Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-09-03

must now say word on the subject Of Mr. Russell,
and his overtures his negotiations called with the
British Government know ut least believe that he
had power TO negotiate with the British Govern
ment than had, because there is only one mode in
which such power could be conferred under the Consti
tuition and the law. Now sir, if he had been really
minated and appointed with the the Senate in
quality of Minister Plenipotentary to London, he then
would have had power to negotiate with the British
Government; but not otherwise. While state this,
hope shall be misunderstood suppose that it was
competent for Lord Castereagh, any body else to
question his authority any further than resulting from
his instructions 1t competent for the English di-
plomat to call for his instructions and powers; but
should forever lift up my hand and voice against the
right of any foreign Government to question the mode
by which this authority was deyoyed on the agent do
not nd that in this it has been but have no hest
tation in sayngbroad the declaration may be thought
fatgued as am and as little under my command my
Judgment such case may be supposed to be-that the
proposition of Mr. Russell to Lord Castlereagh in regard
TO the point of impressnent insult not upon him.
Lord Castlerea gh but upon you and the whole body
of the America People What was the offer? cannot
quote the word but the substance is impressed upon my
memory. 1t was that England should, in addition to
forthwith repeating the Orders in Council Immediately
consent to discontinue the mpressmen Of persons found
board American vessels with the understanding that
the British Government would assent to enter as soon
may be- into definite arrangements to the effect
This proposition called upon her TO yeld-whatg That
which, in the letter of the American Commissioners of
November IL, 1906, those gentlemen told England
would yield until she yielded the Tower of Lon
don, words to that effect point which she had
10
would yield That very thing being yielded Mr.. Rus
sell informed the British Ministry he ready to
negotiation for the suspension of hostes be-
tween the countries 1t insult upon every
man in the country, to call that proposal for negotia-
ton The declaration in the year 1906 1.-THE very to
which have referredD is contained in the letter in
this book in which our Government informed by
our Ministers at London, that England would not,
der any circumstances, abandon this right; and that
if the Ministers to consent to do SO, public
opinion would not allow fit Permit me, sir in passing
while noticing this letter of the 18th of November to call
the attention of the House to fact which mentioned
twice while the House sat with doors closed but which
have referred to in any of the public prints
and heard mentioned but by gentleman in private
conversation. is this: We all know Of the declara
ton Of the British Commissioners, superadded to the
jeced Treaty. after the PRONUNCIATION of the French de-
cree Of November 1906 we all know the handle made of
this note ground for the rejection Of that Treaty
and yet proof exists in this volume that than
month before the existence of the British Commissioners
Noe of the 3st December and nearly six weeks before
its existence officially known to the President of the
United States, that treatythe terms OF which and
thors of which have improperly been brought into question
before this Housethat treaty of 1906 condemned
Condemned, how believe that refer pretty readi
ly the evidence of the fact this book although have
not doubled down or dogs-earedi it.
Mr. r. here read from Letter from Mr.. Secretary
MADISON to Messrs. MONROE and PIYKNEY acknowledge
ing the receipt of information from them under the date
of November H. 1906 of the agreement of the Ministers
of the two Governments upon the proet of Treaty. with
copy Of the daught of it. In that Letter the Secretary
states the views of the President 1r JEFrERsoN)
follows:
The turn which the negotiation has taken not ex-
" pected and exacts much of regret of dsappont
81 ent The result of his 1.-THE PRESIDENTS
90 deliberations is that does not comport with his views
" Of the national sentiment Of the national policy that
SO any Treaty should be entered into with the British Gov
g ernment which would include article providing for
g the case Ecf Impressmeatl The PRESIDENT
as thinks it eligible under all circumstances that if
g satisfactory formal stipulation the subject Of
- Impressment be attainabe, the negotiation shall be
9 made 10 terminate without any formal compact what
1t not publicly known at the time lawyers
phrase that Government in the quo amino of
jectng that treaty and yet strange to tell the negoa
tors of that treaty Of 1906 put under the ban of
the Emperor of France but of Faction at home for having
dared to negotiate treaty with the obnoxious Noe' of
December from the British Commissioners attached to
it. Strange may appear the fact it is nevertheless
true, and is amenabe proof Of the weakness of
human nature enough TO be deprecated that the
admission of of these Commissioners of the United
Satesthese very missionaries of peace and concaton
into the Executive Councils of this country has been the
signal of War with Great Britain ) speak of facts:
have nothing to do with opinion the subject of them
will not trust myself on the subject of opinion speak
of the fact
And sir is it nothing to the bill which we are de-
batting for raising additional army Of twenty thousand
is it departure from order to hint this floor
at circumstance which all men are employed and
pied in discussing at their resides THAT this army, to
constitute aggregate of fftyfve thousand regular
troops about to be put under the control OF the man
who the author Of the Anonymous Letters at New
burgh ut the close of the Revolutionary War, melting
handful of men, the of the old American army
perhaps not numbering six thousand altogetherto give
the nation 2g Is that consideration to have
weight upon such question thisi With me- sir, it
conclusive will tell gentlemen both sides of the
House that Government man may despise calum-
ny-that the arrows of SANDER will fall blunt and harm
less upon hem-proyided that the Government and the
man be true itself and himself Yes, sir ask yourself
this question in regard any to whom about
to confde important trusts Does he pay his just debts
Is Of TRUTH Docs he discharge as he ought the
duties of friend brother, in society," After having
done that be his politics what they may and his pecu
arity of opinion politics what it may hes good
he acquires the esteem of all who know him he is mpcn
etrable vulgar caumny This Government oughto
employ Of real worth and capacity: II is not always
that those showing qualities attracting attention in private
fe companions of real capacity Do those who
administer the Government make rule to employ in the
public service but Of real capacity OF WORTH OF
Integrity, and of high character Do they give their con-
and Offices without fear favor affection, to
of responsibility and characterize such you would
in private life give your contracts TOT Or do they
bestow them, is done in Governments differently
constituted from ours where church preferment and mill
tary preerment sometimes made dirty job of Par
amentary interest? Do they employ Of clean hands,
with fair characters; is every catf without examin
ton welcome to their provided he bring with
him the proof Of his reachery to his former employers
1t depends these facts whether confidence is due TO
any administration of the Government.
Sir, have much yet TO say which appeared to me,
when rose, not to be unworthy of your attention; but
confess to you with feelings of something like contri
ton that my opinion this subject has, whilst address
ing you, undergone q change
There is one point, however, on which do not know
L.. o,yoo 10