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

matter to the negotiation Of those in whose hands
this time That would be quite safe if it were made
the subject of popular agitation.
Mr.. BORLAND. do not come from portion of the
country which is supposed to be directly deeply inter
esed in the particular interests involved in the question
now before But sir, do feel deeply interested as
my constituents do every question which Affects The
honor of tks country and its proper relations with other
countries For that reason would add few words 70
what has been said.
most fully in the views which have been ea
pressed in favor of the adoption of the resoluton HOPE
it will be adopted unanimously. But, while do so,
must express also the astonshment and regret have
felt that there should be any necessity for it and that
instead of calling upon the President Cor information
upon this important subject the Excessive should have
failed commnnicate to rs voluntarily and once, all
that he has in regard to It, 1t cannot be said that the
Executive does not attach Importance TO the question it.
SELF make it matter of communication, for find in
the newspapers such communications from the Secretary
Of 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 communlca-
tionsthe sort Of proclamation to the fishermen,
whose interests directly the other to the
Boston editor, furnishing portion Of old official
cordand both together evincing, his part, familiar
acquaintance with the whole subect both past and pre-
set and showing that in certain sense he is not in
different TO its Importance And more and what regard
far serious by his manner of treating it, as sug
gested by the honorable Senator from Michigan sir
CAss, casting doubts over the rights OF our ctlzens-
rights which have before been questioned Thus, sir
the Secretary Of State has made the matter of
paper publication and popular discussion Now ask if
this subject involving the rights Of citizens as endan
gered by the hostile acts Of foreign force, be of suf
cient Importance to call forth the Secretary of State in
public proclamatons to the people of impending
danger from such source what has withheld his hand
from communicating all his information in regard to it to
the Houses of Congress- who alone competent to
deal with the question in its most serious aspect who
alone authorized and able take efficient
for the full protection Of the interests and honor OF the
country?
Sir it may be true, the Senator from Massachusetts,
has sad that the proposition for reciprocal trade between
the British colonies and the United States is at the bot
tom of this But ask, if that be sof oil the views he
expressed on be correct-fsuch has
been pursued be the way to open negotiations with us
Has it happened BEFORE in the whole history of
country, from the day when independence was ac-
knowedged by Great Britain until this Administration
that negotiations have been opened with through the
medium of cannons pointed against citizens ana our
ships? If there be such instance in our history,
confess my ignorance of it and would gladly have re-
maned in ignorance to my dying day that such thing
could be. But whether | be ignorant this point
not, very of thing-that its existence 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 liberation for at the other end of this
by those entrusted with the executive management
of foreign relations while should be held up before
the peoples eyes, win be inevitably to receive the
peoples condemnation it ought to receive it, in terms
the most decided and emphatic.
1t has been said in the of this discussion that
negotiation is perhaps going between the British Min
lister and the Secretary of State Boston If that be true
it is certainly extraordinary proceeding, that
gotations involving question of such Importance as
this should be carried away from the seat of Government
from the neghborhood and beyond the observation of the
whole Cabinet and of Congress, to remote town made
as II matter Of summer recreation rather than
ationa business here at the appropriate place. and
Ger legitimate Aocustemsd am appropriate influences
But not satisfied that Ms suggestion is true. So
far, IL to be newspaper rumor, which is
fully Offset by very positive newspnpor stetement which
contradcts that fatty. The New York Herald las
reliable for such information any paper receye
declares positively yesterday that Mr. Champion
neither then at Boston had been there at ALL and that
the that he and the Secretary of State
gagged in negotiations there has foundation whatever
in fact.
Mr. ADAMS have no objection to the passage Of
the resolution The resolution itself admonishes the SEN
ate that not advised of all the facts in relation to
this matter; and until advised and have all the
information that be obtained in reference to this
troversy, submit to Senators that it is not altogether
proper TO create panic about matters of which the
statement of every Senator shows not advised.
Articles in newspapers and such like ntimatons together
with letter from the Secretary of State is all the nfor-
nation which we have upon the subject The inquiries
contained in the resolution net only right and proper
but think they ought to be made and to receive early
Yet do not think 1t is the best policy for the
proper conduct of these negotiations that in this body
there should be a panic, denunciaons by the
side the other think this discussion is premature
that should obtain all the information that be OBJ
tanned before fearessly assert that will main
attn position l think should first ascertain
that right and then talk of maintaining posi-
ton. have fear sir, that Government will main
tain its position when that is discovered but first let
have the Information, and then determine whether not
right And If we find that right, then the
idea of either Great Britain any other Power holding
armed force this Government will only excite
smile the countenance Of every American citizen for
the British Government cannot far misunderstood the
American character 10 suppose that such course
would have any influence in determining any action
part which il might be desired by such Power that
we should take.
Mr.. SEWARD. / shall vote with very great pleasure
for the resolution Of the chairman of the Committee
Foreign Relations, Mr.. MAsos) have read it with
and perceive that IL is limited two objects
in the first place. call for the information in the posses
sion of the Executive branch Of the Government and in
the next place. for information to whether that branch
Of the Government has resored any for the
purpose Of exhibiting the part Of the United States
armed force in the waters which the of the
difficulties which have arisen nothing improper in
the calls made While all of feel the Importance Of
the fisheries the Northern shores TO the United States
1t must also be admitted that there Sateeither
Maine, for which the chairman Of the Committee Com
merce Mr.. HAMLN) has spoken Massachusetts, for
sionhat is interested than another in this ques
ton IL is very clear that there be collision Of the
Forces Of any portion Of the forces of Great Britain
and the United States the Bay of Fundy, in the
ters adjacent which will necessarily involve this whole
country in the blaze Of war; and if that event should arrive
there is no part of the Union that will be exempt from its
caamies and certainly that State which in part repre-
sent win be Of the first TO be visited with its respon
sibilities and ts'disasters.
While. therefore I admit he