Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-02-26
DEBATE In THE SENATE.
CoLoNIzATIoN IN NORTH AMERIo
II SENATE, FrBprARY l4-Is CosrrsrArros.

Is SENATE, FEBRUARY l4-lN CONTINUATION. K II
The Senate resumed, in Committee of the Whole th
consideration Of the joint resolution eclaratory of Tia
views Of the United States respecting colonization on M
North American continent by European Powers, and rs
specting the Island of Cuba TN
Mr. DOUGLAS said: Mr. President Iregret the neces
sy which conceive 10 exist for trespassng on the at
tcnon Of the Senate to-day especially the postponemen
Of the deficiency BILL TO discuss the principles the Objects
and the effects Of the resolution Of the Senat from Mch
gan in regard to European colonization.
Thirty years ago Mr.. Monroe, in his message to Cont
gres, made memorable declaration with respect Eu
ropeon colonization upon this continent That declara
ton has since been fayorite subject OF uogiun
with orators politicians and statesmen Recently il has
assumed the dignifed appellation of the Monroe doc
ue II seems to be the part Of patriotism for all to
profess the doctrine while Government has scarcely
failed to repudate it, practically, whenever OPP
portunity for its observance has been presented The
Oregon treaty is noted case in point Prior thai
convention there British colony this continent
west Of the Rocky Mountains. The lIudsons Bay Com
pany confined, by its charter to the shores Of TIE
bay and TO the streams flowing into it, and the
try drained by them The western boundary of Canadt
hundreds of miles distant and there was no Euro
pean colony to be found in all that region on the Pac
stretching from California to the Russian poses
sions We had treaty Of non-occupancy With Great
Britain by the provisions of which neither party to
be permitted to COLOMBO or assume dominion any
portion of that territory We ahrogated that treaty of
non.occupancy and then entered into convention, by
the terms Of which the country in question divided
into two nearly equal parts by the parallel Of the forty
ninth degree of latitude and all the north confirmed
to Great Britain and that the south x the United
States. BY that treaty Great Britain conseed thatwe
might establish Territories and States south the forty
ninth parallel and the United States Great
Britain might to the north Of that parallel esabsh new
European colonies, in open and fragrant violation Of the
Monroe doctrine 1t is unnecessary for me to remind
the country, and especially my own constituents with
what energy and emphasis protested agains that con-
yentiou upon the ground that it carried whit the un
Jiato pnftb Tho The
consent of this Republic that British colonies might
be established that portion Of the North Ameican
tnent where existed before
Again. as late as 1880 convention was entred into
between the Government of the United States nd Great
Britan-called the Clayton and Buwer treat EVERY
article and provision of which is predicated upoI prac
teal negation and Reputation of what is know the
Monroe doctrine as shall concusvely establish before
close these remarks Since the ratification of thatreaty
and in defiance Of its express stpuatons as wei as Of
the Monroe declaration Great Britain has plane new
colony III Central America, known the colonof the
Bay Islands In view of this fact and with the ebony of
the Bay Islands in his minds eye, the venerable naor
from Michigan lays upon the table OF the Senate d asks
Us to affirm by votes, resolution in which lis de-
cared that WHILE SHOULD RESPECT
ED, ASIS WILL by THE UNITED STATES" the Atercan
continents CARE HENcEFoRTH not 10 be considerable sub
Jcts for FUTURE cooHiaion By any European Po~f and
that no FUTURE European colony or dominion sbd, ~a
tier CONSENT be planted established any pan Of tie
North -imericdn continent"
Now, sir before vote for this resolution, deere to
understand with clearness and precision its purpp and
meaning. Existing rights to be respected! What is
TO be The construction of this clause is ii that al colo
MES established in America by European Powers prior
to the passage Of this resolution are to be respected by
the United States existing rights ?! Is this solu-
ton 10 be understood formal and official declartion
by the Congress Of the United States Of acquesence
the seizure Of the islands in the Bay of Honduras and
the erection Of them into new British colony? Whe in
connexlon with this clause respecting existing rights
we take into consideration the one preceding it. IN which
1t Is declared that "HENCEToRTH the American cCti-
nents not open to European colonization, and the
clause Immediately succeeding it. which says that " no
future European colony dominion shall, with
sent, be planted the North American continent who
can doubt that Great Britain will feel herself authorized
To cpnsrue the resolution into declaration on our part
Of unconditional acquiescence in her right hold all the
colonies and dependencies she at this time may possess in
America i the Senate of the United States prepared
make such declaraton Is this Republic, In view Of
professions for the last thirty years, and Of pre-
sent and prospective position prepared to submit to such
result II we are let Us seal our lips and talk. no
more about European colonization upon the American
unens What is to redeem declarations upon this
subject in the future from utter contempt if fail to
yndcate the past, and meckly submit to the humiliation
OF the present. With ayowed policy Of thirty years
standing that no future European colonization is to be
permitted in Amerca-afirmed when there was no op-
portunty for enforcing it, and abandoned whenever
was presented for carrying it into practical effects il
now proposed to beat another retreat under of
ribe threats Of awful consequences when the offence shall
be repeated? HenccforM no future European colony
is 70 be planted in America cih consent 1t gra
tfyng TO learn that the United States going to
consent to the reputation Of the Monroe doctrine
again. No more Clayton and Bulwer treaties; no more
British alliances in Central America, New Granada
Mexico; more resolutions Of oblivion to protect ex-
listing rights Let England tremble, and Europe take
warning II the offence is repeated "Should the attempt
be made says the resolution it will leave the United
States fro 70 adopt such independent
ton may justly adopt in defence Of its rights and honor
Are not the United States now free to adopt such
sures as an independent nation may justly adopt in defence
Of Its rgts and honor2 Have not given the notice?
Is not thirty years sufficient notice. And hasit not been
repeated within the last eight years. and yet the deed is
done in contempt Of only the Monroe doctrine but Of
solemn treaty stipuations viii you ever have better
opportunity TO establish the doctrnea clearer right
yindcae or more fragrant wrong to redress? IL you
do not do it now, your henceforh" resolutions, in
spect 10 future attempts, may rs well be dispensed
with have no resolutions to bring forward in relation
to our foreign policy Circumstances have deprived me
81 the opportunity disposition to participate actively
IN the proceedings Of the Senate this session know not
what The present Administration has done or is doing in
reference to this question and willing to leave the
incoming Administration free to assume its position
anu 70 take the initiative unembarrassed by the action Of
the Senate.
My principal object in addressing the Senate to-day is
70 avail myself Of the opportunity now for the first time
presented by the removal Of the INJUNCTION of secrecy Of
explaining my for opposing the ratification Of the
Clayton and Bulwer treaty. In order clearly to under
stand the question, in all its bearings it is necessary to
advert TO the circumstances under which IL was
The Oregon boundary had been established and imrort
ant interests had grown in that Territory California
had been acquired and immense commerce had sprung
into existence lines Of steamers had been established
from New ork and New Orleans to Chagres, and from
Panama to California and Oregon American citizens had
acquired the right Of way and were engaged in the con-
struction Of railroad across the sthmus OF Panama
der the protection Of treaty stbulatons with New Ora
NADIA other American citizens had secured the right Of