Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-07-31

WASHINGTON, July 90, 1852.
g IRNT ETE ~.

18AAcEy
WAsHINeToN, July 90, 1859.
q SENATE.
81 After PETITIONS and Teports Mr.. Hunter reported
back the bill making appropriations for the support
Of the Military Academy, with some slight amend
nen,s; tie bill was than taken up, the amendments
agreed to and the bill ordered to third reading.
Subsequently, the bill further amended by adding
a section containing appropriation OF $4,000 for
the pay and mileage Of Senators, which had been
accidentally omitted in the deficiency bill as enrolled
1t was then passed. ~ az f-''fi - 3D.. =
Mr.. Mason submitted the following resolution:
Resoived, That the President of the United States
be requested 10 communicate the Senate it, in his
opinion, not incompatible with the public interests,
all correspondence file in executive departments
with the government of England its diplomatic re-
personalities, since the convention between the Unit
ed States and Great Britain, of October 20, 1918,
touching the fisheries the coast OF the British pos
sess ions in North America and the rights of the ci-
zens of the u S. engaged in such fisheries secur
ed by said convention and that the President be also
requested, under like Limitation, to inform the Senate
whether any of the naval forces Of the United States
have been ordered to the seas adjacent to the British
possessions in North America, to protect the rights
of American fishermen under said Convention of 1918,
since the receipt OF the intelligence that large and
unusual British naval force had been ordered there
to eL force certain alleged rights OF Great Britain un-
der said Convention.
Mr.. Mason thought il proper under the circumstan-
ces that the Senate should have this information.
The British government has revived claim which
has not been asserted for 80 years. Great Britain
knowing that the Northern seas were swarming with
American vessels certain seasons engaged in fish
ing, has taken the extraordinary step of sending a
large and unusual force there to deprive them OF the
rights they have enjoyed for that period. He regard
ed this act not only breach OF national comfy, but
also an insult and indignity to the American peo-
pie. -. .... .,
He thought it the clear duty of the President
to send Naval force there to maintain the rights OF
our fishermen. He had no apprehension of any war,
but thought that The feelings and spirit OF our people
de- ed should sustained.
1t intmated that the object of this force was in
the nature of preliminary steps to negotiations on this
subject. If then the object was to compel US to
negotiate under duress. If the President has done his
duty, he will that he has sent fleet to these
waters. Subsequently, Mr.. Mason said that It any
negotiations proposed he would be Tor stopping
them till that force Withdrawn If the Secretary
of State would exchange word write line in ne
gotiaon upon this subject until that force was with
drawn, he would greatly disaPPont his countrymen:
Mr.. Hamlin agreed with all Mr.. M had said, and
said that it supposed that this claim TO the fish
cries to aid in forwarding negotiations upon the
subject of reciprocal trade with Canada.
Mr.. Cass fully concurred in all that had been said
by MI. Mason. He never before witnessed such an
act sending naval force TO coerce negotiate ons.
Mr.. Davis thought there danger of war !;
that it would be all settled by the Secretary of State
and the British Minister ...
Mr.. Borland commented upon the neglect of the
President Of sending information to Congress upon
the subject while the Secretary of Stale was discus
sing the matter through the public prints. -
Mr.. Seward deprecated any excitement on this sub
iect. He thought it would be properly and well
settled.
Mr.. Rusk denounced the domineering conduct of
Great Britain and said that he would never vote for
any reciprocity under such duress.
Mr.. Toucey addressed the Senate in support Of the
resolution in defence of the American claims on the
fisheries, and complained that the President had not
already sent a M val force there.
Mr.. Dawson replied, but avowed himself to be in
favor of the resolution. He saw no prospect Of war
in this controversy.
Mr.. Pearce opposed the nature of the discussion.
The resolution assumed that We desired information
and yet Senators discussed the subject if they were
well informed on the subject Heasked what would
be the object OF naval force sent there what would
be the instructions given to the commander?
Mr.. Mason said he would instruct the naval COM
mandef to maintain the American fishermen in statu
quo; secure them the rights they enjoyed for 80
years.
Mr.. Pratt thought there far more danger of
war in this matter than in 81, 40 Great Britain has
placed her construction upon the treaty. and has sent
naval force there maintain that construction and
to drive off our fishermen. Our government has held
contrary opinion, and has told our countrymen of
it, and they have for thirty years enjoyed certain
rights under the American construction. Will our
government permit our fishermen to be driven off ;
Certainly not. naval force must be sent there to
protect them. If the English commander executes
The resolution was then agreed to, and the Senate
adjourned till Monday.