The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-25
CONGRESSIONAL.
DGFERRED DEBA rE.
FRIDAY, JULY 20. 1882.


The Senate having under consideration the resolution
introduced by Mr. MASON, and the debate having pro-
ceeded as published yesterday,
Mr. BORLAND said do not come from portion OF
the country which supposed 10 be directly or deeply
interested ia the particular Interests involved 10 the ques
ton now before But, sir, do feel deeply inter-
es,ed, my constituents do. in every question which
affects the honor OF this country and its proper relations
with other countries. For that reason would add a
few words to what has been said
concur most fully in the views which have been ex-
pressed IN favor OF the adoption OF the resolution !
hope il will be adopted unanimously But while /
do so, must express also the astonshment and re-.
gret have felt that there should be any necessity
for ii and that instead oil calling upon the Pres
ident for information upon this important subject, the
Executive should have failed to communicate 10 us,
voluntarily and at once, all that he has in regard TO
it, Ii cannot be said that the Executive does not at
ach importance to the question itself, 10 make il a
matter OF communication, for we find in the news.
papers such communications from the Secretary oi
State and have here, IN late New York paper, dated
two days ago, letter from him TO the editor OF Boston
newspaper on this subject. In those Communications
the one sort of proclamation 10 the fishermen whose
interests are directly nvovedand the other the Bos-
ton editor, furnishing portion OF old official record
and both together evincing on his part familiar
quansnce with the whole subject both past and present
and showing that in certain sense he Is not indifferent
TO its importance. And more, and what regard far
more serious by his Of treating it, suggested
by The honorable senator from Michigan, Mr. CAss,
casting doubts the rights OF citizens-rghts
which have not before been questioned Thus sir, the
Secretary of State has made The matter Of newspa-
per publication and popular discussion. Now, ask il
this subject, involving the rights OF our citizens
dangeed by the hostile acts OF foreign force be of suf
6cient importance call forth The Secretary OF State in
public procamations TO warn the people OF impending
danger from such source what has withheld his hand
from communicating all his information in regard 10 il to
the two houses OF Congress- who alone competent
to deal with the question in its most serious aspect who
alone are authorized and able to take efficient
for the full protection of the interests and honor Of the
country
Sir, il may be true, as the from Massachusetts
has sand that the proposition for reciprocal trade between
the British colonies and the United States is the bot
tom Of this But, ask il that be soif all the views
he expressed that subject be correctlf such
as has been pursued be the way to open negotiations
with us' Has il ever happened before, in the whole
history of country from the day when ndepend-
ence was acknowledged by Great Britain until this ad
mnisation that negotiations have been opened with US
through the medium OF cannon pointed against our cit
zens and ships Ii there be such instance in
history confess my ignorance OF IL and would gladly
have remained in ignorance TO my dying day that such
thing could be. Bnt, whether be Ignorant on this
point or not very OF thlngthat its exist
at the present time will not only not be tolerated
by the American people, and should not be tolerated by
their representatives in either house of Congress and
more sir, its toeraon Tor moment at the other end
of this avenue by those nirused with the executive
management OF our foreign relations while should be
held up before the peoples eyes. will be inevitably sure
10 receive the peoples condemnation, as ought to
ceive il, in terms the most decided and emphatic.
ithas been said IN the course oil this discussion, that
negotiation perhaps Is gong on be,weea The British
tue it is certainly most extraordinary proceeding that
negotiations involving question OF such importance
this, should be carried away from the seat Of govern
OF the whole cabinet and OF Congress, TO remote town
made, were, matter OF summer Tecteation rather
than national business here, at the appropriate place
and under legitimate, accustomed, and appropriate infu
ences But am not satisfied that this suggestion is true
SO far it 10 be newspaper rumor, which il
fully Offset by very positive newspaper statement which
conlradicts that rumor flay. The New York Herald
(as reliable Tor such information any paper we receve
declares positively yesterday, that Mr. Champion was
neither then at Boston, nor had been there at al and
that the that he and the Secretary of Stale
engaged in negotiations there has no foundation what
MIR. ADAMS. | have no objection to the passage oil
the resolution under consideration The fact that the
resolution itself is oil inquiry admonshes the Senate
that advised Of all the facts in relation 10 this
matter and until adv sed and have all the nfor
nation that can be obtained IN reference TO this cono
versy, respectfully submit TO the consideration OF The
distinguished senator's who have spoken upon this sub
ject that until obtan the reply 10 the resolution OF in
qury, II IS not altogether proper to create war panIc
about matters OF which the statement OF every senator
shows not advised. Articles 10 newspapers, ant
such like inmatons, together with letter from the Sec
reiary OF State, are all the information which we have
upon the subject The inquiries contained in the resou
not only right and proper, but think they ougb
TO be made. and 10 receive early answer Yet do no
think II is the best policy Tor the proper conduct OF thes
negotiations that in this body there should be panic
denuncations by the side or by the other hint
this discussion premature that we should obtain all thu
information that be obtained before we so fearlessy
assert, as the distinguished senator from Michigan Nr
CAssl has done, that we will maintain our position
think should first ascertain that in the right
and then we may talk OF maintaining our position
have no lear, sir but that our government Will maintain
It's position when that is discovered bat nrs let have
the information, and then determine whether or Rot We
right And ii we find that we right, then the
idea Of either Great Britain any other power hodins
an armed force this government will only excite
smile OF mrth on the countenance OF every American
citizen Tor the British government cannot Tar msun.
desiaDd the American character suppose that such
course would have any influence in determining AMI
action on onr part which IT might be desired by such
power that we should take.
Mr.. SEWARD. 1 shall vote with great pleasure for
the resolutions introduced by the honorable senator from
Virginia, which have read with care | perceive
that they luniled 10 two objects in the fret place.
call for the Information the possession OF the govern
meut in relation the facts OF the and in the sec
ond place, inquiry whether the government has
sorted to any measures for the purpose OF exhibiting
force upon the part of the United States in the waters
where this controversy has arisen. see nothing IN the
resolution to call for discussion We, all OF u.s. feel the
Importance OF these fisheries TO the United States ]
must also be admitted that there is State more inter
ested In this matter than another not even Name
whose senator Mr. HAMLsl has spoken on the subject
nor Massachusetts, the senator from which State Mr.
DAvis has deprecated excitement is very clear tha
there can be collision between the naval forces o
res, Britain and those OF the United States IN the Bay
OF rpndy, or the waters OF the British possessions
which will not involve this whole Union in blaze o
war; and when that comes, there - no part o
mus Union which will be exempt from the calaml-
ues oil that war. Certainly that State which 10
part represent viii be among the hrst TO meet lls
responsibilities aud share in its disasters. While
inereIore, ! see and admit the proprety OF calling or
lns Information and while il be tue that the Brit.
sh government has indeed exhibited a force in those
al .f,opt mar