The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-06
BY RoBEnT AIMS Rome.
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF MIR. JOHN M. CLAYTON
OF DELAWARE,


SPEECH OF MIR. JOHN M CLAYTON,
DELAWARE,
In vindication Of the Central American treaty concluded
with Great Britain on the 18th April 1850; delivered
in the Senate March and ., 1883.
Mr. CLAYTON said In rising for the first tms after
long absence, TO address the Senate labor under some
embarrassment from observing that the gentlemen around
me are generally strangers 10 me, aud that not single
individual OF all my ancient associates who served WIN
me in this body tweny-o years ago is now present
iTTesislibly led back 10 The events oil period over
which nearly quarter OF century has spread It's man
e when those who filled this chamber as the represent
aves OF the sovereign States OF this Union mingled IN
discussion the great then before the country,
aud when the walls of this chamber daily rung with the
oehoss of their voices, a. they poured forth ihe logic
and the wisdom and The wi for which they so pre-.
emineDly disng usbed Their debates were but Justly
compared 10 the procession OF Roman triumph, moving
in dignity and order The lofty music OF lis march, and
plenng all over with the spois OF the civilized world.
They gone and the youngest and humblest OF their
body am left 10 tell The tale The last OF them who left
this of their srfes and contentious the pres
ent Vice President Of the United States. the Hon Wn
King who presided The deliberations OF the Sen
ale nearly twenty years with rpassed ability and
mparia'y, and who during long period occupied The
posi- OF chef distinction here the chairman OF the Com
m'ee on Foreign Relations
Statesman, yet friend to trn,h-of soul sincere,
In action faithful and In honor clear y
confess also. feeling of embarrassment from an.
other source. ! am called upon TO vlndicate, myself
here during my absence. II is the first time in the
course Of long life that have found il necessary
defend myself against degrading impnatons before any
public tribunal. The caumnies which have been nj
tered here all made in connexion with the treaty
Of the 10Th of April 1850; and ! intend. il health and
strength Eermit, to vndcae the course which adopted
while acting Secretary Of State under The adnnisa-
ton OF the amen.ed Taylor IN regard 10 the negotiation
oil that treaty.
merely for my vndcaon, but to enable others
IL the mnsalion Of the government to understand
subect upon which truth has been more perverted and
other topic Of the day In discharging this Duty shall
sndeayo TO speak of others with all possible respect
seny with what owe TO truth. 10 the country, and TO
myself All who recollect my course OF conduct while
occupied seat in this chamber will bear witness
that never assaiIed any man personally in debate
engaged in any controversy personal in lis character
obi sceipittm. But now let il be well understood by
all here that tor every word utter in debate hold my
self personally responsible everywhere as gentleman
and man OF honor. have very great contempt for that
class OF puppies whose courage is evinced by their ST.
ence when they are hung up by the When attacked
will defend myself without the slightest regard 10
seQuences and in doing that, am liable to the in
rnilies Of other men, will carry the war into Africa
whenever think The assaant worthy OF my notice. On
this occasion much OF what ! intended to say must be
omitted. in consequence of the absence of the dstn
gushed senator IRON Michigan. (Mr CAss who intro
duced the discussion in This chamber OF Thursday, the
9th of January last regret his absence and the
Of cannot say those things which intended to say
10 him il he here, for do not much approve of The
modern plan OF attacking absent men, who can have
opportunity OIL ueleDulnk themselves on lne fpU now
ever, speaking OF the subjects referred 10 in that de-
BATE in which that senator was my principal accuser du-
ring my absence, must necessarily speak OF him, be
my own defence, for which have demanded lib
ery OF speech at the first moment after the Senate could
possibly hear me, would otherwise be uninlelligihe.
And will say further that am willing to remain here
till harvest ii necessary in order that all others who may
choose 10 reply to anything shall say may have full and
ample opportunity OF doing so.
At the time which have referred, the 9th Of jan
uary Last, the senator from Michigan in his place
and demanded an opportunity 10 make personal expla
nation Ia the course OF that explanation he distinctly
charged me, all the reports OF his remarks which ap
peared in the public prints that and the succeeding day
will show, with having recognised the British title in
Honduras, commonly called the Belize. My letter TO
Mr. Bulwer OF the 4th OF july 1850, completely dis
proves this accusation, and shows that carefully avoid
ed the very thing Of which he accuses Another
sion OF his speech afterwards appeared, charging
with having admitted by my letter thai Central America
Central America al all, and that the treaty did
not apply 10 any territory where Great Britain had any
of claim This also is dsproved by the letter Both
these statements did me gross injustice, and they went
the wings OF the lightning to all parts OF The country
before could possibly reu,e them. Ii is said lasehood
will travel league before truth can put on his boots,
Rut, sir, there was much grave and serious
cusaion than that II understand ii al all was a
charge that bad inserted in the letter TO Sir Henry l..
Bulwer direct falsehood; that ] had stated that Mr..
King the chairman Of the Committee on Foreign Rela
uons the chosen organ OF the Senate to communicate
with mc-as much the organ OF this body as was the
organ OF the President 10 communicate 10 the Senate
through hmhad informed me that the Senate perfectly
unJesiood al the time they voted upon the treaty of the
10Th OF April, 1850. that flsh Honduras not in
cluded in that treaty The senator fron Michigan de-
cared, in the presence OF the American Senate, that he
had that very morning himself waited on Mr. King and
bad received from Mr.. Kings lips the positive de.
NAL OF the assertion. Now, Mr. President, can under
stand this man Of has,y impulses might make great
mistake reference TO subject OF that character
and might misunderstood Mr.. King.
Bu, on the Saturday succeeding that debate there ap
pcaed in the public papers OF this city, under my own
hand vindcaion OF myself against the charge, and
ing the letter TO Sir Henry Bulwer informing me, in
the very words used by in the letter TO Sir Henry,
"iha, the Senate perfectly understood that British Hon
duras not included in the treaty" have the orig
inal letter before me. The senator from Michigan
surely that letter in the newspaper or he heard II
here in debate; Tor some OF my friends, TO whom owe
great aoknow Judgments for their defence OF the
occasion, brought that letter to the notice OF the senator
and II appears IRON the card OF Mr. Bragg gentleman
Of The other House and friend OF Mr.. King. published
on The Tuesday succeeding in the public papers OF the
city, that the honorable senator from Michigan must
himself have Mr. King after the morning which
ne made his accusation against and received from
Mi Kings own lips denial OF the statement which the
senator made this floor And, SIR, what followed that
The senator came into the Senate The Monday follow
ng and Mr. Bragg saes in bs letter, reiterated the
accusation against me 1t does appear upon the de-
bales that he did but this did appear, that he
enhrely silent regard 10 the whole matter OF his
ehage In referring the letter OF Mr. King he only
s-d mat he bad aothing TO do with II. his lett Mr..
nnE IN an unpleasant position as well az myself; and
w @stnslor never did me the justice on any occasion TO
,u"St he statement which he had made here on the 9th
oS o. January OF that feel that have great
70 complain, There was nothing in The personal rea-
oas W he senator from Michigan with myself to
ran. me IN lhe expectation that he would make such an