The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-25

his health and that he resorted there before any
nolice oil these difficulties had reached us in any
way whatever. He is there, recruiting, | hope,
MS strength and energies wisely, and hope we'll III he
has transferred to the mountains of New Hampshire the
negoalon upon this subject beg honorable senators
not 10 think that the latitude is at all unpropous to ne
gotiahon which will maintain the dignity and honor OF
this country for. ii recoec Alright il was upon those
very mountains only one or two years ago. that he is
sued that famous despatch which established the rea-
ton oil the United States OF America TO the despotic
powers Of Europe, (lhe Husemann letter) | do not
know whether II be true nor do care, that the repre-
sentative of the government of Great Britain has resort
ell 10 Boston for the purpose oil meeting and negotiating
with the Secretary of Stale II il be true, is WELL The
negotiation be conducted as well there as else where
II It be not true, think that the Secretary OF State
giving abundance evidence in the communications that
have already appeared upon the subject, that he is
alive to the question OF the interests OF these fishermen,
all know hun be loyal to the rights and dignity,
and honor oi the country shall therefore vote tor the
resolution
Mr. RUSK do not design, sir, 10 enter into this de-
bate a, any length at ALL but upon every statement Of the
here, il appears that is that sort OF conduct
upon the part OF Great Britain that we should meet
pretended that is for the purpose OF bringing about
enactment by this Congress for reciprocity 10 trade with
the British colonies Well sir il this be the true object
will never give vote, matter what my judgment
might be in regard TO the interests that may be involved
will never give vote 10 yield anything while British
cannon are stationed upon borders. II sad upon the
other hand that this is for the purpose OF bringing about
negotiations by which they shall acquire similar rights in
other sections of the country to those which claim
and which they have SO long conceded to u.s. in the
northern portion OF this country Sir is this the way 10
negotiate Is this the time that negotiations to be
opened between Great Britain and the United States by
the transmission here OF strong naval force No. sir
would not negotiate, would sanction any negotia
ton under such circumstances. would stop inquire
into the popriey and justice OF it, it asked for under
threats OF this description 1t is due ourselves,
would not be nsued in FUTURE that shall protect our
own rights, and that shall meet this demonstration
upon the part oil Great Britain with similar demonsra-
ton upon part, | would do nothing to provoke
from -but | would not submit to this domineering
spirit which is SO conspicuous in the conduct OF Great
Britain 10 regard to other nations. We have equal rights
anu under such circumstances we have to teach Great
Britain il she chooses to negotiate with cannonand we
shall have 10 teach IL to her al time ohertha
we can negotiate with similar instruments. And when
ever wrong committed, insult is offered il
time for us, If wish avoid the consequences, once
to show readiness TO teach her that there blows
be received well as TO be given. She has interests
upon The TO sacrifice in the event of war; well
ourseves and it is better for her that those interests
should be protected by fair and equal negotiation
rather than such negotiation will in the form
OF cannon and naval aTmaments.
MI. MASON. desire to be lndulged in one word
think can put the thing straight, far am
cerned, having originated the resolution ! assure
the honorable senator from Massachusetts,, Mr.. DAVIS
well as the senator from New York, Mr. SEwARD,l
that never had il in contemplation, have express.
ed any such purpose in this matter, TO substitute for
negotiation. Sir, If Great Britain had been content TO
submit this matter 10 negotiation, either upon shores
upon their island should not have called for the
formation would have left the matter in the hands of
The executive branch OF the government 10 which il
properly belongs. But when we are informed that
large and unusual naval force has been sent, with
ordinary despatch and CELEBRITY into those waters pre-
minary to negotatlon want 10 express TO the Senate
that il negotiations have begun would stop them. |
would not exchange one word or write one line on the
subject OF these fisheries until that force is withdrawn
II wished TO express that purpose Sir TO be
sdered IN possession OF these flsheresa possession
whether rghtfully wrongully obtained, acquesced in
by the other power for thirty odd years and the first
inumaiion which the American people have bad OF any
dispute IS that some twenty vessels-owar have been
ordered Immediately 10 these waters. | know not for
what purpose the Secretary oil State has gone to Masa
chusetts; know not for what purpose The British min
lister has gone there II he has gone there But do know
this That IL that honorable Secretary for whose intel
lect no entertains higher respeos than do,
changes one word with that minister pens line
until that force is withdrawo, be will dsappoint the
pectatons oil his countrymen
MIR. TOUCEY. trust that nothing has been said, or
will be said, IN this place that will operate adversely to
the important interest which is involved. ] concur
most fully in the sentiments OF the honorable senator
from Massachusetts with regard to the magnitude OF that
interest II has been cherished by the government
and people OF this country one OF the very highest
magnitude, not merely as an employment, but as
sery Tor seamen. feel the most entire confidence that
nothing which has been said, which will be said, in
this Senate will operate adversely TO that interest
must say however, that il II be proposed TO open nego
tatlon with regard to II under Ufe mouth OF British
cannon It is mode OF initiating negotiation with
gard 10 important interests which does not commend
itself to my Judgment citizen oil this country and
member OF this Senate What, sir after we have been
m possession oil this right with those before IRON
the first settlement OF the country down 10 this moment,
without the slightest nterupion-afier the British gov
eminent for period OF than thirty years. under the
treaty OF 1915 have acquiesced in the enjoyment OF this
right by the northern hshermen-are TO be in
terrup,ed in that right, and to open negotiation com
menced in this hostile manner' No, sir; trust that no
action OF this country will ever open anegotauon with
regard 10 any interest in this excepionabe, and, may
say, humilIating think, sir, II the executive
government OF this country now conducts this matter
with the spirit becoming 10 the people oil this country,
the first step will be TO demand withdrawal OF this
force. Why, sir what is the meaning OF this notice that
has been given through the public prints by the Secre
tary of State What is the object of i'll would like
10 hear the honorable senator from Massachusetts ex
plain what in his view is the object OF the notice from
the State Department TO the public. Is ii that our fisher
men shall withdraw from the waters which they have
been accustomed 10 frequent before the negotiation IS
openedl Is il that we are TO abandon our rights, and
then TO open negotiation under the mouths OF British
cannon Is that the object of IL III be, IL mode
OF conducting il which think the government will not
very cordially approve am sorry that have not that
confidence which perhaps ought TO have After what
have witnessed in Central America; after what have
witnessed upon the coast OF Cuba after what have
witnessed in reference this matter thus far confess
that my confidence is not strong perhaps II ought
to be Why, sir IT seems to me That the British gov
eminent Is rather disposed TO take hostile course
wards us, not only in Central America not only in the
force sent into the neighborhood OF Cuba but in the
large force which Is now sent into the neighborhood OF
Nova Scotia.
Sir return my thanks to the honorable chairman OF
the Committee on Foreign Relations, the senator from
Virginia, [Mr. Mason who has introduced this resou-
lion am very glad that the subject has been intro
duced here for am constrained to think that perhaps