The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-28
THE UNION WASHINGTON FRIDAY MORNING JANUARY 49, 1858

upon other matters and think il is time for us TO take
up the ordinary business OF the Senate and dispose OF il
hope this course will be puIsuedthe subject be referred
10 the committee, and the debate be postponed unn
port from that committee shall have been made upon IL
Mr. SHIELDS An attempt was made BY me shof'
ume-a few moments-ago, TO have this suoIecl post
poned for the purpose OF making a few observations
upon IL myself | did not intend TO make speech As
the Senate very well know, not given TO Inc pfac
lice OF occupying The Time and attention OF Tue Senate oy
making speeches, try, well as know how, 10 do
lille work here, and LILLE surprised al my friend
from California Mr. GwINl throwing me completely
out OF sight and cut OF question in this matter !
have not made speech this session nor did make
one during The last session, and do TO make
one Ny only object in desiring 10 get the floor
upon this question was, far as | knew how TO give
IL practical application and this proposed TO do IN a
very few observations trouble the Senate very sell
dom with speeches, as that honorable senator well
knows. Blu, agree with the honorable senator from
Virginia, Mr. MASON, that il is late TO arrest
this discussion. Should We do so, we will be arrestng
il midway
Two years ago brought forward. as will be well
recoiected by the Senate, proposition In relation 10
Cenlral America took the initiative here if there is
any honor in that have not yet inerfered in this
debate al ALL and | do not believe could throw any
light upon it. But know il is matter OF some I'M
poltance 10 my constituents And although am not
much OF talker, STILL having brought this matter for
ward at one time, intended TO say few words upon
that particular branch of the subject, and try TO give
something OF practical application 10 it But will no
force any observations OF mine upon the Senate | am
as anxious 10 go into some practical legislation as the
honorable senator from California is think, how.
ever, that the chairman OF the Committee Foreign Re
laions is fairly entitled 10 be heard upon this subject
and think il would be treating him badlyl care moth
ing about the treatment may receive myself for have
no claim upon the Senate in this particular case--but IL
would be treating him very badly, after this discussion
has so far not to permit him, chairman oil The
Committee on Foreign Relations, to present his views
upon this subject
Mr.. BUTLER. do not intend to interfere with the
rights OF any senator upon this floor but think This Is
case which calls Tor reference. Fan unable TO form
any Judgment upon this subject unless have the nior
nation before me The honorable senator from Virginia
Mr. MASON, j the chairman of the Committee For
egn Relations has made inquiry, and have no doubt
that those inquiries will enable him 10 bring forward
much information upon which the Senate form
Judgment upon this subject Ordinarily questions Of This
kind come before The Senate through executive
nicaons, and that think is much the best way But,
as this subject has been brought up for discussion open
Senate, and 10 take jurisdiction of matters OF
this kind without negotiation, 10 learn one import
ant fact; and that Is, whether Great Britain has commit
ted respass; and upon The rights Of what polt
ical body power has that trespass been committed 2
Now, this settlement or colonization the Bay OF Hon
duras is trespass either upon Guatemala. Honduras or
some other State there The honorable IRON yI
gina no doubt can give us much information to The
true character OF those States communities, what
ever you may please 10 call them And IL may BE- that,
the end, may be compelled 10 for something ike
commission to Guatemala to ascertain and guaranty her
rights as lar as our interest and policy concerned
But, before shall DO that. | wish to form jadgmen,
upon The question: How can form judgment until
have the necessary iEformalon And therefore would
suggest that reference OF this subject TO the Committee
on Foreign Relations should al take place. and thai
the honorable chairman OF that committee should give
the necessary information report, before he
makes his speech And will promise. senator, that
II he gives me fu information upon this subject, such
can understand, and such as can form judgment upon,
Will not make any speech myself, but will be satisfied
with the explanation he may make But do not see
what we can gain by carrying on This debate IN TINS dis
cursoy manner-thIs shooting al barn door all the time
and having no particular marx to shoot al We have
seen the honorable senator from Florida Mr.. MALLORY
discussing subject, and the honorable senator from
Virginia Mr.. MAsoN desires TO discuss another, each
separate and distinct from these resolutions. Now, ii
does strike me that this matter ought 10 be referred 10 the
Committee on Foreign Relations and then let their port
be made the vehicle OF information upon which shall
pronounce responsible judgment, as we are in some
measure Interfering with executive transactions say,
let this subject be al once referred.
Mr. HOUSTON Mr. President am not in favor oil refer
ring this resolution 10 committee anxious to hear
the honorable gentleman the chairman OF the Committee
on Foreign Relations MIR MASON Other gentlemen have
spoken who have not been intimately connected with
The subject, and should expect information from
HIN that would be important TO disposition OF this Ques
ton. want the privilege oil speaking upon The subject
myself. Mr. President have occupied but very little OF
the time OF this body this session. previous sessions
either; and though am anxious to see the California
railroad progress any other member OF this Senate,
imagine that we will not bring ii 10 any satisfactory con-
clusion this session. Until report is made by CON-
mttee OF this body do not think we will progress in
that matter at all shall against any reference OF
this resolution till hear The chairman OF the Com
mitlee on Foreign Relations
Mr.. GWlN. | do not wish, Mr.. President, 10 hinder
any gentleman here by making a motion 10 postpone
The senator from Illinois Mr. Shields knows very
well that should be very much delighted TO hear him
but there are many in his condition. do no, know but
nearly every member OF the Senate will be compelled 10
say something before come 10 final decisive vote up
this subject
Mr. SHIELDS The honorable senator will permit
say that have wish whatsoever TO irespasS up
the time of the Senate. Bat this much larger and
much important subject than that honorable senator
TO imagine have the honor to represent in this
body the military committee, and | wanted TO convert
this into wha, deemed TO be practical subleci-a sub
ect that interests him, having reference 10 the tortca
lion of the OF California, well as Of the southern
coast and involving other matters. ! felt that in
doing so would give IT, perhaps, about as practical an
application would receive in thus body. Whether
shall be permitted TO do not, not will, at
any rate, do my duty IN my own humble way
Mr.. GWIN, The senator from Illinois [ Mr.. SHELDsl
must recoleci that am chairman OF the Committee on
Naval Affairs and that understand the bearing of this
question probably well he does; because the State
of California reckon, is deeply interested ia this
troversy with England any member of this confedera
cy have doubt that this resolution is TO have an
important bearing upon the future history OF this
try; and therefore must give reasons Tor our
votes; and the question presents itself, whether, II no
practical question OF legislation up connected with
this resolution had not better lei the matter 90 over
for executive declaration, which IS all that is proposed
By this resolution That the question had in view
know the has examined this question in regafd
to the military defence Of the country, has collected vau
able information upon 1t, and hope the results OF his la
Dor will be put into the form OF law before this session
closes,
As TO any dlscouresy TO the chairman OF the Commit
Relations | ar dreamed ofl