feelings and views OF his government and people
with reference TO any legislative action which we may
see fit 10 take in regard to that nterest.
must say for one, and IN opposition TO the opinlen Of
the honorable from North Carolina Mr. BADGER
thai do not particle OF improperly, the slightest
departure from the most correct diplomatic courtesy and
in that which has been the subject Of this
mornings conversatonthe letter OF the minister OF the
government of Great Britain this government What
sir Cannot the representative OF foreign government
near government the representative OF our own
foreign government express the
wishes and expectations OF the government and people
which he represents upon the subject OF tariff without
mourning denunciatons and having applied TO his con-
duet opprobrious and discoureous epithetsl
The honorable from Massachusetts, has spoken
Of the ncapacity OF the treaty power regulate
the subiec OF the tariff concur with him in all that he
has said upon that subject But Sir Henry Lytton Buwer
proposed no such thing IN the note which has called
down upon him the remarks which have been made here
he has proposed action at all. He has simply said
what suppose he had perfect right 10 say in prosecu
ting the interests OF his country; and my habits OF
approaching public lead me 10 estimate them all the
higher for the interest and zeal with which they seek to
protect and advance the interests OF those whom they
represent He is here and he understands that there IS
projected change legislation by which the rates
OF duty be collected upon article OF great importance
tol fr. hoa