Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-07-31

fishing vessel has already been taken by the British
naval force there, and carried into British port that
number of citizens, with their property, while
gagged in their usual pursuits and in the exercise Of rights
not questioned for thirty years. and entitled to pro-
lection, have been captured on the high by
thorized British naval force and carried prisoners into
British port and there detained for trial by British
1t is true sir learn from another source and rejoice
at it, that in the spirit which belongs and becomes
people, sufficient number from other vessels organized
and armed themselves and pursued the marauder and
cut the vessel out again, leaving her commander it is
said, still prisoner.
Such the publications. and they are not disputed
Now, that be not information upon which TO act,
should like TO know what would be the character of in
formation to induce the Senator to act 1t is in the face
Of these facts published to the world by the Secretary
Of State that ask for what else the Executive may
know, what he has done, and what he to do We
surely are entitled to such further Information indeed
we need it. if to do duty, and do it intelh
gently and effectively.
Mr.. DAWSON, The Senator win perceive that / am
in favor OF the resolution have announced that fact
and you entitled to that. The gertlemaa COED
on discussing point that never raised way the
other
Mr.. B0RLAND. The Senator said we had no informa-
ton upon which it was proper to act. ~
Mr.. DAWSON Upon which it was proper to'make an
attack upon the Executive branch Of the Government
That was the issue.
Mr.. BoRLAND. As to the declaration of the Senator
that these things occurred long ago as the sixth of
July the letter of the Secretary of State is dated the
10th instant only three days ago. and far have
any knowledge at all the subject it has all to
within three days. If ii long ago the Senator
has sad there might be time for the first flush of excite
ment to have passed away; and the Senator might well
thatts out of place Perhaps there much
excitement as the Senator supposes not much may
lead to war But If there be cause for excitement
when, upon the authority of the Secretary Of State
are told that citizens have been nterered with in the
rghtfu pursuit Of their business that their rights have
been violated their persons violated and their property
taken by armed force II the Senator finds no cause
for excitement in all this and of against
an Executive that neither puts stop to it himself
calls upon us to do So then know not when or where
or In what he could find cause In such state of things
think negotiations are out of place 1t is time something
were done either by the Executive or by us.
Mr.. SEWARD. This sis either grave question it is
not If it is trivial one, time is only wasted in discuss
ing It, If it is serious one, it is worth while to know
what we are dispung about. Now, certainly not
disputlng about this call for information for
nimousy in favor of that far it is possible to
tain from the sentiments expressed by gentlemen this
hoor Then the only question about which there is any
dispute is whether any fault should be attached to the
Executive branch Of the Government thus far submit
to Senators that there be prospect however dim and
distant OF war with Great Britain it is important
and serious question: and of the best modes for losing
the advantages in negotiation either for securing
rights or for preventing that is to show the British
nation at the outset that not agreed among
Selves that taking task an Executive depart
ment OF our Government for want of sufficient promptness
in securing our interests But let that pass.
What evidence is there that the Executive has failed or
that the Secretary of State has failed is about to fall
ter In securing the national rights? Why first know
ledge OF this question from q publication Of his
own announcing it to the country and declaring that in
hs opinion the right of the question side
and that very communication made before he had
ed. Showing fhst tho p0sof aasamsi ny'nerritsh Go
vernmen is wrong and that the position assumed by the
fishermen is right The Secretary of State is already
mitted What then is wrong? Gentlemen say that he is
proceeding to negotiate while there armed force col
lected by the opposite party compel us if viii
gotiae, negotiate under threats Sir ii is
the business of the Secretary of State and Of the Govern
ment always to be ready in my humble Judgment to
gtae under all circumstances whether there be threats
hreats-whether there be force or no force but
the manner and the spirit and the Of the nego-
ation win be varied by the position that the opposing
party may occupy And there is nothing new in this We
have treaty that is called the Treaty of Washington,
which settled conflicting boundary claims between the
United States embracing portion Of the State of Maine
and the Province of New Brunswick, and 1t
mated, as the negotiation held while both parties
standing the line ready, if the negotiation failed
to establish their respective pretensions by force.
Sir, sent Minister to Mexico to negotiate the pay
ment for indemnity for commercial obligations and other
claims; but at the same time we marched force to the
Rio Grande and afterwards dictated the terms of
peace to Mexico with victorious army in her capital
agree that the parties should be made equal equal in
every advantage for negotiations and if it be true-and
there to be ground believe it is-that the British
Government has resored to the extremely improper
of collecting force in those waters preliminary
the negotiation, then subscribe every word which
piled in his resolution that should be represented
there by equal force One object of this resolution is
ascertain from the President whether he has such
force Either believe that he has sent such force or
believe that be has not If with the Sena
tor from Connecticut Mr. ToUcEY that he has not and
that he is ndsposed to do So and will not then it is an
insult the President to ask him if he has the force
which have concluded in minds that he viii
not send We should Mt proceed to a vote of Gen.
sure, and not to resolution of inquiry If IL would be
proper send force bound to believe that the
xwk,a -
time and the Of sending that force and here
fore repeat that in the very are inquiring
whether force has been sent il is dscourteous to the
President as it is unwise and mprudont to bestov CEN
sure for not having done that which we imply that we
suppose he have done, will yet do in coed season
On the whole, necessity for any excitement on
this subject. with Great Britain will be no trhine
affair, and, as said before viii 20 into either nego-
taton or war; and come out Of il safely If we are
go into it, keeping cool and taking time and taking
every advantage Of circumstances which may arise.
need not say that when such exigency comes shall
be well prepared to meet it, its responsibilities and its
consequences, and to stand long and firmly by the
tonsl rights and dignity any here elsewhere
Mr. BELL. Mr.. President, do not wish to continue
this discussion by going into any expression my views
the various suggestions which have been thrown out
but wish TO say a word or two upon one point have
listened with great deal Of interest-with more than
nterest-to all that has been suggested on this
subject ON both sides Of the chamber have listened
with great deal Of pleasure much that has been said
accord with much Of but there is view one suc
gestionand the whole debate very suggestive to my
mind-which has not yet been thrown out.
do not think there is any real to apprehend war
between the two countries growing Of this transac
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