The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-24

spectse rights OF The British subjects and American chi
under The convention OF 1878, they still suffered il
10 remain n sfau quo Sir The British government kno
well that very large and important interests embark
by citizens oil the United States in these fisheries They
know that the harbors and the coasts, and the seas Oh
their possessions in North America swarm, stated
sons OF the year. with these fishing vessels; and,
informed this rs one OF those seasons And now, sud,
denly without notice OF any kind, as we are informed
through the public journals and semi officially by soTt
OF proclamation from the Secretary OF State. very large
British force has been ordered into these Tor the pur
pose OF enforcing, at the mouth oil the cannon, the
s,ruclion which Great Britain has recently deter
mined to place upon that convention. Now, cir, had
countres those of Great Britain and the United States
that, were i the purpose OF England to revive The
struciion which II chooses TO aix to that convention,
and require that should be enforced, comfy, ordinary
comfy, national courtesy, would have required that
uce should have been given OF that determination upon
the part OF Great Britain. But sir, when such
tce is gveD--when, on the contrary, the very hrst
ntimaiion that reaches. us is the information that
Great Britain has ordered into those large naval
force for the purpose OF enforcing this alleged rghtI
know NOT in what light il may strike other senator's but It
strikes me as lar higher offence than breach OF
tona courtesy. can only consider it insult and
an indignity to the American people
Sir this morning, 10 the first paper that took up from
the North saw an extract from one OF the British
Onial newspapers, printed al st. Johns, in New Bruins
wick containing formal statement Of the actual naval
force ordered by Great Britain Immediately to rendez.
in those 1t consists Of the Cumberland, 10
gun ship, commanded by Sir O. + Seymour, who, be-
1S BRUSH admiral commanding the West In.
dia station and there follows enumeration of steam
vessels, soops and schoones, TO the number of
nineteen, ordered to rendezvous there Immediately, and
with the utmost despatch-for what purpose To en-
force once and without notice to this government SO
far as am inf0rmed (and yet we have informa
on through the quasi proclamation OF the Secretary of
State) at the mouth Of the cannon, the construction
which the British government places upon that
ton do not know what view has been taken BY the
this extraordinary movement, on the part Of
the Britsh government hut think do know what
the American people would demand of the Executive
under such circumstances. II there be official nforma
ion or information satisfactory TO the Executive, that
Great Britain into the North American for the pnr
pose Of executing intanter The construction which Great
Britain places upon the convention say the American
people will demand OF their Executive that all the naval
force the home station should be ordered there
santly to protect the American fishermen.
Sir, we have been told by the poet who most deeply
pluck the flower safety y and if may be told that there
is danger Of collision would answer at once, there
danger But if there were, il becomes the Executive i'm
mediatey TO resent that which can be looked upon only
ndgnity and insult 10 the nation. have fears
Mr. President that war is follow The apparent coIlis-
ion which has taken place between the two govern
has been put upon the American people in ordering this
British squadron into those seas without notice and ii
read the feelings of people argh they will demand
that like force shall be Instantly sent here order that
the rights of our people may be protected.
Sir do not profess the power TO construe the purpose
OF this movement on the part Of the British government
4
in of the late papers, but which, unfortunately
have al hand Within the last few days have
despatch from the Foreign Office OF Great Britain 10 the
Colonial Office, advising the Colonial Office OF this
menadvsing il that il was one that required celerty
and despatch, and requiring that measures should be
taken BY the Colonial Office to procure concert between
the British naval force and the colonial authorities The
assigned that this measure was taken the
part OF Great Britain preliminary TO certain negoa
tions. Now, what does this mean? l know not what
these negoatonsaIe but II II means anything, II means
that to negotiate under duresse. Ave. sir at this
day. that this great people, covering continent, and
numbering FIVE and twenty mil ons are to negotiate with
foreign feet on coast know not what the Presi-
dent has done, but claim TO know what the American
people expect OF him know that il be has done his
duty, the reply to the resolution of inquiry will be- 81
have ordered the whole naval force OF the country
those seas TO project the rights OF American fishermen
against British cannon" hope II will be the pleasure
OF the Senate 10 consider the resolution Immediately.
The PRESIDENT. The resolution is not under con-
sideraton except by unanimous consent II not object
ed 10, il will be considered.
No objection made.
Mr.. HAMLIN. Mr.. President as one of the repre-
sen,atves OF the State most intimately connected with
this subject desire express my qualification that the
chairman OF the Committee on Foreign Relations Mr
MAsoS] has fit TO call the attention OF the Sem
ate and OF the country TO the subject embraced in this
resolution and desire 10 yield most hearty and cordial
approval every word and sentiment that has been
pressed by that honorable senator We not permitted
TO know, at this tme precisely what the state oil affairs
between this country and Great Britain; and il is for the
purpose of knowing, so far as may be compatible with
the public interest, what is the precise state Of affairs,
that this resolution has been offered II is, indeed,
wonderful after treaty has been acquiesced in for
so long a period OF time, that without any previous
notice. armament OF that government should be sent
those waters What its peculiar objects, IL is i'm
possible for US TO tell. That there is some Interior
purpose beyond that which is apparent upon the face OF
the matter, is, IN my judgment, quite certain. In
deed, it has been whispeed-rumors have TO our
ears-ihis step has been taken in connexon with reci-
procity OF trade with the colonies upon all sides.
Whether il he so, and whether negotiation is to be de-
manded, or whether legislation is to be asked under
duress, am not permitted TO know. But il
such be the case is well said by the senator from
Virginia, il is very wonderful, indeed, that anything oil
that kind should be attempted by that government
Itis very important question: however, 10 the States
that compose the northern section OF this Union Their
interests are extensive, and the individuals who are
gagged in those fisheries are nurnerous and while the
treaties have been acquiesced in and construction
given to them by acquiescence Tor long period OF time,
is nevertheless true and well known BY all of us who
reside in the immediate vicinity, that there have been
many occasions for complaint, that their main principles
have been violated, and that fishermen have been
subjected to annoyance, and their vessels have been
conhscaed upon more than one occasion, when II Is
Justly believed they have not fallen within the provisions
OF the treaty spuatons VI is not my purpose al this
time TO enter into elaborate account OF the extent OF
that interest," the number OF persons who directly
connected with it, As class of people, however,
there are none who have urgent claims upon us
for the protection of their just rights Wherever naval
bate has been fought-upon the ocean, or upon the
akes-lhese men who have been interested in hese
fisheries have been the individuals who have added
ustre TO flag in every such engagement lhey are,
indeed entitled TO all the protection which the treaty
stpulaons OF the two governments can give them; and
reoiced that the chairman Of The proper committee