, 1852-10-09

The old British policy Of a war abroad
10 silence troubl S at home,' is now gen.r-
ousiy extended to us, on the right hand and
on the left. We may choose or refuse.
Let us look into the slate of things, not to
que, but simply to exhibit
Mexico poor, phantom, pale, sallow,
sick, nervous but venomous-is again in an
infants rage, insulting our flag, imprisoning
our consuls, and violating her national faith
and compacts with our citizans. Many per
sons take these facts into consideration, and
go to sleep to dream of bomb shells and
blood but the truth is, according to our
knowledge and belief, and as hasheretoforc
been demonstrated, Mexico is small game,
AMI can only be attended to at our leisure,
or when there is nothing larger or better in
tie woods.
The next object commanding our attcn.
ton is in reality some guns" but we are
happy to add that the present hostile atti-
tude of Great Britain towards the Yankee
fishermen, obtains suitable response
throughout Our broad Republic.
In 1918, treaty was entered into, which
provided certain restrictions, touching the
fisheries " within three marine miles Of any
Of the coasts, bays, creeks Or harbors of his
Britannia majesty's dominions in America"
II is true that Great Britain has long differed
from the American construction put upon
the language quoted yet our Interpretation
giving us limited participation in theproGt
answered all purposes very well, and smooth
ly, for more than thirty ycars-until recent
ly, Great Britain, under her present Minis
try, without due and timely notice 10 our
government declares her POSITION on the
fishing banks, with the formidable array OF
nineteen vessels Of war.
Our latest accounts inform us that seizures
were daily taking place, and out of the
twenty-one hundred American fishing crafts,
employing thirty thousand seamen, and
twelve million dollars capital, John Bull,
magnanimous, fat sided old gentleman, has
been having some delightful and delicious
pickings and, in the meantime, our gov
ernment has dispatched every Immediately
available vessel of our own navy, TO render
ready protection to American property and
rights. The subject naturally exciles the
popular pulse, and though many predict that
it will be amicably adjusted, we are forced to
think the times are somewhat squally and
SC out of joint" Our own inclmaIions are,
that all honorably consistent sacrifices should
b. made for preserving the present peace,
and that war should only be our remedy
when patience cries hold onough" But
if. all the reports that have reached us are
true, appearing TO require the exigency of a
war, II becomes no American on any part of
the continent to withhold an assent, nay, ao-
quesccnce in that necessity. Let Uncle
sam hand round the cartridgos-the Pacific
coast, we doubt not, will be ready to receive
its complement
The Secretary Of State, Mr.. Webster,
recently left Washington on visit to his
home in Marshfield, and the British minis
ter, Mr.. Champion, rumor says followed him
for negotiation. On Mr.. Webster's arri-
val at Marshfeld, in reply to the reception
speech, he took occasion to say that "lhe
fishermen shall be protected in all their
rights of property, and in all their rights of
occupation. To use a Marblehead phrase,
they shall be protected hook and line, bob
and sinker"
This is well said, and now let the great
expounder stand firm.
On this subject, in the U. S. Senate, a
spirited debate has been had The Hon.
Jas. M. Mason, from the Old Dominion"
the noble mother of a proud posterity of
States, was the first to hail the signs of
storm, and thunder forth defiance State
after State took up the word and promptly
was displayed an earnest and general reciro-
cation Of the worthy and patriotic impulse.
Mr.. Mason introduced resolution, call
ing upon the President for the correspond
ence, and said:
81 have no fears, Mr. President that war is to
follow the apparent collision which has taken place
between the two governmenisI but confess feel
deeply the indignation that has been put upon the
American people in the ordering Of tho British
squadron into those seas, without notice. and il
read the feelings of people right they win de-
mand that like force shall be Instantly sent there
in order that the rights of odH,people may be pro-
ocled. Sir, do not profess the power to coRsirue
the purpose on tho part of the British government
hut was very much impressed by dispatch |
which saw in one Of the late papers, (bol which,
have not al hand), within the last
few dSys-a dispatch from ihetForeign olise Of
Great Britain to the Colonial Office advising it Of
this movement, and advising that 1t was one requi-
ring celebrity and dspaieh and requiring that meas
ures should be taken by the Colonial ohee to pro-
cure concert between the British naval force and
The colonial authorities. TheIeason assigned was
that this measure was taken on the part Of Great
Britain, as preliminary 10 certain negotiations
Now, what does this mean / know not what 1