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

signature as Secretary OF State that Great Britain has
ordered this large naval force there and mat 'here Is
danger oil that force coming in hostile collision win our
people; and The resolution OF the senator from Virginia
understand IL, is based upon that infornalon ana
very natural inferences from it, Mr. WebsleI as Sec,e-
ary OF State has published to the world. through !he
newspapers that such has been the action OF the British
government and he has given sort OF poltco-hlsiori-
cal account somewhat in detail OF this fishery question
And, part OF its present aspect, he says that an
American fishing vessel has already been taken by the
British naval force there, and carried into British
port; that number Of our citizens with their properly.
while engaged in their usual pursuits and the exercise
OF rights questioned for thirty years, and entitled TO
protection have been captured on the high seas by
an authorized British naval force, and carried prisoners
into British pert, and there detained for trial by Brit
sh courts. Hptme. sir, we learn from another source,
and rejoice at H. that, in the spirit which belongs to
and becomes our people, sufficient number from other
orgalpzed and armed themselves and pursued the
and .cut the vessel out" again, leaving her
| coRsnander, II Is said still prisoner
Such are the publications. and they are not disputed
Now, il that be not information upon which to act,
should like TO know what would be the character Of in
face Of these lacis, as published 10 the world by The
Secretary of Stale, that we ask for what else the Ex-
ecutiye may know, what he has done, and what he
means to dol We surely are entitled 10 such further
information; indeed. we need il, il we mean to do our
Duty and do itintelligently and effectively.
Mr DAWSON. The senator will perceive that am
in favor of the resolution. have announced that fact
and you are eiti,led that The gentleman goes on
discussing point that never ralsed one way or Inc
other
Mr.. BORLAND. The senator said we had no infor-
nation upon w.ich i was proper 70 act.
MIR. DAWSCNs Upon which 1t was proper to make
an attack upon the Executive branch OF the government
That was the iisue.
Mr. BORLAND As to the declaration OF the senator
that these things occurred so long ago the 9th of July
the letter Of lie Secretary Of State is dated on the 2o
instant, only three days ago and as lar as we have any
knowledge at all the subject, it has all come TO us
within three Days # was 50 long ago as the S senator
ment 10 have passed away and the senator might well
say that il is ou of place Perhaps there is not 50
much excitement the senator supposesnoi so much
as may lead 10 war But If there be for excite
men when, upn the authority OF the Secretary OF State
told tha citizens have been nterfered with
in the rghtful pursuit of their business that their rights
have been voated, their persons violated, and their
property taken by an armed force if the finds
OF excitement in all this and cause OF ceR-
against an Executive that neither puts stop to u
himself nor calls upon us 10 do so then know moi
when, or whee, in what, be would find cause. In
such state If things, think negotiations are out oi
place 1t is time something were done, either by the
MIR. SEWARD Mr.. President, either this is grave
question Is not II il be trivial one, the time u
wasted is discussing It, Ii II be serious question, II
is best that should understand what dsputing
about Now. certainly not disputing about the
objects proposed by this resolutions for we are all unan-
mously in favor OF them, lar as any expression oil
opinion has betn made by any senator upon this oor
Them the only question which dspuling about is
is there any fault 10 be found with the executive de-
partment Of this government thus far IN relation 70 this
there be prospect, however dim and distant, OF wal
with Great Britain that important and serious CUES
ton and one OF the best ways for ns TO WIN disad
vantage either in negotiation war; Is TO show 10 the
British government and TO the world in the outset tha
agreed among ourseves-that we, the legis-
ature excited that are already taking to task
the executive branch OF the government for the want o
sufficient promptness in securing our interests. But lei
that pass, sif.
What evidence is there that the executive branch oil
the government has failed that the Secretary OF State
has ailed or is about fail in securing TO our just
rights Why, first knowledge OF this question comes
to US from publication OF his announcing II 10 the
country and that very publication assumes-before be
had lime examine the facts The evidence which has
since been dsclosed-tha the position assumed by Great
Britain wrong. and that the position assumed by the
fishermen right That is TO say that the right of the
controversy is with u.s. That is already committed to
us What, then, is wrongi What more is wanted
Honorable gentlemen say that the Secretary is proposing
negotiate while there is armed force collected by
the opposite party TO compel TO negotiate, if we will
negotiate, to negotiate under menace' How do we
that Blu, suppose the fact TO be so. il is the bust
ness OF the Secretary OF State and OF the government
also 10 be really negotiate under all circumstances
whether there be threats or no-ihat Is, in my humble
Judgment, whether there be force not But the
and spirit and terms OF the negotiation will be varied
altogether by the position which the opposing party may
occupy.
There is nothing in this We had treaty called
the treaty of Washington, which settled conflicting
boundary claims between the United States and Great
Britain embracing portion OF territory claimed by the
State OF Maine the sde and the provinces OF New
Brunswick the other; and the negotiation was held
and the treaty concluded while both parties
standing upon the line eadyf the negotiation should
fa-to asser, and establish their respective claims by
force Sir we sent minister 10 Mexico to negotiate
for the payment oil ndemnites and other caims while
at the same time marched force to the banks OF thu
Rio Grande TO maintain claims, and afterwards W,
dictated the terms OF peace 10 Mexico with victorious
| army in her capital
| | agree that the parties should be made equal-equa
in every advantage-for negotiaton and if il be true
and confess that there seems to be ground TO believe
that is uethat the British government have resertet
j 10 the extreme and improper measure OF collecting
lorce in these waters preliminary TO negotiation ther
subscribe every word that has been suggested by III,
senator from Virginia MIR. MAsosl in his resolution
that shall be represented there by equal force.
The object of OF these resolutions Is 10 ascertain
whether the President has ordered sueh force there
Either we believe that he has, or that he has not
assume, with the honorable senator from Connecticut
M. ToucEY that he has not, and that he il indispose
20 do so, and will not do rs an insult TO the Presi
dent to ask him whether be has sent force, since
that case already satisfied that he has not sent VI
a force, and will not. Assuming The case as stated b,
that SENATOR ought rather to censure the President
once than 10 insult him with resolution OF inguir
that means nothing.
II be proper that force shall be sent there, we
bound to presume that the executive departmen-whic
has charge in the first instance OF the whole case
knows the time and the manner in which to send III
proper force. And while by very act we are inqni
dscoarteous the President, but il is unwise and i'm
prudent TO beslow censure upon the President for nc
having done that which imply, that we suppose ma
have been done, or be may yet seasonably do.
repeat them that there is necessity for excite
ment upon this subject OF war with Great Britain A
have said before, shall go into either negotiation
even war more wisely, and come out OF more saie
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