Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-04-02
SPEECH OF MP. EDWARD EVERETT,
IN snNArE. MARcn II. l858.
OF MASSACHUSETTS
Of MASSACHUSETTS,
~ ne Gspaal american Treaty concluded wih
Great Britaia lie i9h april, 1850.


conducted with much ability in this place during the
last eight or ten days.
Ii was quite natural in fact ii unavoidable, that
the Senator from Delaware mir CLAYToN after return
ing to the Senate Of which for wenyou years he had
been Of the brightest ornaments should be DESTROYS
of awaiting himself Of the first opportunity Of vindcatng
the negotiation Of the treaty Of the 18th Of April e9O
which conducted by him under the direction Of Pre-
sidcnt Taylor. 1t not less matter OF course that
the chairman Of the Committee on Foreign Relations
(Mr. MASON and that the Senator from Illinois, dr
DoUGLAs who had taken part in the debates Of the as
session. should reply 10 the statements OF the hontfOe
Senator from Delaware. But, for my own part my num-
bic connection with the affairs Of Central America much
recent and slight Entirely stranger 70 the heso-
taon OF the treaty and not less stranger to the DEBATE
which took place in this chamber in the early part Of the
last session. should have considered it rather obasNe
to throw myself into the discussion of the general SUB
jects which have been conroverted with 50 much AFFINITY
by the gentlemen whom / have just alluded will
also take the liberty to say, that when took my place
apon this floor about three weeks agoand CONSIDER u
the highest honor Of my public life that have been per-
rnitted TO have here-I here in such state
Of complete exhaustion, bodily and mental after the IA
tigues of the last winter in another capacity that felt
myself altogether ndisposed to any considerable mental
exerton
But the discussion that has taken place in reference to
the history Of past has connected itself with the
present condition Of affairs in Central America, toward
which my attention has been recently called commu
ncaon made to the Department Of State III the early
part of February by the Minister of the British Govern
ment, at Washington with the express intimaton OF
wish that the purport Of that communication should IN
proper public form before the Government OF
the United States That done through the medium
of report from the Department OF State to the fres-
dent of the 10th of February which by him sent to
the two Houses on the 18th Of the same month That
communication seemed TO TO afford an opportunity OF
making effort with considerable prospect OF sue
cess bring all the difficult controyered matters IN that
quarter amicabe and desirable issue Ii seemed 10
particularly to suggest the propriety OF putting our
diplomatic relations with Central America upon better
and Efficient footing than they have stood upon Tor
time past This suggestion made by me TO the
President; II approved by him. by him submit
ted Congress- and has been honored by their sanctions
the Houses having made the requisite appropriation
for full minister to be by this Government to the
States Of Central America, to reside at either or any OF
the capitals OF those States respectively as he may tank
expedient aud thus to be able bring bear all the in
fuencc Of his character and station in reconcng the diff
cues which exist between those Republics and bring
ing the questions at issue between them aud US to an
amicable settlement
There other circumstances which led me suppose
that this propitiou for making this effort
and il does to from the character OF the recent
debate, that if it should now finally terminate without
any alusion those circumstances would stated
East Thursday leave upon the public mind not only
incorrect but somewhat painful impression to the
read state of affairs in that part of the world, and
connexion with them that the country would be alarmed
with the idea that the of affairs is critical in
that quarter than really H. To recy this impression
is the main object Of my addressing the Senate a. this
time.
Before 20 this wish to make my ackno wledgment
to the distinguished Senator from Illinois, MR. DoUGLAs
whom Do not at this in his place for the
rery complimentary notice he pleased take cf the
Eetter addressed by the Let Of December to the
Ministers Of France and England the subject Of the
tripartte convention relating Cuba. If could think
that he did not in the warmth Of the argument in which
he engaged, Oyerstate the merits OF that letter,
should certainly feel that with the favorable notice taken
of By distinguished judge, my highest ambition
public ought 10 bel satisfied Ii a subject Of
great difficulty Importance and deicacy dividing t. some
fnp NJ
III that matter 10 find out possible, and 10 assert line
of principle aud Of policy which would be generally ap
proved by the country which would show that it was
possible reconcile tho progressive spirit and tendency
OF the country and Of the with the preservation Of
the public faith, with the saucy Of the public honor,
and With the dictates Of an enlightened and liberal
servasm. This was the object which had in view and
if shall be thought in any degree haze attained it,
my utmost ambition will be satisfied.
Allow me to say other word, as have alluded q
this topic, OF personal Called was in the
month Of November last, without days preparation,
after retirement Of years from all active partci-
patton in political ife to occupy--but alas sir, how far
from linghe place Of u the foremost statesmen Of
the age called upon within three or four weeks, the
greater part Of which time passed in the hustle Of
public house. without book refer TO- without leisure
moment for research inquiry take up such mpor
questions the Lobcs Islands, the Crescent City
affair, the difficulty about the fisheries and then this last
great subject Of triparte conyention dispose Of all
tbese questions under the daily pressure Of the routine
the Of itself TO put to the test the
this task Of ordinary magnitude and one that
should ente person 10 charitable consideration
for any imperecton defect in the performance Of his
duty And, sir if in the State papers which was obg.
ed in very rapid succession, TO produce il should be
fOund under the scrutiny TO which they must OF
necessity be subjected that hings-as understand
i alleged 10 be the omitted which had better
been said that things put forward which had
better been reserved for other opportunities and some
things stated abstracy true but without sufficient qua
LITIGATION and guards if any thing Of this shall be found
that due allowance will be made / also conf
IDENTIFY il will still be found that there is nothing in
them committing the honor the interest Of the country
The honorable Senator from Illinois cited SEN
teEces from my letter Of the st Of December 1882 which
ne thought in direct contradiction the ground Of
constitutional principle with Of the provisions Of
the treaty which negotiated by my friend from Della
ware Vow SIR, think that if due allowance is mad c
Tor the entire difference in the Of the compacts,
and Of the relations ~ the contracting parties to the sub
jectmatter the total dssmiary in the geographical and
historical circumstances that give the character the
two conventions, it will be admitted that the constit-
tional doubt which expressed-for il was but doubt
and which applied IN the case does apply in the
other Sir, the compacts totally different One Of
them the Cuban convention, would not have received |
sure single vote in the Senate IL the Executive had
been Ill advised enough 70 send il here The other was
confrmel by majority largely exceeding that which was
required BY the constitution The Senator from Della
has said that he in the principles Of the
letter Of the st Of December and he has shown You that
the policy pursued BY him towards Cuba was precisely
the same that pursued BY the late Administration i
there is the difference which the Senator from Illinois
thinks there between Of the doctrines Of the Gu
ban letter and the principles Of the treaty should fee
that il behocyed quite much to look to my letter
il does the Senator from Delaware look his treaty
and instaad IL attacking him. should think it was muc
wiser FIR 70 look around find how | might FORTH
myself Ia fact my friend from Delaware is Of tn