The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-05-04

Same time, must cAudidfy cav. that think a il
an "a advised step. l have no doubt it has been
authorities. and that it has been passed inadvert
ont'y through the Foreign Once at London, with
out sufhcient confederation Of the circumstan
OF the case. ! think that the organization, the
ssoSeo organization into . colony of islands be
longing geographically - whatever may be the
care politically-to Central America, and within
81 h' OF tue Honduras coast, is, considering the
Just susceptibility of the American mind on this
sSeiectI~nich is not greater than would exis, in
Eng nd on similar subject and in a parallel
state IL afSairs-a very i-advised and indiscrest
sscf. l have no doubt the consent of the Home
1over nment has been surprised into it by the otr
cioos zeal OF the colonial authorities, and Ienter
taina strong expectation that when. through the
dispassionate representation OF this Government,
u shall be brought to the consideration Of the
British minister, it will be retraced. hope it
WILL think it will be a. II was in the of the
Sandwich Tslands in l8&3. You know that at the
time the United States fret agreed to recognise
the independence OF those isla nds. communi-
cation was made by me to that effect to the Briish
Minister for Foreign Affairs in London He agreed
that his Government would recognise their indie
pendence, and use lite influence to induce France
to do the same, The next news that came was that
Lord George Paulet, who commanded the Brtish
squadron In the Pacific, had seized the islands, had
struck the Hawaiian flag, and hoisted the flag of
England. The first thing done by the British
Government was TO disavow the rash and unau-
thorised act. 1t was the same thing with the sell
although the case is different, these islands having
for long time been in the unqualified, though
contested, possession of Great Britain, do think,
under all the circumstances of the case, that
calm and dispassionate representation from this
Government, this hasty step will be retraced.
With respect to the transactions at Truxillo,
have nothing but newspaper information on the
subject, and even that informs us that there has
been no bombardment, no cannonadiug of the
place, as at first reported; but Sir George Sey.
moor. the commander of the British squadron in
the West Indies, officer OF great moderation,
who is distinguished for bis friendly feelings to.
wards the United States, and at whose instance
the British Admiralty have very lately put in the
possession of Commodore Perry, commander of
the squadron sent out by this Government to ia
pan, a large number of charts and hydrograp hic
works-every thing, in short, To facilitate the expe
dluon-has sent a war steamer TO Truxillo to tell
the authorities there that they must recall an armed
party which they had sent the frontier to
break up the settlements Of the English wood cut
ters on the river Limas. | do not think that any
thing serious will grow out Of these transactions;
and can only say, that If there were disputed
boundary between US and Mexico, and Mexico
were to send an armed force to break up settle
ment OF Americans, and destroy their establish
nents, think We should tell them, in the planest
terms the English language contains, that the
united States do not understand that way of
settling boundary controversies.
The Senate will infer from what I have now
said, that do not apprehend any distur bance of
the peaceful relations between this country and
treat b-ltaiu IN consequence OF the state of things
In Central America. In the last speech which |
had the honor to make in the House of Represen-
tatlves, now eighteen years ago, expressed the
opinion that there was no danger of a war between
the United States and France, with whom our
friendly relations we're seriously menaced in con
sequence OF the delay of the French Chamber, to
make an appropriation to carry into effect Mr.
Rlves's treaty OF indemnify am not sorry in rails
ing my voice for the first time a member of the
Senate that ii is for the purpose of expressing
similar sentiments in reference to Great Britain
L. Is not because either in this in that /
am Indifferent 70 the interests or the honor of my
county Far otherwise, sir it is because do not
think they ate in danger. agree with the distu-
guished Senator from Illinois (Mr. DoUsLAs) that
England does not love In the relations of
countries which are governed by Constitutions by
farliaments, and by Congresses, there is no room
Tor love or for hate, for any sentimental inhu
ence; enlightened regard to the public interests il
tho only rule Of action. Il is only under absolute
governments-under monarch who, like Louis
XIV, can say 81 am the State''-that there is |
room for love and for hate. Between US and Eng
land and the rest of the constitutional powers of
Europe there Is room only for the influence of the
Dictates of an enlightened regard to the public
veal. But this will say, that persuaded at
this time that with all parties in England mu-
tually beneficial, peaceful intercourse with the
United States Is considered a cardinal principle
OF the policy OF the government; and think that
90 our side toward England, and toward Europe, |
we ought to consider a mutual benz fcial peace
iul intercourse as cardinal principle of our pc
hey.
1 cordially sympathiEe with the distinguished
Senator from Illinois in the glowing views that he
sntertains of the future growth and glory of our /
country. wish | could persuade him that this |
glorious future of America is not ncon sistent with
IN equally suspicious future for the friendly pow
IRE of Europe | wish could persuade him that |
hat part of the world is not exclusively the region
If tomes and monuments that he 80 graphically |
described; but that in every country in Europe,
more in some than in others, but visibly in ALL |
here is progress; that liberal ideas are at work;
hat popular institutions and influences are steadi
y forming themselves; that the moderation of the
aboring classes is going on, that education and
ocial comforts are making their way there. X is
rue beg the gentleman to believe me, ii is true;
Ind nothing will promote this favorable state of
hugs more than kindly sympathy and a sautary
Example on the part of this country. And will
lao say that there is no country in Europe that
rave visited, whatever temporary causes of
irritation may have existed with this government
'r that government, there is not country of Eu-
ope where the name and character of an Ameri-
AN citizen not direct passport to every good
otfice that a stranger can desire and nowhere
more than in England.
Sir, in views of the glorious future that
waits the Union are apt to regard geographi-
cal extension the measure and the index of our |
progress do not deny the general cor
rectness OF that impression 1t is necessary for the
formation of the highest type of national character
that it should be formed and exhibited upon gro md
and extensive scale. 1t cannot be developed within |
the bound OF petty state. Nor d. / admit that
his idea of geographical extension necessarily car
ries With it-though it does perhaps by natural az
of collision with other Powers But
Dir, think there is no fear, far geographical
extension is necessary, that shall in the natural
progress of things, have "a much of it, and rapid
~ he best interests of the country admit or re-
1uire. In the mean time, If we wish a real solid |
growth growth which will not bring |
us in collision with foreign Powers-we shall have
Il in twenty five years to hearts content: not |
by the geogra phica accession of dead acres; not |
oy the purchase of Cuba, by the partition of |
Mexico, but BY the simple peaceful increase of our
population.
Sir, have you we'll considered that that m ysterious
law which was promu gated the sixth day of the
Creation-"Be fruitful and multiply and replensh
the earth-will, in twenty five years of peace and
union--for il 10 all wrapped up in that-aided by
the foreign immigration, give another America
of living men "a large as that which we now pos.
sess? Yes, sir, far as living men are concerned
besides replacing the millions which will have
passed off the sta ge it will give all that the arm
of Omnpotepce could give US, il it should call up
from the depths of the Pacific, and join to the
Union another America populous ours. Ifby
any stroke of power policy you could to- morrow
extend your jurisdiction from Hudson's Bay to
Cape Horn, and take in every State and every
Government, and all their population, il would
not give you greater amount of population, in
GLIDING your own than you will have at the end of
twenty five years, by the simple law of increase,
aided by immig ration from abroad.
\ hall not 10 Nv ob>b ,uil