The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-08
Mr.. Cooper,s Remarks.


The following report of Mr.. CoopER's
remarks upon motion to refer the PRES
dents message and accompanying cor
respondence of Sir HENRY BULwER with
the Department of State, was intended to
appear in Wednesdays proceedings, but
was not received till our paper of yester-
day had gone to press:
Mr.. COOPER. Mr.. President, / desire to obtain
the indulgence Of the Senate for very brief period
while submit few remarks In relation 10 the cor
respondence between the Secretary of State and the
British minister, which was presented yesterday,
and which was disposed Of after left the Senate
The VICE PRESIDENT. The Senator from
Pennsylvania asks unanimous consent TO address
the Senate.
Mr.. TURNKEY What is the subject
Mr.. COOPER. II is in relation 70 the Presi-
dents message and correspondence presented yes
terday and disposed Of by being laid upon the table
and ordered to be printed. move that the mes
sage and correspondence be taken up and referred
TO the Committee on Commerce.
The VICE PRESIDENT. IL is moved 10 refer
the message and accompanying correspondence to
the Committee on Commerce
MIR. COOPER. was about TO remark that when
the Presidents message disposed of yesterday
by motion 10 lay il on the table, had left my seat
and retired from the chamber, and was not then
aware of the extent 20 which the British minister
had felt himself warranted to GO in making sug-
gestons relative TO what domestic Legislative
policy should be in reference to particular sub
lect. In order that | may have a foundation for
the remarks which design TO submit, will read
the letter dated January Sd, 1850. IL is as follows
BRITIsH LEGATION,
WAsHINGToN, January 3, 1850. {
Sir: IL having been represented to her majesty's
government, that there is some idea the part OF
the Government of the United States TO increase the
duties upon British iron imported into the United
States have been instructed by her maesty's gov
eminent TO express to the United States govern
ment the hope OF her majesty government that no
addition will be made TO the duties imposed by the
present tariff Of the United States, which already
weighs heavily on British productions; and cannot
but observe, for my own part, that an augmcnta-
ton Of the duties on British produce or manufac-
lures, made at moment when the British gov
eminent has, by a series Of measures, been facili-
tating the commerce between the two countries,
would produce very disagreeable effect on public
opinion in England.
! avail myself Of this opportunity to renew TO you
the assurance Of my most distinguished considera-
ton. HENRY l.. BULWER.
Hon. JoHN NJ. CLAYTON, &C., &c, &c.
Now, sir, in order that may say nothing but
what design to say, will use very full notes in
relation 10 that part of my remarks which refer to
the conduct and course pursued by the British
minister. will repeat what have already stated,
that had left the Senate yesterday before the
the British minister had been disposed Of and with
out being aware of the extent 70 which the latter
had felt himself warranted in making suggestions
relative 10 what domestic legislative policy
should be- As far the policy of one independent
nation towards another is within the control OF the
Executive, and subject 10 regulation by treaty, 30
far is il legitimatey the object OF suggestion and
discussion by the diplomatic representatives OF
either. by this do not intend 10 say, that the
representative OF one nation may not make known
10 the government of another, that its policy in
particular cases, in which it comes in conflict with
the interests Of that which Inc represents, might be
modified in such way as 10 be mutually bencfi-
cial. But do say, that diplomatic representa-
tive fails in all the duties of etiquette and courtesy
towards the government 10 which he is accredited,
when he undertakes to inform il that any contem-
plated legisdtipe action it's part twill produce a
very disagreeable effect on the government cor
public opinion" Of his country. To do so, sir, is
obtrusive, impertinent, and deserving Of rebuke.
We are competent to manage our own domestic
policy, without hints or suggestions from the
agents Of other governments, however powerful,
however wise in the management OF their own. IL
is duty to regulate our own policy for the ben
eft of our own people--thc whole of our own pco-
ple-without reference 10 the state Of British pub
lie opinion" or French public opinion, or public
opinion elsewhere.
| doubt not, Mr.. President, that British public
opinion s gratfed by policy which feeds her peo-
pie though IL should starvc ours but it il impert
nent the part of the British minister 10 tell us So
know that there is difference of opinion at home,
on the subject of the policy referred 10; but il is
difference which we settle at home amongst
ourselves, and all the better and sooner without OBJ
trusive, unsought advice from abroad. Our south
ern brethren do not all Of them agree with us on
the subject of this policy; but they will agree with
me that il IL domestic concern and 10 be settled
at home by our own Congress, in such manner AZ
shall best comport with the interests OF all. When
England, through her statesmen, in manner FAR