Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1850-01-18
CONGRESS-MoYnAT.

Mr. Benton gave notice Of a bill proposing 10
the State of Texas the reduction of her bounda
res, the cession Of her exterior territories and
the REIMBURSEMENT of all her claims on the
United St"toS for = consideration to be paid her
BY the United States,
the resolution submitted several DAYS since
| by Mr.. llouston calling for correspondence, re.
lativc TO Interference by military authorities of
Santa Fe with the Judicial authority Of Texas
was agreed to.
Mr.. Clements resolution of inquiry, with re-
gard to the government of California since the
4th of March last, was laid on the table after a
desgltury discussion.
Mr.. Dckuson's resolution of inquiry, rela-
tive to the appointment by the Postmaster Genl.
or his subordiTatcs, or deputy po,tmasters be-
fore the expiration of the commissions Of those
who were removed, &c, was taken up, but
after spirited debate in which Mr. Hale of
New Hampshire appears to have come to the
support of the administration, was laid aside by
consent of the movcr
The great question OF the day however, in
the Senate, was the renewed discussion OF the
proposal of Mr.. Cess to cut off diplomatic rela,
ti0Us with Arslrii. Mr. Hide moved to add
| Russia 20 the list and made lorciJlc speech,
apparently intended to affect onr domestic ra-h-
err than our foreign relations. Mr. Cay next
spoke lie said that the appeal made to him
! the other day, by the Senator from M,ahigan,
tD aid him III this proposition, no 'eSS than his
respect for that gentleman and the Senate, dc.
man led reply
The proposition either as originally offered
or with the amendment. was a Great AMI gray 9
one. a all subjects were which were connected
with Foreign Affairs. l. prop sal not simply
the recall of our own Minister, but the sending
ont Of the country the Minister of another pow
er already here. WHY was il made a resolution
OF inquiry All the facts upon which the Sen
ator based his proposition were historical, the
origin OF the war; and the puui>hmnntS inflicted
were well known to the Senate and to tie
country. That proposition, therefore should tc
considered in the sale 4ht As a positive direc-
ten t" eHn'e action carrying out the ul'mtte
object OF the resolution. The Senate was Iu>t
as well prepared as ever it could be, to decide
whether we should suspend diplomatic inter
course. lie did not believe that the Senator
rom AIabama, Mr.. King, if he had given that
his usual careful consideration, could give il
his sanction.
He referred to the elo1nent language in
which Mr.. Cass had set forth the sufi1rngs Of
Hungary, and said there was another way in
which the detestation Of AuStria's c0urSe could
be manifested with much more benefit to those
who had been down trol len by the tvrant. Lrt
-
which succor and comfort could be given to
the numerous cXes who were now # eng tu
this lani from the opPressor, whom they vainly
rndcavorcd to rcprl, and the genIloman would
lind him ready tn advocate il. with all the power
ne possessed. Instead OF suspend NJ di r.nma-
tic relations with Au,tr1 he would send to
that Government some enlightened citizen who
could command the confidence of the country.
The II N. Senator from Michigan. himself |
would be a most appropriate person to send on
such an interesting occasion, 10 sie for some
consideration for II mgary-to plead her cause, !
and to cudeavor to obtain for her that redress
and consideration which her wrongs. and he
bravery were entitled to.
The object Of foreign missions, was not to
benefit tie country to which we send repreSen- |
tatves, but to protect American interest
abroad. 1t was proposed because Of oar abl"r-
renee of Austrian bucherics, and Austria dis
regard of Hungarian independence, to Il lisl
American merchants and sailors and To de-
prize our citizens oi whatever advantage mgn'
be desired from the pomnlc relations eXls-
ing between the two nations. Sach a course |
cunld be u>tii d by No arggm mt whp'cver.
Mr. Clay also ,lndicacI the consistency of
aic present action, in vcW Of his former course
with ref renee to the South American States, !
referred to by NJ. Cass in his speech.
If it was agreed that it was proper that ,lc
United States Govcrnm'Ht should take any ac-
ton ON this subject, it might m're justly be
had with reference to Russia. who had inter. |
Mred upon a shallow prcteNt, and defeated
Hungarian independence when she had already |
achcvcdf.
Mr.. Clay also proceeded to show, by cog'nt /
argument and familiar illustrations, that ittbe /
precedent or the principle in question MAS cs-
ttlli-hpd. there wa, ~ Limitations qrihnra- I
tons, or restriction. as to how lar, or on what
sui nct, wbltLer religion, NOR As OF what not,
which could be adopted. The course 10 be
pursued was in direct contradiction to the poi
cy laid down and followed by Washington and
every Administration to the present time II.
we ware to become the Ce9sprs of nations,
where were we to stoT, and why should We
look to the case OF Hungary alone Why no,
take up the cause of Ireland !-and stll more
that of unhappy Rome which had been .lndtd
to? The gentleman expressed the fear that he
belonged to the stand-stl school OF politicians i,
he would like TO hear definition of the pro-
urcSs which the gentleman designed to advo-
cate The party Of which that gentleman was
"A distinguished disciple, were opposed to the
Improvement of our great watcg courses, ana
also t. Il system of progress winch should re-
lieve from a dependence for neceS>arles OF lie
upon foreign land. What then did he mean
BY progress Mr. Clay feared that the pre-
gress which he advocated, was a progression OF
conquests, Territorial aggnndlzemenl, ana
Foreign wars. II so, he thanked goa tha' Ee
was OF the stand still school, as opposed TO s"Gh
a nroUress as that to which he had alluded. In
conclusion. he did not think it became the
Senate to take such unnecessary, perions
ground as had been proposed, and hoped that
the Senale would at once reject the proposIuoh'
without reference or hesitation. =,
Mr.. Fuote rose to address The Senate on Mr.
IIale's amendment, but yielded to motion TO
adjourn, which was agreed to-