The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-01-28
THIRTY-SECoND CONGRESS.
SECOND sKssIoN.
SENATE


THE cLAxros-suLwER TREATY.
The Sanate then proceeded to consider the follow
ing resolution proposed by Mr. CAss on Tuesday
last:
Re.e.sed. That the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tons be instructed to inquire and report whether
any measures. aad If any what. should be taken
by the Senate in relation to the declaration an
nexed to the ratification ON the part Of Great Bri.
tain Of the treaty Qencladed between that country
and tho United Suites, April 10, 1850; and to the
letter of the Secretary Of State to the British min
lister on the exchange of the ratifications
Mr.. MANGUM vas in favor of pestponing the
subject till the end of the session, when il could be
called up in the Executive session. after the fourth
of March. The gentleman who had conducted this
matter under General Taylor's administration
would then be here to speak for himself, and de-
fsnd his own course. This was no new matter,
Mr. Clayton reported this to the President who
communicated it to the House shortly after it &C
Cured. He hoped the resolution would be post
poned. All this debate looking towards war had
no practical tendency, for no Senator would avow
the purpose was war, party policy; no one
contemplates a war as likely to arise out of this
matter. The country would not sustain them in
it. Why then continue longer this warlike.debate,
and discuss this Monroe doctrine, concerning a
little island ON which could not be cultivated
spectacle potato patch? Why should we go to war
for such object with the greatest maritime
power of the world? He said he saw no bene.
fit to result from prslonging this debate upon
he subject of war, which no one contemplated; il
positively injurious to the business Congress
He moved the resolution be postponed till the fourth
of March next.
Mr. CASS said he was not to be deferred by anv
charge of not meaning TO go to war from follow.
ing up any investigation of any subject involving
the rights, interests, or honor of his country. He
was too old to be frightened by such remarks.
Peace was more securely preserved bv a strict at
tention to all matters affecting the national rights
than by inattention to them. SIavish submission
to wrong would produce war sooner than firm
and timely resistance. There was one objection
to this resolution which had never been presented
to him till yesterday 1t was that it had never re-
ceved the assent of the President, which was con-
sidered by the Senator from New York as indis-
pensaby necessary. The Senator, from bis ac-
Quaintance with Lord George Bentinck's pedigree
had shown he paid some attention to lords But
Lord Bentinck, had he uttered such a sentiment
in the English Commons, that no proposition could
be made without the assent of the king, would
have been, he deserved to be- scoffed at and rid
icued. He admitted this resolution was open to
that objections; and perhaps the Senator had better
President to obtain his consent
Mr. BELL said he hoped the resolution would
not be pressed at present. He thought this subject
had been debated enough. He thought the Sena-
tor from Mchiean MICH now forbear a IittIe IN
pressing these question: of foreign relations ON the
attention of the Senate That Senator had intro
duced resolution after resolution, had been heard
nnon them ali and in aunnlemental and amend
ed exnositions of his views. He tbonuht his
courtesy shown the Senator ought to he aat;.
factory to him, and that he ought now to AL
low the Senate some time to devote TO the prac
teal business of the Senate He thought the sen
timent of the country on this subject was nrettv
we'll understood; that some gentlemen in med
ding with it have burnt their fingers There was
now no question of veracity concerned in the mat
ter; and hat could be the object in referrip this
resolution to the committee If the COMMITTEES are
to report what measures are to be adopted the re-
solution should be examined before adopting it
There had been enough of war speeches to arouse
public sentiment on the subject in the debates
which have already taken place, without going
any further So far as declarations of Senators
could produce an effect on foreign governments
had not enough been said already? Had not the
arrogance and impudence of England and France
on several points been sufficiently rebuked 80 far
as debate could do il If the object of this resou
ton was to direct tie committee to report in favor
of giving notice OF the repeal of that treaty. then
ne was opposed to passi NO il now IF the object
was any one less than that, then the resolution
ought 70 go over till Mr.. Clayton should be here
to defend himself He argued at length to show
supplying the necessary military defences of the
country Would do far m IRE TO nreaerve neaca ond
prevent aggression than any amount of paner re-
solves. pNpN- - -
Mr. MASON said he had no objection to the reso.
,ntion He tbongbt II verv n,ones - y. tta e .eso
inquired into bv The senate }or tbe ~ os
the country as to what effect the ratifcations Of
the treaty. have had on the treaty ;tseIf nd r. ~
ther the text of the treaty. has been chs neod a.
subsequent additions Contained in the notes accon.
panying the exchange of Publications.
tlpso letters nj fho O{;otor
had not been known to the Senate and II h.,t
RIGHT that the country shouId know hat So &c
any. had been produced bv them on tha ,raa,,,
The subject was now before the comm;ttsa ~.
still he would vote for the resol,,tion IL ~ ot
said "a was Supposed bv aome Senator that uos
colonization of the Bay Of Islands was v;olat;o If
the treaty; but he had said, and now ara;n sa;d
that if that colony was 40 established. no mattel
whether it was or WAS not a uioIation of H. .ot
one thing was certain that COLONY wonld have -
be discontinued he gave this az nothinc more
than his own opinion as a Senator. Bv it he did
not mean that a war was Imperative Wa wss |
the last resort in ali dicultes IF It conld he 40
shown that that colony was not pe
honor or safety Of the United States. he had No |
doubt but Great Britain would discnn,inre :. AZ ~
Mr.. BORLAND said that il .ss an;a. ~.
the course of the debate that siuent rom
bined TO attack the Senator 49, HI:eu were com
Senator from New York Corn nna,,eaI;. gan. Inc
and to- day il waa cont;nned ~, ~ ~ yesteroay,
North Carolina and Tennessee IT, Sua.oIs from
Michigan needed not his aid for =, Hvna.o: irom
and defeatine the Senator from NJ, aLqoisning
day be had proven bimseif connsta aolk yestet-
stand host He (Mr. b. would not atr;t ~ VIII van
ouished man. nor dig cornee from The orava "a
therefore would not reply to the Sepsta ss amu
New York - 0-9 - A
He then replied to Messrs BELL and M.,evn
contending that the Wing party had aiwavs
shown distrust for the virtue and intelIioence IF
the people, and therefore on every occason soneht