Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-02-12
DEBATE In THE SENATE.
IN NORTH AMERICA
IN sESArE, JAsuAnY q, 1853.

On motion by Mr. CASo the Senate proceeded 10 the
consideration Of the following resolution, which sub
mitted by him on the 25th instant
Resosd That the Committee on Foreign Relations be
strueted inquire and report whether and If
any what should be taken by the Senate in relation to the
declaration annexed the ratification the part
Britain Of the treaty concluded that country and the
United States April 49, 1885, and the letter Of the Secreta
ny Of State TO the British Minister the exchange of the
r Affiliations.
Mir. MANGUM. Mr.. President, hope the honorable
Senator from Michigan viii press this resolution to
consideration now but win let it be postponed until the
end of the session. We shall then have Executive SEES
son which such matters properly refer Besides sir,
at that time, upon these contested matters Of fact the
gentleman who had the principal agency in all this thing
the Secretary Of State under the late administration of
Gen. Taylor, will be here as member Of this body to
speak for himself and gentlemen think there IS much
in the mattsrf they think any thing can be made out
ofit-they can have an opportunity then to my it. AT
all events it will be agreeable to if the honorable gen.
eman who has introduced the resolution would suffer II
to lie until that time.
Besides Mr.. President there document in which
that gentleman who took part in negotiating the treaty
presented full report making the fullest and amplest
disclosures and understand, restricting the opera
tions and the effect of the treaty 10 the five Republics
which formerly constituted the confederation Of Central
America which report made to the President of the
United States and by him transmitted to the Senate
where it w printed, and laid upon the desk Of every
member Of this body.
Mr. BADGER lin his seat) n was sent to the House.
Mr. MANGUM. At all events if it sent to the
House its contents might have been known every
Der here from the courtesy existing between the
Houses. very much hope sir that the honorable Sena
tor will feel the force of the suggestion that this subject
should be postponed until the Executive session the
fourth of March, order that the gentleman who is
deeply interested may be here to make his expana
ton to this body and also the force of the suggestion
thatmaters Of this ought be discussed in Execu
tive session. 1t looking towards when gentlemen
never mean to do any thing more than talk about war
that what will end in. But it is looking towards war,
when gentlemen do not contemplate gentlemen dare not
avow that their object to involve this country in
for the country will sustain them in it. Why here
is the Monroe doctrine and all the rest to be carried out
in reference to little territory upon which you
scarcely make respectable potato patch; and
talking about going with the powerful nation
in the world upon such wild chase that when
after you have accomplished every thing and have gained
the victory, you will win nothing at all.
am not going into this discussion, Mr.. President for
think that discussions of this kind principally in
tended to have agency in disturbing the public mind
but think the public mind is calm summer
eve. do not think agitation here produces any
breeze beyond the pureus of this city, the hotbeds of
faction while the great massthe landed interest through
out the Unondo not feel its influence at ALL feel it
but the gentle stirring of breeze. But sir
if the public mind shall be agitated think this discus
sion ought to take place in Executive session. and not let
have all talk, talk, if the Of battle
when we have idea of going into extreme
certainly have not, for hope the honorable Sena
tor from Michigan will not press the resolution now; and
move that it be postponed until the fourth of March, to
be resumed in Executive session.
y
any charge that do not believe going to have
war from following up any investigation of any question
connected with the honor interest Of my country
have lived too long for that All this talk about has
been heard forty years ago. when the honorable gentle
man was young l heard it all then and trust
we shall always to when the honor and interest Of
the country require it, although i trust they will
require it. But Mr. President we shall be sure to have
war if we exclude all such questions from debera-
ons and leave the honor and interest of the country
the disposal of every foreign nation That is the very
Il at n and mn M mfr ha-
fore the world and declare rights American peo
plc that is not the way to get into 1t is saysh
submission that produces war.
Now, what the object of this resolution before
us? It resolution of inquiry, that is ALL whether
that treaty has been changed and if it changed
what proceedings ought take place consequence of
1t upon the part of the American people Mr. Clayton
has to do with it than you have Mr.. Presi
dent 1t is not personal matter il 10 but
it is question of vast national importance. We not
proposing investigate tho conduct Vf Mr.. Clayton
Mr. Bu ger in whatever. Tho obeUI or ttfs
resolution is simply consider the construction which
has been given to that treaty and to ascertain what
the obligations which sustain in consequence OF
the circumstances which attended the ratification Of that
treaty. That is all, Mr.. President.
have nothing to say about that, but have
few words to say about another point There is OBJ
lection to the consideration of this resolution, freely
confess There is objection which occurred to
until yesterday but which forcibly impresses itself
upon my mind and feel it to be my duty to the
Senate Of the very delicate and might almost say awful
position in which they will stand by passing this resolu
ton Why, sir that resolution introduced here by
me- and actually did not consult the President Of the
United States upon the subject all! Iavow il be-
fore the Senate and hope and trust that my rankness
will atone for my presumption Yes sir, we heard yes
terday from the Senator from New York, (fr SEWARD
in the American Senate and in the face Of the American
people, ayowal Of opposition to the resolution because
the Of the resolution did not consult with and did
obtain the sanction-that the word the sanction
Of the President Of the United States 1t is like the old
Norman French, "Le Roi le peu," the King wills
it." but little softened into the President sanctions
it," in plain English, the President wills IT, The first
inquiry therefore, before the Senate any such ques
ton which may be introduced upon the responsibility Of
Does the President will II p? dsayow any such doc
express my feelings upon such suggestion. On yes
terday Mr.. President we had long talk about Lord
George Bennck and his genealogy evncing the part
Of the gentleman who gave history Of his genealogy
tire fact that he pretty intimately acquainted with
lords, after all and he also talked about Mr. Pngton,
his friend and relation do not understand sir that
Lord George Bentnck dared get up in the British
House of Commons and press such objection this
to resolution. Not man, from John OGroat's
House to Lands End could be found who would dare
do he did, he would be dismissed from the councils
Of England forever after And yet here in the American
Senate in the middle Of the nineteenth century we are
told that must consult the President Of the United
States before to introduce q resolution into the
Senate disavow it, Mr.. President. | cannot argue
such question. Suppose such provision had been
serted in the constitution do you believe that the Anne
rican people would have sanctioned it? IL il had been
proposed in this body do you believe there would
been member to advocate it! Is there than
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