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

ton put upon the treaty from 1918 down to the present
day and that force sent there without notice. and sent
too in the fishing season. so that vessels engaged there
seized without warning, for violation Of this
of the treaty Of 1918.
express again my qualification that the Senator from
Virginia has presented this resolution shall vote for
it with great cordality and trust the consequences
growing of it will be only such win conduce to the
safety of this great public interest.
Mr. DAWSON. Mr. President / honor the motive
which prompted the introduction of this resolution but
sorry to be obliged to say that do not consider the
which the discussion has taken in character with
the motives which prompted it, Facts have been assumed
for the purpose of discussing this question with view
precisely intended be involved when the infoma-
ton shall come in Ii understand the of this
resolution being offered 1t is that the Senate is without
legitimate information the question and that it is de-
srabe to have in order that may thereby shape
action and in getting at this information intimatons
strong to be misunderstood objects too clear to be
have been inferred and commented upon
The Senator from Connecticut (Mf. ToUcEy says that
the Executive probably may want prompting this ques-
ton that he does understand the feelings the
try and particularly the feeling exhibited here When
has he exhibited want of interest in any great qes
tion From what public political act of his you
infer that he has been sleeping his post when honor
and Interest of the country involved? What Of
his ever authorized Senator rise in his place upon this
floor and presume that he is not in the discharge Of his
duty What circumstance has been suggested here that
would influence the mind of any Senator to lead
him to suppose that he is not acting upon the ques
ton the information which he has, and is seeking for
all other necessary and proper information And when
it that he failed to communicate to the Senate
any matter likely involve the honor the interest of
the nation? Never, sir. And why, then, talk about
prompting, urging and stimulating the Executive De-
partment of this Government to sustain its honor and its
influence?
/ would not have uttered one word upon this subject
but that every thing tending to party and to infu-
ence the public mind against the agents Of the Govern
nent Have got to this pass, that cannot discuss
even the grave question of probable without first at
tackng the character of the Representatives of the peo
pie in the head of of the Departments 1t is said
that this great interest of the North and that they
alive to it. And where has the North greater
sustain her interests than the present Secretary Of
State When is it that he has ever failed to meet any
duty devoving upon him in that respect? Never, sir;
never But am not going to be the occasion of nroduc
ing discussion. merely reply to gentlemen by saying
that this has all occurred within three and yet blame
is sought to be imputed to the Executive Department
Wait your time, gentlemen, with patience First obtain
your information and if the Executive any member of
his Cabinet has failed to discharge his duty, then stand
upon that which will be understood by the people, and
make your-attack. But standing air
readng nothing; and therefore should avoid max
ing any nsnuatons which mi ght to be ungenerous
unknd Even the absence of the Secretary of State
been spoken o-an absence created by the state Of
his health. Who supposes, Mr. President that when
question like this arisesa question, may say, almost
involving peace war-he, any other connected
with the administration Of this Government would fail in
the full discharge of his duty?
But Mr.. President, regret this for another reason
longer ago than yesterday in reply to the distinguished
Senator from Michigan, (Mr. CAss stated that there
was "war cloud now lowering over but how sea-
,onably this reminds of what is said in the best of
books, that I'VE know not what day hour may
bring forth" Can it be that all this talk of which
hear this moruing intended to frustrate my pre-
dction Of yesterday Laughter Sir, the people may
well INQUIRE why this discussion why this reference to
subjects upon which have information should have
erss ess sodsT AND WY Iyssd esdM from MEppa hsEs aaeP
has unquesticnaby put this matter in its proper light
He spoke of it as it ought to be spoken Of He said,
You have no official information and why will you need
lessly alarm the country? Let then wait with pa
tience This is Friday We can have the information oy
tomorrow or Monday but in the time much fear
that the public mind will become filed with apprehen-
sions The teegraphc wires win convey the information
the length and breadth of the Union that the ques
lion of war has been discussed here; that gentle
men have risen in passion, asking for information when
hey had none; and yet went to talk about war; and
bout the guns foreign country being brought to bear
u.s. and that the Government of this country would
,e forced to treat under the pointed artillery Of
ny? Sir ask in all candor and seriousness these
he facts No, sir they imaginngs mere ex-
,ressiens of gentlemen whose minds not informed as
the actual facts and yet it win 60 from one end of the
ountry to the other that there is "cloud of war
owerng over the country when nobody seriously believes
my such thing Hence is that say that honor the
motive which prompted this resolution of inquiry in order
hat the public mind may be queted in regard to the mat
er Is there Senator here who supposes for moment
hat the resolution will result in the communication to
his body any grounds which we shall have occasion
70 talk about war? Not one, sir; not one.
The papers which have been spoken Of as having been
published in relation to this subject really amount to
nothing So far as / comprehend the subject
IAN really see nothing but what is amcable between the
wo nations in favor of the resolution, and hope ii
will be passed
Mr. TOUCEY | viii reply to the question which the
Senator from Georgia has addressed to by asking
question Why has there been issued from the Depart
ment of State the letter which has appeared in the pub
lie prints And why has not the Executive, instead of
that naval force to protect the fishermen in the
enjoyment of their rights?
Mr.. DAWSON. Does the gentleman desire an answer
10 that question nowY
Mr. TOUCEY. Yes, sir.
Mr. DAWSON. l presume that If the fishermen have
deprived of their accustomed rights and the Presi
lent has been informed Of he has decharged his duty
n those statements with regard to the fishermen being
injured in their lust rights be true show them to be
and present to the papers In which the declaration is
made.
Mr. ToUCEY Does the Senator from Georgia say that
The President has naval force to our Northern wa
ters for the purpose OF protecting our fishermen
Mr. DAWSON. Did you understand me to say so
Mn TOUCEY | understood the Senator to intimate |
{, and wish him to be explicit
Mr. DAWSON. will respond to the inquiry because, |
arguing question in the Senate, take every gentle
upon his own statements He propounded to me the
question: why has not the President done SO and So and
lsked me to respond reply that If his facts be true
would presume that the President had discharged his
luty
Mr. TOUCEY The answer Of the gentleman is, that
,e presumes the President has discharged his duty How
has he discharged his duty? What has the Executive
lone The Secretary Of State has issued notice the
and can conceive Of object of that notice
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